A History of Religion in Belize

April 18, 2023
by Larry Waight +

For a nation with a populace of less than 398,000, the religious faiths practiced in Belize are amazingly diverse. The nation’s deepest religious roots harken back to the ancient Mayas whose belief in gods and goddesses representing natural elements provided a spiritual base for this thriving populace thousands of years ago.

Remnants of these enlightened believers remain today in both the architectural wonders built to worship a pantheon of gods above ground and sacred caves located beneath the earth that provided natural cathedrals for everything from religious ceremonies to ritual sacrificial events.

When Spanish explorers — most of them Catholics – arrived in Central America, conquistadors set out to destroy what they saw as pagan rituals that threatened Christianity, but rather than convert, some Mayas established an underground faith that remained true to their original beliefs under the guise of important Catholic figures that included Jesus, Virgin Mary, and a pantheon of saints.

From Mayas to Christianity

Leaving behind a legacy of architectural wonders that continue to represent this highly intelligent society, one finds deities embossed, engraved, and carved into buildings at epicenters of Maya religious life. Cities like Altun Ha, Caracol, and Xunantunich stand as reminders of religious practices that once governed celebrations honoring the gods. But Catholicism ultimately came to be the dominant religion in Belize and elsewhere in Central America.

It wasn’t until the British occupation that The Church of England and Protestantism gained a foothold in Central America as a direct result of England’s dominion over Belize. That noted, an infusion of other faiths came to Belize shores over time as people fled from oppression or were captured as part of the slave trade that became commonplace in the Western Hemisphere. Even members of the Confederacy moved to Belize after the U.S. Civil War was lost.

The African influence

Because the British were already awash in slavery born of African conquests, the capture of large numbers of men, women, and even children sold into slavery impacted the Americas. Practicing a faith that relied upon mysticism that originated in both Africa and India, escaped slaves seeking refuge in Belize continued to practice their faith. Driven by the intoxicating beat of drums played during religious rituals, the Garifuna religion flourished as descendants of Africans remained devoted to this faith.

Garifuna celebrations, rituals, and ceremonies remain a major presence in today’s Belize culture, especially in the towns of Hopkins, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda. But Garifuna practices aren’t the only African imports to Belize. People finding their way from Africa to the Caribbean as Yoruba devotees whose belief in Olodumare, the one high god, plus witchcraft practices established yet another presence in the nation represented by today’s generation of Creole Belizeans.

European religions flourish

Having already become a home to Catholics via Spanish conquests and Protestants courtesy of England’s occupation, only one faith classified within the Anabaptist movement has managed to establish a strong foothold in Belize: Mennonites. Arriving during the 16th Century from Germany and Switzerland, people of this faith may have been born of the reformation but once Mennonites eliminated infant baptism from its rituals, these believers were ostracized from the larger church. They fled to Belize and continue to thrive today.

Mennonite communities in and around Orange Walk District have grown so large, around 3% of the Belize population belong to this faith. That stated the presence of those original conquering Spaniards is responsible for the spread and adoption of the Catholic faith to such a large extent, it remains the largest denomination in the nation as practiced by over 40% of the populace. The church is especially prominent during major Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter.

A true melting pot

What do Belizeans share with people around the globe? A surprising 15% of Belizeans have no religious affiliation at all, despite a growth in practitioners of Catholicism, Protestantism, and Africa-based faiths that once found homes in this nation. In small numbers, all these faiths are all represented in present-day Belize:

•Anglicans
•Baha’is
•Buddhists
•Greek Orthodox
•Hindus
•Jews
•Mormons
•Muslims
•Pentecostals
•Rastafarians
•Seventh-day Adventists

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The more things change, the more they stay the same

Despite fluctuating percentages of Belizeans laying claim to the practice of one religion, Catholicism remains dominant throughout Belize while varying forms of Protestantism represent the second most often practiced organized faiths.

As some lose members –e.g., Pentecostal and Seventh-day Adventists – other religions are seeing increased membership. Fundamentalist and evangelical faiths are the fastest growing religions in Belize at the moment. One of the ways smaller religions are maintaining their presence in Belize is by living within faith-based communities where the presence of like-minded believers is so strong, community members don’t necessarily rely upon their church to help them maintain this bond.

From icons and drums to high mass and pagan rituals as well as syncretic beliefs that can’t be categorized, Belize’s religious mix is both a testimony to a nation populated by tolerant people and the strength of belief that keeps community members heavily invested in faith – no matter which one of the long lists of religious affiliations Belizeans decide to make their own.