Religious Differences
Roman Catholicism is the principal religion in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Ricans are very devout. However, some revivalist sects, particularly Pentecostals and Jehovah’s Witnesses, have made inroads, especially with people with lower socioeconomic status. Protestantism, which was suppressed under the Spanish regime, has spread under United States rule, making modern Puerto Rico interconfessional.
Puerto Ricans are guaranteed freedom of religion just as the states are, and Christianity is predominant. Of the Christians, the majority are Roman Catholic with about 85 percent of Puerto Ricans claiming to be Catholic. Almost all of the major and minor protestant denominations are represented as well, particularly Pentacostals and Adventists. As for the non-Christians, there are small Muslim and Jewish populations (3 major mosques are on the island), and some Puerto Ricans also practice Santaria, a Caribbean religion that originated in Cuba.
Many of the Puerto Rican religious ceremonies are part of family gatherings and are the center of the gathering. In the United States, although Protestantism is the majority religion, many religions are represented, and there is separation between Church and State (Rivera-Schoendorf, n.d.).
In Puerto Rico, there is freedom of religion; however, religious celebrations may influence or be associated with certain areas of teaching. Classrooms may display religious symbols, such as the cross. In America, there is separation between Church and State -- religion does not play a part in the public school setting. For example, religious symbols are not displayed in public schools, nor in any other public building.
Upon the death of a close relative, Puerto Rican family members, including children, may wear black to express mourning. Some children may also wear a black scarf on their heads as a sign of mourning for a mother or a father. Traditionally, loved ones saved a lock of the deceased’s hair to keep as a remembrance. In America, the death of a close relative or family member is generally mourned for one week. Special clothing to mark mourning is not worn beyond the traditional services.
In America, the Christmas holiday is generally celebrated on one day, December 25th. Many people in the United States also celebrate Christmas Eve with a special dinner. Puerto Ricans also celebrate Noche Buena (Christmas Eve); however, they celebrate Christmas for several days until the Epiphany on January 6th, which marks the arrival of the three kings bearing gifts to Jesus Christ at the time of his birth. The festival of Los Tres Reyes Magos is one of the most important Puerto Rican religious traditions (Religion, 2004).
In Puerto Rico, Los Tres Reyes Magos is also known as Three Kings Day. It is a Latin American holiday representing the height of the Christmas season, marking the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas, and commemorating the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Latin American countries in particular look forward to this holiday, as gifts are exchanged on this date (January 6th), not on Christmas day.
In many Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn't hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men -- the bearers of gifts -- who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. A grand feast is also held on the Epiphany to honor the occasion of Jesus' baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.
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Puerto Ricans are guaranteed freedom of religion just as the states are, and Christianity is predominant. Of the Christians, the majority are Roman Catholic with about 85 percent of Puerto Ricans claiming to be Catholic. Almost all of the major and minor protestant denominations are represented as well, particularly Pentacostals and Adventists. As for the non-Christians, there are small Muslim and Jewish populations (3 major mosques are on the island), and some Puerto Ricans also practice Santaria, a Caribbean religion that originated in Cuba.
Many of the Puerto Rican religious ceremonies are part of family gatherings and are the center of the gathering. In the United States, although Protestantism is the majority religion, many religions are represented, and there is separation between Church and State (Rivera-Schoendorf, n.d.).
In Puerto Rico, there is freedom of religion; however, religious celebrations may influence or be associated with certain areas of teaching. Classrooms may display religious symbols, such as the cross. In America, there is separation between Church and State -- religion does not play a part in the public school setting. For example, religious symbols are not displayed in public schools, nor in any other public building.
Upon the death of a close relative, Puerto Rican family members, including children, may wear black to express mourning. Some children may also wear a black scarf on their heads as a sign of mourning for a mother or a father. Traditionally, loved ones saved a lock of the deceased’s hair to keep as a remembrance. In America, the death of a close relative or family member is generally mourned for one week. Special clothing to mark mourning is not worn beyond the traditional services.
In America, the Christmas holiday is generally celebrated on one day, December 25th. Many people in the United States also celebrate Christmas Eve with a special dinner. Puerto Ricans also celebrate Noche Buena (Christmas Eve); however, they celebrate Christmas for several days until the Epiphany on January 6th, which marks the arrival of the three kings bearing gifts to Jesus Christ at the time of his birth. The festival of Los Tres Reyes Magos is one of the most important Puerto Rican religious traditions (Religion, 2004).
In Puerto Rico, Los Tres Reyes Magos is also known as Three Kings Day. It is a Latin American holiday representing the height of the Christmas season, marking the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas, and commemorating the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Latin American countries in particular look forward to this holiday, as gifts are exchanged on this date (January 6th), not on Christmas day.
In many Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn't hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men -- the bearers of gifts -- who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. A grand feast is also held on the Epiphany to honor the occasion of Jesus' baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.
Sources: