Religious Beliefs and Spirituality in Samoa

Samoa has an affluent selection of religion both of Western and Eastern origin. This can be attributed to the missionary visits that occurred in the land since 1700’s. Also, Samoans being renowned as seafarers, frequent contact with foreign believers is highly probable along the navigation. Hence, emergence of various religions came about across the country especially with the State’s promotion of freedom in the practice of religion.

In 2001 census, common religious groups include Congregationalist (35%), Roman Catholic (20%), Methodist (15%), Latter Day Saints (13%), Assembly of God (7%), Seventh Day Adventist (3%), other Christians (5%), Worship Centres (1%), and other unspecified (1%). Other budding religious groups consist of Baha’i faith (seven churches), Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. More often than not, all these religions have multi-ethnic compositions.

The State has established indigenous beliefs long before it officially embraced Western religion. In fact, ancient Samoans believe in the existence of gods responsible for the bringing of luck (both good and bad luck) in the villagers. These gods linger either in form of bodiless spirits or embodied spirits (on living and nonliving things). Native beliefs such as these ones account for the superstitious nature of village folks in Samoa even in the present.

Most of foreign religions were introduced by missionaries. Christianity was initiated upon the arrival of London Missionary Society headed by John Williams. Methodist was extended to the islands through the national tie of Samoa with Tonga. Catholicism was later on instituted with the Church of France initially with two priests sent in the territory. From here, many different religious groups tried to build their settlement for the spread of some other faiths.