Religion in Swaziland
The population of Swaziland is approximately 35 percent Protestant, 30 percent African Zionist, 25 percent Catholic, 1 percent Muslim and Hinduism (0.15%).[1] Those statistics, however do not match CIA's data in Nationmaster, which specifies 66% Protestants and 5.33% Catholics.[2][3] The remaining 9 percent of the population is divided among the Baha'i Faith, Seventh-day Adventism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Branhamism, and other religious groups.[3] The Zionist Churches, which blend Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship, predominate in rural areas.[3] A large Roman Catholic presence, including churches, schools, and other infrastructure, continues to flourish.[3] The country forms a single diocese - the Diocese of Manzini.
Followers of Judaism, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith are located in urban areas.[3] Islam in Swaziland probably dates to the colonial period, when many Muslims settled in from other countries under the dominion of the British Empire.[citation needed] Most immigrants from South Asia practice Islam.[3] There are few atheists.[3] Missionaries continue to play a role in rural development.[3]
The new Constitution, which went into effect on February 8, 2006, provides for freedom of religion. The Government generally respects freedom of religion in practice.[3] The US government received no reports of societal abuse or discrimination based on religious belief or practice during 2008.[3]
References [edit]
- ^ Religious Intelligence - Country Profile: Swaziland (Kingdom of Swaziland)
- ^ http://www.nationmaster.com/country/wz-swaziland/rel-religion
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Swaziland. United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (September 19, 2008). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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