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
Afro-Caribbean syncretic groups
- See also: Hinduism in the West Indies
The Hanuman Temple at Carapichaima, near
Chaguanas.
- [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
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.
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