Religions: in the United States Virgin Islands (2010)[1]

  Protestant (65.5%)
  Roman Catholic (27.1%)
  Other Christian (1.8%)
  Unaffiliated (3.7%)
  Other religion (1.9%)

Religion in the United States Virgin Islands is varied. Only 6% of the population is non-Christian.[2]

Christianity

As in most Caribbean countries, Christianity is the dominant religion in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Protestantism is most prevalent, reflecting the territory's colonial heritage. There is also a strong Roman Catholic presence. Protestants makes up 65,5%(Baptist 32%, Pentecostal 12%, Advendist 10%, Episcopalian 9%, other 2,5%) of the total population on the islands. Roman Catholics are 27,1% of the population.[2]

See also: Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands and Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas

Judaism

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, as was the Impressionist artist Camille Pissarro who was born on St Thomas.

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

Hinduism is practiced by the Indo-Caribbean and Indian (mostly Sindhi Indian) population. The religion first arrived in 1863 with the first indentured laborers from India. There is a Hindu temple in La Grande Princesse, St. Croix and one in Frenchman's Bay, St. Thomas.[5][6]

Islam

There is an Islamic school based in St. Croix, known as Iqra academy.[7]

Buddhism

There is a Buddhist temple located on the island of St. Thomas and more.[8]

Rastafari

As in most of the Caribbean, various forms of Rastafari are practiced on the island.

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Virgin Islands
  2. 1 2 CIA World Factbook Accessed 11-24-12
  3. ↑ "Historical Synagogue". www.jewishvirginislands.com. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
  4. ↑ "Chabad Lubavitch of the Virgin Islands". www.jewishvirginislands.com. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
  5. ↑ "Faith Matters: Hinduism in the U.S.V.I." July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  6. ↑ Shree Ram Naya Sabha, Inc. v. Hendricks, 19 VI 216 (D.V.I. July 14, 1982).
  7. ↑ "Overview". IQRA' ACADEMY. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
  8. ↑ "Nirvana Temple - About Us". nirvanatemple.org. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
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