Christianity is the largest and most widely practiced religion in Suriname, representing just under half of the country’s population. Because Suriname is one of the most culturally and religiously diverse countries in South America, Christian groups coexist and interact extensively with large Hindu and Muslim communities.
The landscape of Christianity in Suriname reflects its colonial history and diverse ethnic makeup, with significant variations across denominations and communities.
Demographics and Major Denominations
According to the most recent census data from the General Bureau of Statistics in Suriname (which mirrors long-term national trends), the religious makeup of the country is as follows:
- Roman Catholicism: Roughly 21% to 22% of the population, making it the single largest Christian denomination in the country. The Catholic Church in Suriname operates numerous schools, social institutions, and parishes across the nation.
- Moravian Church: Approximately 11% to 12% of the population. The Moravian Brethren have a deep historical presence in Suriname, having arrived in 1735 to do missionary work among enslaved people and Indigenous communities.
- Pentecostal and Evangelical Groups: Constituting about 11% to 12% of the population. This is the fastest-growing sector of Christianity in Suriname, actively converting followers from both historic Christian churches and traditional localized practices.
- Historic Protestant Denominations: Roughly 1% to 2%. The Dutch Reformed Church and Lutheran churches were initially the colonial state churches of the European plantation owners, though their numbers have shrunk over time as congregants shifted to newer Evangelical movements.
History and Cultural Syncretism
Christianity was originally brought to the region by European colonists in the 17th century. While initial efforts primarily focused on white colonists, the Moravian Brethren and later the Roman Catholics established widespread missions among enslaved Africans and Indigenous Amerindians.
A unique feature of faith in Suriname is religious syncretism, particularly among Afro-Surinamese communities. Many individuals of Maroon and Creole descent identify as Christian but also participate in Winti, an Afro-Surinamese syncretic religion that includes the worship of nature and honoring ancestors. Similarly, indigenous shamans (piaimen) are occasionally consulted by Indigenous Christians in the remote interior regions.
Interreligious Relations
Unlike many regions where religious conflict occurs, Suriname is known for remarkable interfaith tolerance. A notable symbol of this harmony is found in the capital city of Paramaribo, where the Neve Shalom Synagogue and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Nasir Mosque are built directly next to each other. The Christian community actively participates in national interfaith discussions and collaborates with other religious bodies (through organizations like the Committee for Christian Churches) to promote social harmony and address national issues.
Links for further overview of Suriname:
Stichting HEALING THE NATIONS 