RELIGIONS IN PANAMA

The Constitution prescribes that there shall be no prejudice

with respect to religious freedom, and the practice of all forms of
worship is authorized. However, the Constitution recognizes that
the Roman Catholic faith is the country's predominant religion and
contains a provision that it be taught in the public schools. Such
instruction or other religious activity is not, however, compulsory.

The government of Panama does not collect statistics on the

religious affiliation of citizens, but various sources estimate that 72
to 85 percent of the population identifies itself as Roman Catholic
and 15 to 25 percent as evangelical Christian.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

claim more than 40,000 members. Smaller religious groups include
Buddhists with between 15,000 and 20,000 members, Seventh-day
Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Episcopalians with between 7,000
and 10,000 members, Jewish and Muslim communities with approximately 10,000
members each, Hindus, and other Christians. Indigenous religions include Ibeorgun
(among Kuna) and Mamatata (among Ngobe). There is also a small number of
Rastafarians.

Catholics are found throughout the country and at all levels of society. Evangelical
Christians also are dispersed geographically and are becoming more prominent in
society. The mainstream Protestant denominations, which include Southern Baptist
Convention and other Baptist congregations, United Methodist, Methodist Church of the
Caribbean and the Americas, and Lutheran, derive their membership from the Antillean
black and the expatriate communities, both of which are concentrated in Panam and
Coln Provinces. The Jewish community is centered largely in Panama City. Muslims live
primarily in Panama City and Colon, with smaller concentrations in David and other
provincial cities. The vast majority of Muslims are of Lebanese, Palestinian, or Indian
descent.

Throughout the society, birth and death were marked by religious rites observed by
all but a very few. One of the first social functions in which newly born members of the
family participated was the sacrament of baptism, which symbolized their entry into
society and brought them into the church community. In the cities, church facilities were
readily available, but in rural areas families often had to travel some distance to the
nearest church for the ceremony. The trip was considered of great importance and was
willingly undertaken. In fact, baptism was generally considered the most significant
religious rite.

If the family lived near a church that had a priest in regular attendance, children
received an early exposure to the formal teachings of the church and were usually taken
to mass regularly by their mothers or fathers. As they grew older, they took an
increasing part in church liturgy and by the age of ten were usually full participants in
such activities as catechism classes, communion, and confession. As they approached
manhood, boys tended to drift away from the church and from conscientious observation
of church ritual. Few young men attended services regularly, and even fewer took an
active part in the religious life of the community, although they continued to consider
themselves Roman Catholics.

By Cristbal Cruz
Panama Bilingue
Culture Class