Religion in Belize

Presented by Kevin

The constitution provides for freedom of religion

The Government respected this right in practice

There is no state religion

• The generally amicable relationship among religious groups in society contributed to religious freedom.

• no one shall be compelled to take an oath that is contrary to a person's religion or belief.

• Discrimination on religious grounds is illegal.

• There are no special registration requirements or fees for religious organizations, and legal incorporation for a religion or denomination is a simple matter.

• religious communities may establish "places of education“

• the educational system maintains by statute a strong religious curriculum.

• educational institution can’t compell a child to receive religious instruction or attend any religious ceremony or observance without the child's consent or, if under the age of eighteen, the consent of the child's parents.

• Roman Catholics constituted 49.6 % of the population, Pentecostals 7.4 %, and Anglicans 5.3 %.

Other faiths and denominations included Baptists (3.5 %), Methodists (3.5 %), Seventh day Adventists (5.2 %), ‑and Mennonites (4.1 %).

• There were approximately 6,000 Nazarenes and Hindus, Baha'is, Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc….

• The Mennonites and Pentecostals live mostly in the rural districts of Cayo and Orange Walk .

• Members of these minority groups tended to live in Belize City.

• Approximately 10 %of citizens identified themselves as

nonbelievers or members of no religious congregation. 

Roman Catholics• There are 150,000 Catholics in Belize

• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in North America.

Mennonites• there are close to 10,000 conservative Russian Mennonites living in Belize.

• Mennonites accept only adults as members

•  The largest denomination was Altkolonier Mennoniten Gemeinde with 2,052 members.

• Contributed significantly to agriculture and the economy in general.