Category:Colombia

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Colombia is a country in South America.

Overview

Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Colombia

Christianity (in its Roman Catholic form) was carried to South America in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadors. Catholic practices, especially in rural areas, incorporated ancient indigenous ceremonies. Spanish colonial rule, from the 16th to early 19th centuries, gave the Catholic Church a situation of monopoly, enforced by the Inquisition.

In the 19th century, with the creation of the modern Colombian State, the religious situation became more diverse, and Protestant, Jews and Muslims gained some freedom of worship, even though the Catholic Church until 1992 remained the State religion of the country.

Contemporary times

Today, the overwhelming majority of Colombian people (around 80%-90%) identify themselves as Roman Catholics and the Catholic Church has a special role of predominance in Colombian society, although the Colombian constitution now grants equal freedom and privileges to all religions.

Colombia has a significant Evangelical minority (around 10% of the population) and several small Jewish and Muslim communities.

In Depth

• Colombian Scholarship / Colombian Scholars -- survey of works by Colombian Scholars / biographies of Colombian Scholars

• Colombian Fiction / Colombian Authors -- survey of works by Colombian Authors / biographies of Colombian Authors

See also: Colombia -- Spanish language

External links

• Wikipedia / Wikipedia (Religion in Colombia)