One love, many faiths
Region shares diverse beliefs
virginvoices.com staff
Christianity dominates Caribbean, but the region is full of its many variations, and diverse beliefs.
Nations governing the region include France, England, Denmark and Holland, resulting in the Spanish, French, English and Dutch islands such as Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, St. Martin and Sint Maarten.
Slaves from Africa brought their own religious and spiritual practices, which became entirely new religions.
Slavery encouraged religious diversity, which today goes well beyond Christianity. Almost one quarter of the population of Trinidad and Tobago is Hindu. Jews and Muslims also live in the region.
Caribbean natives have also created their own religion, such as Rastafarianism. This pro-African religion has roots in the 1930s in Jamaica.
Rastafarians believe the Messiah is Haile Selassie the last emperor of Ethiopia. Rastafarianism’s influence in Reggae music, which gained worldwide recognition through the late Bob Marley. Rastafarianism has an intense commitment to social justice.
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