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An ethnic religion is a religion that is closely tied to a particular ethnic group.^[1] Adherents of an ethnic religion may constitute an ethnoreligious group.

The term ethnic religion is often applied to a religion in a particular place, rather than to a religion in general. For example, Hinduism in the Caribbean has been considered an ethnic religion by some scholars, because Hindus in Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname consider themselves a distinct ethnic group.^[2] Korean Christian churches in the United States have been described as an ethnic religion, because they are closely associated with the ethnic identity of immigrant Korean Americans.^[3]

Some scholars classify entire religions as either universal religions that seek worldwide acceptance and actively look for new converts, or ethnic religions that are identified with a particular ethnic group and do not seek converts.^[1]

Many scholars reject the term "ethnic religion", pointing out that all religious practices, no matter their philosophical origin, are ethnic and culturally bound in nature.^[4][5][6]

[edit] See also

• Civil religion
• Ethnoreligious group

[edit] References