MARSHALL ISLANDS

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.

Both government policy and the generally amicable relationship among the religious communities in society contribute to the free practice of religion.

The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights.

Section I. Government Policies on Freedom of Religion

Legal/Policy Framework

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice.

Religious Demography

Major religions include the United Church of Christ (formerly Congregational) with 54.8 percent of the population; the Assembly of God with 25.8 percent; and the Roman Catholic Church with 8.4 percent. Also represented are Bukot Nan Jesus (also known as Assembly of God Part Two) with 2.8 percent; the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints with 2.1 percent; Seventh-Day Adventists with 0.9 percent; Full Gospel with 0.7 percent; and Baha'i Faith with 0.6 percent. Persons without any religious affiliation account for 1.5 percent of the population, and another 1.4 percent belong to religions not named by the census.

There are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Seventh-Day Adventists. Religious schools include the Assumption Catholic School and the Rita Christian School as well as facilities operated by the United Church of Christ and the Assembly of God.

The Government takes no active steps to promote interfaith understanding, and it does not intervene in interfaith discussion.

There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.

There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners.

Forced Conversion of Minor U.S. Citizens

There were no reports of the forced religious conversion of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the Government's refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.

Section II. Societal Attitudes

Although Christianity is a dominant social and cultural force, there are amicable relations between the country's religious denominations. Nonbelievers, who constitute a very small percentage of the residents, do not suffer discrimination. Typically, governmental and social functions begin and end with an interdenominational Christian prayer delivered by an ordained minister, cleric, or church official.

Section III. U.S. Government Policy

The U.S. Embassy discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the overall context of the promotion of human rights.

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