Religion in Colombia - Other Religious Affiliations

Other Religious Affiliations

Although the Government does not keep official statistics on religious affiliation, a 2001 poll commissioned by the country's leading newspaper, El Tiempo, indicated that the religious demography is as follows:

• 81% Roman Catholic.
• 13.5% Protestants
• 1.9% No religious beliefs
• 2.3% Jewish
• 3.6% Other faiths:
  • Seventh-day Adventist Church: about 180.000 members
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: about 130.000 members
  • Jehovah's Witnesses: about 120.000 members.

• • Bahá'í Faith: about 68,000
  • Judaism: between 5.000 and 10.000 members.

Currently, there seem to be no social controversy or problem arising from religious conflict. Freedom of religion is enforced by the State and well tolerated in the Colombian culture. Almost all cities and towns in Colombia have a church, but there are also temples, mosques and synagogues, especially in the largest cities.

A Colombian-grown Taoist movement has spread significantly in recent years. In the 2000s, temples and congregations were target of a paramilitary repression which motivations are still unclear. Entire Taoist communities were massacred and leaders kidnapped. In 2008 Taoist communities organised and participated to various peaceful protests in many cities of Colombia.