Religion in Jamaica
Many people associate Jamaica with Rastafarianism. They believe that everyone in Jamaica takes part in the Rastafarian Movement. This is, however, far from true. Rastafarians only take up about 1.1% of the Religions practised in Jamaica. The leading religion in Jamaica is Christianity, with a percentage of about 60. Christianity was introduced by Spanish settlers who arrived in Jamaica in 1509.
Christianity:
62% of the Jamaican population are Protestants. Jamaican Protestantism is composed of several denominations: 24% Church of God, 11% Seventh-day Adventist, 10% Pentecostal, 7% Baptist, 4% Anglican, 2% United Church, 2% Methodist, 1% Moravian and 1% Brethren.
Unfortunately I did not get the chance to participate in a Church service myself, but I would have loved to see what a Christian service looks like in Jamaica.
An interesting fact about Jamaica is that their national anthem is a prayer asking God to bless their land and it is still played in cinemas before every film or any cultural presentation. This is a symbol of national pride and the Christian beliefs of this small nation.
Rastafarianism:
A religion with deep political convictions,
Rastafarianism began in the slums of Jamaica in the 1920s and 30s. African religious tradition has heavily influenced the culture of Rastafarianism and biblical themes have heavily influenced the religion's belief system. The most famous Rastafari is arguably Bob Marley, whose reggae music gained the Jamaican movement international recognition.
There is no formal, organized leadership in Rastafarianism, creating a wide variety of spiritual and moral variation within the religion. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life, and others see it more as a religion. Nevertheless, uniting the diversity within the movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.
The Rastafarian lifestyle usually includes ritual use of marijuana, avoidance of alcohol, the wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks, and vegetarianism.
