Religion in Trinidad and Tobago

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Trinidad and Tobago is a multi-religious nation. The largest religious groups are the Roman Catholics and Hindus; the Anglicans, Muslims, Presbyterians, Methodist are among the smaller faiths. Two Afro-Caribbean syncretic faiths, the Shouter or Spiritual Baptists and the Orisha faith (formerly called Shangos, a less than complimentary term) are among the fastest growing religious groups. The fastest growing groups are a host of American-style evangelical and fundamentalist churches usually lumped as "Pentecostal" by most Trinidadians (although this designation is often inaccurate). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also expanded its presence in the country since the mid-1980s.

According to the 2000 Census, 29.6% of the population was Roman Catholic, 34.3% Protestant (including 8.9% Anglican, 7.8% Pentecostal, 4.5% Seventh-day Adventist, 3.8% Presbyterian or Congregational, 8.2% Baptist, and 1.1% Methodist), 25.6% Hindu, and 6.6% Muslim. A small number of individuals subscribed to traditional Caribbean religions with African roots, such as the Spiritual Baptists (sometimes called Shouter Baptists); and the Orisha, 0.1 percent. The smaller groups were Jehovah's Witnesses (1.8 percent) and unaffiliated (2.2 percent). There is also a small, but active, Jewish community on the island.^[1]

Christian denominations

Coat of arms of the Anglican diocese of Trinidad.

• Roman Catholic Church (see Roman Catholicism in Trinidad and Tobago)
• Anglican Church of Trinidad and Tobago
• Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago
• Methodist Church of Trinidad and Tobago
• New Testament Church of God.
• Church of God of Prophecy
• Open Bible Standard Churches
• Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies
• South Caribbean Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Moravian Church of Trinidad and Tobago
• Church of the Nazarene
• Church of God
• Ethiopian Orthodox Church
• Stewards Christian Bretheren
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
• Association of Jehovah's Witnesses

Afro-Caribbean syncretic groups

• Spiritual Baptist
  • Independent Baptist
  • National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist
  • West Indies Spiritual Sacred Order
  • Baptist (Orthodox)
• Orisha
• Rastafari movement
• Nation of Islam

Hindu groups

The Hanuman Temple at Carapichaima, near Chaguanas.

• Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad
• Kabir Panth Association
• Arya Pratinidhi Sabha
• Shiva Dharma Sabha
• Divine Life Society
• International Society for Krishna Consciousness
• SWAHA
• Hindu Festivals Society of Trinidad and Tobago

Muslim groups

Masjid in Montrose, Chaguanas.

• Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association
• Tackveeyatul Islamic Association
• Trinidad Muslim League
• United Islamic Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago

Jewish groups

• [1] Trinidad & Tobago once had a flourishing Jewish community, but the numbers have dwindled down to approximately 55 to 100 persons. The community is largely religiously unaffiliated and consists of many prominent Trinidadians.
• [2] : official website of the Jewish community of Trinidad & Tobago

Baha'i Faith

• The Baha'is of Trinidad and Tobago - official web site of the Trinidad and Tobago Baha'i community

Government subventions

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago provides substantial subventions to religious groups. In 2003 [3] the government provided TT$ 420,750 to religious groups.

References