Jamaica - Religions

There is freedom and equality of religion in Jamaica. Protestant churches are dominant, with various denominations comprising over 60% of the total population. The Church of God now claims the largest number of adherents, with 21% of the populace. Seventh-Day Adventists and Baptists are the next largest denominations with about 9% each. About 8% of the population are Pentecostal. The Church of England (Anglican), formerly the dominant religion in Jamaica, claims about 6%. Other denominations include Roman Catholics (4%), United Church (3%), Methodists (3%), Jehovah's Witnesses (2%), Moravians (1%), and Brethren (1%). Other religious groups, including Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Rastafarians, as well as some spiritual cults, make up about 35% of the population. The Rastafarian movement continues to grow and is culturally influential in Jamaica and abroad. Rastas regard Africa (specifically Ethiopia) as Zion and consider their life outside Africa as an exile or captivity; use of marijuana, or ganja, plays an important role in the movement.