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Religion in Barbados

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Religion in Barbados is predominantly Christian. Religious freedom is established by law and generally enforced in practice, although some minority religious groups have complaints about government practices that interfere with their beliefs.

Religion in Barbados (2010)

  Protestants (33.7%)
  Anglicans (28.8%)
  Other Christians (32.1%)
  Irreligious (1.9%)
  Bahá’ís (1.2%)
  Others (1.3%)
St. Peter's Parish Church, Saint Peter, Barbados

Religious affiliations 1970 and 2010

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The reference work Religions of the World provides the following data for Barbados:[1]

Religion Followers in 1970 Followers in 2010 % of Population 2010
Christians 235,000 284,000 95.5
- Protestants 50,600 100,000 33.7
- Anglicans 90,000 85,600 28.8
- Others 8,900 16,000 32.1
Agnostics 2,400 5,100 1.7
Bahá’ís 1,300 3,600 1.2
Muslims 400 2,300 0.8
Hindus 100 980 0.3
Atheists 0 700 0.2
New religionists 50 480 0.2
Buddhists 0 120 0.0
Spiritists 0 60 0.0
Jews 30 40 0.0
Ethnoreligionists 0 30 0.0
Total Population 239,000 297,000 100.0

Although Catholics are missing from the above chart, the same reference book gives their percentage as 4 percent in 1980 and 4.2 percent in 2000.[2]

The Rastafarian Movement was introduced to Barbados in 1975.[3]

Religious freedom

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The constitution of Barbados provides for the freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on creed;[4] there is a law against "blasphemous libel" but it is unenforced.

Religious groups are allowed to establish private schools and provide religious instruction, with some support from the government; education in Christian values is taught in primary schools, with several religions being taught at secondary level (students may opt out).[4]

Representatives of the Rastafari community have objected to mandatory vaccinations for schoolchildren.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Melton, J. Gordon; Baumann, Martin (2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. p. 300. ISBN 978-1598842043. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  2. ^ Melton, J. Gordon; Baumann, Martin (2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. p. 301. ISBN 978-1598842043. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. ^ Melton, J.G.; Baumann, M. (2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. ABC-CLIO. p. 304. ISBN 9781598842043. Retrieved 2015-05-13.
  4. ^ a b c US State Dept, 2022 report on Barbados