Religion in Latin America

Religion in Latin America is characterized by the predominance of Catholic Christianity, as well as by the presence of other world religions.

Christianity

The majority of Latin Americans are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics.^[1] Membership in Protestant denominations is increasing, particularly in northern Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador and Puerto Rico. ^[2] Brazil has an active quasi-socialist Roman Catholic movement known as Liberation Theology.^{[citation needed]}

Indigenous creeds

Indigenous creeds and rituals are still practiced in countries with large percentages of Amerindians, such as Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. Various Afro-Latin American traditions such as Santería, Candomblé, Umbanda, Macumba, and tribal-voodoo religions are also practiced, mainly in Cuba, Brazil, and Haiti.

Other world religions

Argentina hosts the largest communities of both Jews^[3][4][5] and Muslims^[6][7][8] in Latin America. Brazil is the country with more practitioners in the world of Allan Kardec's Spiritism. Practitioners of the Judaism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness, Buddhist, Islamic, Hinduism, Bahá'í, and Shinto denominations and religions also exercise in Latin America.^[9]

Secularism

Another recent phenomenon is the growth of secularism and those who claim no religion. This trend is noticeable in both the megacities throughout the region and in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba and Mexico (see Irreligion in Mexico).

References

1. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook -- Field Listing - Religions". https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html. Retrieved 2009-03-17. 
2. ^ bob'sjourneytothecenteroftheearth.html"
3. ^ LeElef, Ner. "World Jewish Population". http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/world-jewish-population.htm#_ftnref1. Retrieved 2008-01-09. 
4. ^ The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute; Annual Assessment, 2007
5. ^ United Jewish Communities; Global Jewish Populations
6. ^ Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs - Background Note: Argentina
7. ^ International Religious Freedom Report 2008 - Argentina
8. ^ Árabes y musulmanes en América Latina
9. ^ LANIC religion page

v t e Religion in Latin America North America Mexico Central America Belize · Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Haiti Jamaica Puerto Rico1 St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago South America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Dependencies not included. 1 Defined as a semi-autonomous territory.

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