Religion in Lesotho
Encyclopedia
Christianity
is the dominant religion in Lesotho
. The Christian Council of Lesotho, made up of representatives of all major Christian churches in the country, estimates that approximately 90 percent of the population are Christian. Lesotho Protestants represent 45% of the population (Evangelicals
26 %, and Anglican
and other Christian groups an additional 19 %t.), Roman Catholics
represent 45 percent of the population, Muslims
, Hindus
, Buddhists
, Baha'i
, and members of traditional indigenous religions comprise the remaining 10 percent of the population.
While Christians can be found throughout the country, Muslims live primarily in the northeast. Most practitioners of Islam are of Asian origin, while the majority of Christians are members of the indigenous Basotho
. Many Christians practice their traditional cultural beliefs and rituals along with Christianity. The Catholic and Anglican Churches have fused some aspects of local culture into their services; for example, the singing of hymns during services has developed into a traditional call and response in Sesotho--the indigenous language—as well as English. Indigenous religious beliefs also influence Songoma, a form of traditional medicine.
Missionaries are active in the country. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. In 2007, the US received no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
is the dominant religion in Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. The Christian Council of Lesotho, made up of representatives of all major Christian churches in the country, estimates that approximately 90 percent of the population are Christian. Lesotho Protestants represent 45% of the population (Evangelicals
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
26 %, and Anglican
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
and other Christian groups an additional 19 %t.), Roman Catholics
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
represent 45 percent of the population, Muslims
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Hindus
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, Buddhists
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Baha'i
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
, and members of traditional indigenous religions comprise the remaining 10 percent of the population.
While Christians can be found throughout the country, Muslims live primarily in the northeast. Most practitioners of Islam are of Asian origin, while the majority of Christians are members of the indigenous Basotho
Basotho
The ancestors of the Sotho people have lived in southern Africa since around the fifth century. The Sotho nation emerged from the accomplished diplomacy of Moshoeshoe I who gathered together disparate clans of Sotho–Tswana origin that had dispersed across southern Africa in the early 19th century...
. Many Christians practice their traditional cultural beliefs and rituals along with Christianity. The Catholic and Anglican Churches have fused some aspects of local culture into their services; for example, the singing of hymns during services has developed into a traditional call and response in Sesotho--the indigenous language—as well as English. Indigenous religious beliefs also influence Songoma, a form of traditional medicine.
Missionaries are active in the country. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. In 2007, the US received no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice.
See also
- Islam in LesothoIslam in LesothoAccording to Adherents.com, the Muslim population of Lesotho in 2000 was 1000, or 0.05% of the total population. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community claims 350 members in the country....
- Roman Catholicism in LesothoRoman Catholicism in LesothoRoman Catholicism in Lesotho is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. Approximately 90 percent of the population are Christians, of which half are Roman Catholics. Muslims, members of other non-Christian religions, and atheists...
- Anglican Diocese of LesothoAnglican Diocese of LesothoThe Anglican Diocese of Lesotho is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.Lesotho was originally included in the Anglican Diocese of the Free State but became an independent diocese in 1950....