Religion and Social Issues in the Bahamas and the Caribbean
Context matters
The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean are religiously diverse but historically shaped by Christianity, brought through European colonisation and enslaved African people, who also preserved African-derived traditions such as Obeah, Vodou in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba and the Spiritual Baptist faith in Trinidad. Know that the region includes Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist and other churches, alongside Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Bahá'í and Rastafari communities. Rastafari, originating in Jamaica, centres on Haile Selassie, Babylon, Zion, ital living and the use of marijuana as a sacrament - a topic often examined.
Learn the main social issues: crime and violence, poverty, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and health, education, gender equality, gambling and lotteries, capital punishment, abortion, same-sex relationships, environmental stewardship and climate change (hurricanes, rising seas, coral bleaching).
Be able to state what religious bodies teach, why, and how they act: pastoral care, charity, food banks, prison ministry, disaster relief, advocacy and education through church schools.
Traps to watch
- Do not assume the Caribbean is uniformly Christian; name other communities.
- Do not present a church's view as the view of all Christians; note diversity.
- Do not confuse Rastafari with a political movement only; it is a religion with distinctive beliefs.
- Avoid one-sided answers on contested issues; show both a religious argument and a counter-argument.
Rule of thumb
Use issue–teaching–action–evaluation. Example: "On crime, many Bahamian churches teach forgiveness and the dignity of the person; they run youth programmes and visit prisons; this is valuable because it addresses causes, though critics say prevention needs government investment too."