Religion in Suriname

Religion in Suriname

According to recent census data, 40.7 percent of the population of Suriname is Christian, including Roman Catholics and other Protestant groups—among them Moravian, Lutheran, Dutch Reformed, Evangelical, Baptist, and Methodist. [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90268.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Suriname] . United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (September 14, 2007). "This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."] 20 percent of the population is Hindu, 13.5 percent is Muslim, 3.3 percent follow indigenous religions, 15 percent claim to not know their religion, 4.4 percent claim no faith, and 2.5 percent declare unspecified faiths. Indigenous religions are practiced by the Amerindian and Afro-descendant Maroon populations. Amerindians, found principally in the interior and to a lesser extent in coastal areas, practice shamanism, a worship of all living things, through a medicine man, or piaiman. Maroons, who inhabit the interior, worship nature through a practice that has no special name, and they also worship their ancestors through a rite called wintie. Citizens of Amerindian and Maroon origin who classify themselves as Christian often simultaneously follow indigenous religious customs, with the acknowledgment of their Christian church leaders.

The Jewish community numbers 150, and there are small numbers of Baha'is and Buddhists. Other groups include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and the World Islamic Call Society.

Missionaries are present.

Many political parties, including six of the eight governing coalition parties, have strong ethnic ties, and members tend to adhere to or practice one faith. For example, within the governing coalition, the majority of members of the mostly ethnic-Creole National Party of Suriname (NPS) is Moravian, members of the mostly ethnic-Indian United Reformed Party are Hindu, and those of the mostly ethnic-Javanese Pertjaja Luhur Party tend to be Muslim. However, parties have no requirement that political party leaders or members adhere to a particular religion. For example, the President, who is also the leader of the NPS, is a practicing Catholic.

There is no direct correlation between religious affiliation and socioeconomic status; however, those who practice indigenous religions in the small villages of the interior generally have a lower socioeconomic status. With the exception of those following indigenous practices, religious communities are not heavily concentrated in any particular region.

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The US government found no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice in 2007.

ee also

*Islam in Suriname
*Roman Catholicism in Suriname

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Suriname — Republic of Suriname Republiek Suriname (Dutch) …   Wikipedia

  • SURINAME — SURINAME, republic on the northeastern coast of South America, between Guiana (formerly British Guiana), Brazil, and French Guyana and bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. The first permanent settlement was founded in 1652 by the English… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Religion in national symbols — can often be found in national anthems. This has led to controversy in some countries in regard to the separation of church and state, when the national symbol is officially sanctioned by a government. Flags which incorporate symbols of religion… …   Wikipedia

  • Suriname — Republiek Suriname Republik Suriname …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Suriname — /soor euh nahm , nam /; Du. /syuu rddee nah meuh/, n. a republic on the NE coast of South America: formerly a territory of the Netherlands; gained independence 1975. 443,446; 60,230 sq. mi. (155,995 sq. km). Cap.: Paramaribo. Also, Surinam /soor… …   Universalium

  • Suriname — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Suriname (homonymie). Republiek Suriname (nl) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Religion in Bangladesch — গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ Ganaprajātantrī Bāṃlādeś Volksrepublik Bangladesch …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Religion in Asia — Asia is the world s most populous and largest continents, with millions of different peoples following a wide variety of different religions. Asia was the birthplace of most of the world s mainstream religions including Hinduism, Judaism,… …   Wikipedia

  • Religion in Argentina — A majority of the population of Argentina is nominally Roman Catholic. Pentecostal churches and traditional Protestant denominations are present in most communities. Argentina has the largest Jewish population in Latin America, about 300,000.… …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of Suriname — T …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”