Philippines, religion: features of development

Philippines - the most beautiful island country, washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Most tourists who visited this country, note how unique the Philippines. Population, religion, culture and traditions - all this bears the imprint of a special, nothing like a Filipino soul.

A little about the Philippines

Few state in the world can boast of what consists of more than seven thousand islands. Virtually all of them are of volcanic origin and are entirely covered with emerald forests of amazing beauty. In the depths of the islands are hidden historical monuments and ruins of ancient pagan temples.

Philippines attract tourists with its stunning beaches and clear turquoise waters. Many islands remain virtually untouched, and the local population tries to inscribe hotels into the landscape in such a way as not to damage the unique nature of these places.

Most of the year in the Philippines is dry and hot weather, only from May to September, lasts a wet season with numerous tropical downpours. Tourists come to the islands all year round and enjoy beach rest, combining it with sightseeing of historical and religious monuments.

Religious Issues in the Philippines

All the tourists who visited the Philippines, the religion of the local population raises many questions. From the side it seems that in the state all world religions, who manage to coexist peacefully for many years, are intermixed. In the history of the country there was not a single serious conflict on the basis of faith. Therefore, very often travelers are interested in what is the official religion of the Philippines. The answer to this question can surprise many - in the country representatives of three basic faiths successfully coexist.

Philippines: main religion

I would like to note that the Philippines is still a very unusual country. The overwhelming majority of its population professes Christianity. According to the latest estimates, Christians make up ninety percent of the entire local population of the country. At the same time, they belong to different religious currents. About eighty percent are categorized as Catholics, four percent are convinced Protestants, and another four percent prefer the two local branches of the Christian church.

Tourists who come to the Philippines, with difficulty believe that an Asian country can not profess Buddhism, but Christianity. But do not forget that the very unusual state of the Philippines, whose religion is surprised and amazed by many, does not immediately reveal all its rites and sacraments. After all, it is absolutely unclear why this particular religion began to have such a strong influence on the local population. Let's try to understand this question.

Philippines: religion, temples

The first Christian churches appeared in the Philippines around the sixteenth century. Originally they were built high in the mountains to protect against the ravages of the local population. An important influence on the formation of religious beliefs of the islanders was the Spaniards, who came to the Philippines as conquerors. At the time of their arrival, the entire local population was disunited and adhered to pagan beliefs. Each tribe had its own gods and traditions. This led to armed conflicts and clashes. Missionaries who began to preach Catholicism quickly captured the imagination of naive natives. Literally in a short time, most of the islanders believed in Christianity and were baptized. This made it possible to unite all the tribes and avoid a bloody war between the leaders.

Protestants appeared in the Philippines much later. The first missionaries landed on the islands in the late nineteenth century and managed to convert just a few percent of the local population into their faith. From this period, the islanders never had a question about what kind of religion in the Philippines. The natives unequivocally gave their hearts to Christianity.

Other Religions in the Philippines

Do not forget how original the Philippines. Religion in this country is represented by other faiths. Islam is practiced by about five percent of the islanders. Most Muslims settled in the south of the state. This is the historical center of Islam in the Philippines. As early as the beginning of the thirteenth century, it was brought to one of the islands and was widely distributed there. For a long time, the Muslims had their own autonomy and the government headed by the Sultan.

Buddhism also has its admirers in the Philippines, but it came very late into the state territory and could not take a lasting place in the minds and hearts of the islanders.

One-two percent of the local population preaches Taoism and ancient pagan cults.

Features of Christianity in the Philippines

It is worth noting that Christians living in the Philippines are very ardent followers of their religion. Many Catholic figures even apply to them the definition of "religious fanatics". The islanders reverently cherish all the church holidays, some of them are accompanied by mass street processions. A particularly important holiday, Good Friday, gathers in the streets almost all the local population. Believers pass through the streets, undressing to the waist and lashing themselves with rope whips. This self-flagellation symbolizes mockery of Jesus Christ before the crucifixion. To a similar procession with self-flagellation, the believers are preparing for several months: they fast and are cleansed of their sins by long prayers.

Philippines can amaze tourists with its beauty and subtle trembling soul, hidden in the depths of the island state. For many, traveling to the Philippines will be a real discovery. And first of all it's worth visiting this country in order to re-discover yourself in it.