Saint Lucia’s provisional census report for 2022 has indicated a shift in religious affiliation among the population, with smaller memberships in some traditional groups.
The Roman Catholic faith remains the largest religious group, accounting for 86,967 adherents or 50.6 percent of the populace.
The census report observed that Seventh-Day Adventists are the second largest group with 18, 60l members, or 10.8 percent of the population, followed by Pentecostals comprising 15,515 followers (9.0%).
It revealed that other significant religions include Mennonite, Rastafarian, Baptist, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, representing 1.5% and 2.5% of the population.
In contrast, the Bahai Faith, Brethren, Buddhism, Mormonism, and the Universal Church have minimal followers, each constituting less than 0.2% of the population.
The census found that notably, 14.1% of the population has no religious affiliation but believes in God, while 0.3% identify as Atheists.
Additionally, 4.1% did not report their religious affiliation.
The report data revealed that traditional religious groups like the Anglican, Methodist, and Baptist denominations have small memberships, with shares of 1.3%, 0.4%, and 1.7%, respectively.
“This suggests that these once-prominent organizations are becoming minor faiths compared to the rising number of individuals with no religious affiliation or who believe in God without adhering to a specific faith,” the report said.
According to the document, other denominations like Pentecostal (9%) and Seventh Day Adventist (10.8%) hold more substantial shares, reflecting a shift in religious affiliation within the population.
The writing is on the proverbial wall. Religion is dying a slow and painful death because people are not as gullible as they once were. Religion is strong in Saint Lucia for various reasons. It would be interesting what the census shows in 10 year’s time. Interesting report indeed. In the more developed countries the fate of religion is far worse. Churches are becoming business houses, night clubs, shops etc etc simply because people no longer go to church or subscribe to it’s teachings….they simply no longer believe the hoccus poccus. But it’s how’s that Saint Lucians are overwhelmingly religious yet look at our society? Shouldn’t a more religious nation have better social statistics in healthcare, education, quality of life, crime, domestic violence etc etc?… By contrast the Scandinavian countries are the least religious of nations yet enjoy an overwhelming better quality of life, less crime, better educational outcomes, wealth, progress etc etc ….shows you it’s not religion that makes people and society better, it’s the mentality of the people who makes people and society better….I await the next census on religious affiliation in Saint Lucia in 10 year’s time….
@C-Wiz Brother, what? Do you think that just because a country is not religious, it doesn’t have problems? People don’t publish news about other countries simply for the sake of it. American news is primarily for Americans, and British news is primarily for the British. Yet the country you are speaking about, which is less religious, has higher rates of pedophilia, sex trafficking, shootings, aggression, civil wars, gang wars, drug sales, and the list goes on.
refrain from defending and fabricating information about less religious countries simply to promote your agenda.
@The truths
Let me make you aware that we are both promoting an agenda. So pointing a finger at me while you yourself are doing the exact same thing you accuse me of. Yes, we both a promoting an agenda but our agenda has no consequences on the reality on the ground which is religion is dying slowly as people no longer are as gullible as those of the past….the stats proves that. Now considering your other statement about Scandinavian countries having issues. Of course it goes without saying that Scandinavian countries have their issues..no one in their right mind would think they don’t have issues. Neither was I making a point that they were an ideal society but the record shows that they have less issues societal issues…still your suggestion that they have sex trafficking, paedophilia etc etc …does not negate the fact that even the most religious societies have the same issues of pedophilia, sex trafficking, drug sales, gang wars….look at the scandal the rocked the catholic church in child sex abuse, some of the most religious regions of the world have the worst outcome of drugs and violence… south America comes to mind? I can go on and on. My point being human progress is not dependent on a religious beliefs but on the people of society to actively make the effort to be better in the interest of societal progress.
Based on how some persons speak you would think religion didn’t exist any more. This report shows that 73% of the population is faith based. So what is the excuse for crime now ?
once religion c–wiz deh..they tired warn him about criticizing people beliefs aredy…he will take the whole day to see who comeenting on that….do not entertain such…everyone is entitled to his or her belief….never argue with a non christian….according to them PJP, sports and the economy are the answer…slu times what does this article have to do with anything? telling us about numbers…..is the same numbers the police coming and give and saying crime on the decrease…what world are we st lucians living in??? now women getting shot…what is the reason for that?? why are these fellas doin such things??? are these women part of gangs too? are they informants?? why now our women???
@C-WIZ
Imagine claiming that religion is dying when the Bible is the highest printed book in the world, with 5 billion copies printed over its lifetime and still being printed today.
Imagine claiming that religion is dying when countries have religious codes to follow, and it is a part of their daily lives and holidays.
Religion isn’t going anywhere, just as politicians are not going anywhere. While some may reject religion, it will always exist.
Religion has been around for over two centuries, which is 200 years. Therefore, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
You mention how less religious countries barely have issues, but not everything is reported in the news or written in newspapers. There are criminal norms in other countries that often go unreported. For example, women have little to no rights in China, women face abuse in South Korea, and men in America are seen as a national problem. Every country has its issues, and these problems are not necessarily related to religion.
Are you really going to say that the Russia-Ukraine war is about religion when it is strictly about Russia not wanting Ukraine to join NATO?
Yes, you are promoting your atheism agenda, despite clearly having done little to no research.
@ The Truths
The bible may be the highest selling book but that does not account for the fall in religious beliefs.. particularly in the west. Do some research since you are so keen on it ….Of course religion ain’t going anywhere because there will always be someone to convince or someone who believe in the teaching. Yet the stats show people are less religious…you are wrong about religion being here for 2 centuries..I think you meant 2 millennia (2000 years)…and even that too is wrong…humans have always had some kind of belief since evolving out of Africa….it’s just that Christianity is the lastest fad to grip the minds of humanity for such a long time….I can go into details but won’t. There is no difference between Christianity, shamanism, voodoo, Buddhism, Shintoism and all other beliefs claiming some form deity….so who really has the truth then?
I have done little to no research?…. 😂😂… don’t be so sure in your opinion…if religion was any good, a nation like Saint Lucia which is overwhelming religious should not be facing the terrible consequences of crime and gun violence and many of the social issues it has. Because by the assumption of those who believe, religion should make society better…but it is? It’s the same people who claim to believe that are abusing the innocent, taking money from the hard working people, scheming in the dark and doing all manner of reprehensible things, often in the nam of holy come mighty….now I know you would say, we should not follow man but that is precisely the problem…man has used the bribery of religion to capture the minds of the unsuspecting….
Now the fallacy a lot of people on this forum seems to have including you is that I have an agenda. Typical of people who would not want others to air an opinion but rather attack the messenger because because he/she has a contrary opinion. Well since religion is all that, let the religious continue praying for a better Saint Lucia..I won’t wait to see the results of that futile effort.