Christianity in South Africa
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| South African Christian bodies |
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South African Interchurch
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Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa, with almost 80% of the population in 2001 professing to be Christian. No single denomination predominates, with mainstream Protestant churches, Pentecostal churches, African initiated churches, and the Catholic Church all having significant numbers of adherents. Importantly, there is significant and sustained syncretism with African Traditional Religion among most of the self-professed Christians in South Africa. [1]
The following table shows the breakdown of Christian adherents according to the 2001 Census (the 2011 Census did not ask about religion). Of the total national population of 44.8 million, 35.8 million or 79.8% identified as members of a Christian denomination.[2]
| Denomination | Adherents | % of Christians |
|---|---|---|
| Methodist | 3,305,404 | 9.2% |
| Dutch Reformed | 3,005,698 | 8.4% |
| Anglican | 1,722,076 | 4.8% |
| Lutheran | 1,130,987 | 3.2% |
| Presbyterian | 832,495 | 2.3% |
| Baptist | 691,237 | 1.9% |
| Congregational | 508,825 | 1.4% |
| Other Reformed | 226,495 | 0.6% |
| Total mainstream Protestant | 11,423,217 | 31.9% |
| Pentecostal/Charismatic | 3,422,749 | 9.6% |
| Apostolic Faith Mission | 246,190 | 0.7% |
| Other Apostolic | 5,609,070 | 15.7% |
| Total Pentecostal | 9,279,009 | 25.9% |
| Zion Christian Church | 4,971,932 | 13.9% |
| Other Zionist | 1,887,147 | 5.3% |
| Ethiopian | 880,414 | 2.5% |
| iBandla lamaNazaretha | 248,824 | 0.7% |
| Other African Independent | 656,644 | 1.8% |
| Total African Independent | 8,644,961 | 24.2% |
| Catholic | 3,181,336 | 8.9% |
| Orthodox | 42,251 | 0.1% |
| Other Christian | 3,195,477 | 8.9% |
| Total | 35,765,251 |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1107&context=totem
- ^ "South Africa's people" (PDF). Pocket Guide to South Africa (2011/2012 ed.). Government of South Africa. p. 12. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
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