Religion in the United States Virgin Islands
Religion in the United States Virgin Islands is varied. Only 7% of the religious population is non-Christian.[2]
Christianity[edit]
As in most Caribbean countries, Christianity is the dominant religion in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Protestantism is most prevalent, reflecting the territory's Danish colonial heritage. There is also a strong Roman Catholic presence. Protestants makes up 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%) of the total religious population on the islands. Roman Catholics are 34% of the religious population.[2]
See also: Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands and Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas
Judaism[edit]
Jews began settling the Danish Virgin Islands in 1655, and by 1796 the first synagogue was inaugurated. In its heyday in the mid-19th century, the Jewish community made up half of the white population.[3] One of the earliest colonial governors, Gabriel Milan, was a Sephardic Jew.
Today, there are still Jews living in the Islands.[4] The St. Thomas Synagogue built in 1833, is the second-oldest existing synagogue and longest in continuous use now under the American flag. The synagogue is associated with the Reform Judaism movement. There is also a synagogue Temple B'nai Or at Hermon Hill on St. Croix close to Christiansted.
Hinduism[edit]
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Islam[edit]
There is an Islamic school based in St. Croix, known as Iqra academy.[5]
Buddhism[edit]
There is a Buddhist temple located on the island of St. Thomas and more.[6]
Rastafari[edit]
As in most of the Caribbean, various forms of Rastafari are practiced on the island.
References[edit]
- ^ U.S. Virgin Islands
- ^ a b CIA World Factbook Accessed 11-24-12
- ^ "Historical Synagogue". www.jewishvirginislands.com. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
- ^ "Chabad Lubavitch of the Virgin Islands". www.jewishvirginislands.com. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
- ^ "Overview". IQRA' ACADEMY. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
- ^ "Nirvana Temple - About Us". nirvanatemple.org. Retrieved 2019-04-27.