| Religion In The Philippines |
Article Index for Religion In |
Website Links For Religion |
Information AboutReligion In The Philippines |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT RELIGION IN THE PHILIPPINES | |
| religion in the philippinesreligion in the philippines | |
| filipino culture | |
| filipino society | |
| religion by country | |
| philippines | |
| religion in asia | |
|
ANIMISM Animism , for lack of better terminology, can be used to describe the indigenous spiritual traditions practiced by people in the Philippines during pre-colonial times. Some indigenous people continue to practice it today. It is a set of belief and cultural mores anchored in the idea that the world is inhabited by spirits and supernatural beings, both good and bad, and that respect be accorded to them through ritual.These spirits in nature and all around are known as "''anitos''". Some worship specific deities, such as the supreme deity, Bathala. Variations of animistic practices occur in different ethnic groups. Magic , chants and prayers are often key features. Its practitioners were highly respected (and some feared) in the community, as they were healers, Midwives (''hilot''), Shaman s, Witch es and Warlock s, Priest esses (''babaylan/ catalonan''), tribal historians and wizened elders that provided the spiritual and traditional life of the community. In the Visayan regions, there is a belief in the existence of witches or Mangkukulam and local monsters or " Aswang ", despite external profession of the Catholic and Christian faith. In general, the spiritual and economic leadership in many pre-colonial Filipino ethnic groups was provided by women, as oppose to the political and military leadership accorded to men. Spanish occupiers during the 16th century arrived in the Philippines noting about warrior priestesses leading tribal spiritual affairs. Many were condemned as Pagan Heretics . These matriarchal tendencies run deep in Filipino society and can be seen in the strong leadership roles modern Filipino women are assuming in business, politics, academia, the arts and in religious institutions. Folk Religion remains a deep source of comfort, belief and cultural pride among many Filipinos. Nominally animists constitute about one percent of the population. But animism's influence pervade daily life and practice of the colonial religions that took root in the Philippines. Elements of folk belief melded with Christian and Islamic practices to give a unique perspective on these religions. BUDDHISM See main article Buddhism In The Philippines Buddhism in the Philippines is largely confined to the Filipino Chinese , Chinese , Japanese , Korean , and Vietnamese communities. There are temples in Manila, and Cebu, and other places. CHRISTIANITY Christianity arrived in the Philippines with the landing of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. In the late 16th century, soldiers and missionaries firmly planted the seeds of conversion when they officially claimed the archipelago for Spain and named it after their king. Missionary activity during the country's long colonial rule by Spain and the United States transformed the Philippines into one of the two predominantly Christian nations in East Asia, with approximately 95% of the population belonging to the Christian faith, the other Christian nation being East Timor . Roman Catholicism See Also: Roman Catholicism in The Philippines Roman Catholic is the predominant religion, with 83% of the population belonging to the faith. The country has a significant Spanish Catholic tradition, and Spanish style Catholicism is highly embedded in the culture. This is shown in rituals such as Misa De Gallo , Black Nazarene , Santo Niño and Aguinaldo processions where large crowds attend a processions in honouring their patron saints. Processions are conducted during feast days of the patron saints of various Barrio s or Barangay s. Every year on October 31 to November 2 , Filipino families celebrates the Day Of The Dead which they spend much of the 3 days and 3 evenings visiting their ancestral graves, showing respect and honor to their departed relatives by feasting and offering prayers. Catholicism in the Philippines is unique for the syncretic blend of Christian and indigenous elements to the religion (sometimes referred to as Folk Christianity). There is also a deep Marian tradition and devotion to various saints and the Santo Niño, with the figure of the Virgin Mary often more central to and more venerated in the faith than Jesus, a possible expression of pre-colonial spirituality and culture, with women and mothers being important to tribal affairs. Catholic Charismatic Renewal In The Philippines The '' El Shaddai '' is a large Catholic Charismatic Renewal led by ' Brother Mike Velarde '. Other groups include '' Couples For Christ '', '' Ligaya Ng Panginoon '', '' Christian Youth In Action '', '' FAMILIA Community '' etc. Anglicanism and Old Catholicism The Philippine Independent Church , more commonly known as the Aglipayan Church, arose from a Catholic nationalist movement at the turn of the century. It is in full communion with the Philippine Episcopal Church , the rest of the Anglican Communion , and the Union Of Utrecht Iglesia ni Cristo The Iglesia Ni Cristo ('''INC''', Filipino for Church Of Christ ) is an independent in the religious organization based in Philippines . It was registered with the Philippines government by Felix Manalo on July 27 , 1914 . Other Denominations See main article: Protestants In The Philippines Protestantism arrived in the Philippines with the coming of the Americans at the turn of the 20th century. In 1898 , Spain lost the Philippines to the United States. After a bitter fight for independence against its new occupiers, Filipinos surrendered and were again colonized. The arrival of Protestant American missionaries soon followed.
ISLAM See main article Islam In The Philippines , Bangsamoro and Filipino Muslim . Islam reached the Philippines in the 14th century with the arrival of merchants and missionaries from the Arab ian peninsula and from India . Filipino Muslims make up about five percent of the population and are concentrated in the southern island of Mindanao. The '' Bangsamoro '' or Muslim Nation, a term used to define the disparate ethnic groups that profess Islam in the Philippines as their religion, have been fighting the most protracted war of independence in world history. These include the Tausug s and the Maranao s. The Islamic separatist movement in the Philippines had been and is being waged for almost five centuries -- against the Spanish, the Americans, the Japanese and the predominantly Christian Filipinos of today's independent republic. Filipino Muslims follow the Sunni tradition. HINDUISM AND SIKHISM For Hinduism, see main article Hinduism In The Philippines Hinduism in the Philippines are largely confined to the Expatriate India n community. There are temples in Manila, as well as in the provinces. There are temples also for Sikhism , sometimes located near Hindu temples. The two Paco temples are well known, comprising a Hindu temple and a Sikh temple. |
|
|