View source for Religion in Argentina

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Religion in Argentina 2019 Conicet <ref name= Conicet>[https://www.conicet.gov.ar/creencias-valores-y-actitudes-en-la-sociedad-argentina/ Creencias, valores y actitudes en la sociedad argentina], conicet.gov.ar, 29 January 2020 (Spanish)</ref>
| label1 = [[Catholic Church in Argentina|Catholicism]]
| value1 = 62.9
| color1 = Purple
| label2 = [[Protestantism]]
| value2 = 15.3
| color2 = #BA55D3
| label3 = None
| value3 = 18.9
| color3 = Beige
| label4 = [[Islam in Argentina|Islam]]
| value4 = 2
| color4 = Green
| label5 = Others
| value5 = 2
| color5 = Lightgray
}}
{{Pie chart
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| caption = Religion in Argentina (2018) UADE/VOICES!<ref name="VOICES!/UADE">[https://www.uade.edu.ar/media/5dxoe0im/informe-cis-2019-n-3-religión-issn-2618-2173.pdf Religión en Argentina 2018]</ref>
| label1 = [[Catholic Church in Argentina|Catholicism]]
| value1 = 66
| color1 = Purple
| label2 = [[Protestantism]]
| value2 = 11
| color2 = #BA55D3
| label3 = None
| value3 = 22
| color3 = Beige
| label4 = Others
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[[File:Procesión del Milagro en la provincia de Salta - Argentina.jpg|thumb|[[Argentines|Argentine]] [[Christians]] commemorating the [[crucifixion of Jesus]] in [[Salta city]].]]

[[Christianity]] is the most widely professed '''religion in Argentina''', with [[Catholic Church]] being its largest denomination. This historical background is very much due to the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish influence]] brought about through the newly conquered territories. However, affiliation with [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches is increasing and immigration throughout the 20th century has brought other religions from various regions to Argentina.<ref name= Conicet>[https://www.conicet.gov.ar/creencias-valores-y-actitudes-en-la-sociedad-argentina/ Creencias, valores y actitudes en la sociedad argentina], conicet.gov.ar, 29 January 2020 (Spanish)</ref>

[[Argentina]] is a [[secular]] nation and its constitution guarantees freedom of religion.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/argentina/#:~:text=The%20constitution%20and%20laws%20provide,is%20no%20official%20state%20religion US State Dept 2022 report]</ref> [[Good Friday]] and [[Christmas]] are recognised as national holidays.<ref name=creencias>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/08/27/um/encuesta1.pdf |title=Encuesta CONICET sobre creencias|date=6 August 2008 |access-date=27 November 2015}} A very detailed survey on belief and religious practice f life. {{in lang|es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/04/Pew-Research-Center_Global-Views-of-Cultural-Change-TOPLINE_2019-04-22.pdf |title=Topline Questionnaire Spring 2018 Survey |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=22 April 2019}}</ref>

==Christianity==
===Catholicism===
{{main|Catholic Church in Argentina}}
[[File:Facade BA Metropolitan Church.jpg|thumb|The [[Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral]].]]
[[File:Basílica de Lujan- 132.JPG|thumb|The [[Basilica of Our Lady of Luján]].]]
In 2020, estimates for the number of Catholics vary from as low as 62.9% of the population,<ref>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/argentina/ US State Dept 2022 report]</ref> to as much as 92.12%.<ref>[https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/argentina Catholics And Culture website, Retrieved 2023-08-01]</ref> The CIA Factbook lists 92% of the country as Catholic, but adds that less than 20% practice their faith regularly.<ref name="cia.gov">[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/argentina/ Argentina]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].{{snd}} in People and Society section{{snd}} see also [https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003300/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html#ar Religions{{snd}} Argentina]</ref>

Argentina's society, culture, and politics are deeply imbued with Catholicism. The Church's place in Argentine national identity, which spans across the ideological spectrum, stems from the perpetual ability of Argentines on different sides of political and social divides to find some level of support in the Church.<ref name="georgetown1">{{cite web |url= http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/countries/argentina |title=Argentina |publisher=[[Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs]] |access-date=2011-12-05}}</ref> The Church solidified its hold on the territory of modern-day Argentina during the period of Spanish colonial rule from the 16th to early 19th centuries. Church leaders variously supported and opposed the policies of [[Juan Perón]] and the violent tactics of the [[Dirty War]].<ref name="georgetown1"/> Although Catholicism is not the official religion of the state, and freedom of religion is guaranteed by the [[Constitution of Argentina|Constitution]],<ref name=CSJN/> Catholic representatives take part in many state functions. Today, areas of [[Church-state relations in Argentina|Church-State contention]] include [[contraception]], economic policies, and the disputed [[Dirty War#Participation of Catholic Church members|involvement of the Church in the Dirty War]].<ref name="georgetown1"/>

Catholic practices in Argentina (especially in [[Indigenous peoples in Argentina|indigenous]] areas) might be seen as incorporating a great deal of [[syncretism]]; for example, religious festivals in the north-western provinces feature Catholic icons in (or along with) ancient [[Andean]] indigenous ceremonies. The [[Pachamama]] worship is still widespread throughout Salta and Jujuy along with Catholic beliefs, without opposition from the Catholic bishops.

The church in Argentina is divided into [[diocese]]s and [[archdiocese]]s. Buenos Aires, for example, is an archdiocese owing to is size and historical significance as the nation's capital. [[Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral]], the seat of the archbishop, houses the remains of General [[José de San Martín]] in a mausoleum.

There are nine Catholic universities in Argentina: the [[Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina]] (Buenos Aires), the [[Universidad del Salvador]] (Buenos Aires), the [[Universidad Católica de Córdoba]], the Universidad de La Plata, the Universidad de Salta, the Universidad de Santa Fe, the Universidad de Cuyo, and the Universidad de Santiago del Estero. [[Religious orders]] run and sponsor hundreds of primary and secondary schools throughout the country, with and without government funding.

Cardinal [[Archbishop of Buenos Aires]] Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina was elected to the papacy, as [[Pope Francis]], on 13 March 2013.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} https://www.humanite.fr/monde/habemus-papam-et-130-000-tweets-la-minute-517427 Habemus Papam et 130 000 Tweets la minute</ref>

===Other Christian denominations===
[[File:Buenos_Aires_-_San_Telmo_-_Iglesia_Ortodoxa_Rusa_-_20071215a.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Buenos Aires|Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity]].]]
[[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches have been gaining ground since the 1980s. In Latin America, most Protestants are called ''Evangélicos'' ([[Evangelicals]]). One survey in 2008 found approximately 9% of the total population were Protestant; most of whom, 7.9% of the total population were [[Pentecostal]]. While Pentecostal churches originally attracted mostly the lower class, they show an increasing appeal to the urban middle class.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://brill.com/view/title/31866|title=Middle Class Pentecostalism in Argentina: Inappropriate Spirits|last=Jens|first=Koehrsen|date=8 April 2016|publisher=Brill|isbn=9789004310148|location=Boston|oclc=932618793}}</ref> Middle class congregations develop a distinctive style of Pentecostalism, more adapted to society.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Koehrsen|first=Jens|date=2017-09-01|title=When Sects Become Middle Class: Impression Management among Middle-Class Pentecostals in Argentina|journal=Sociology of Religion|language=en|volume=78|issue=3|pages=318–339|doi=10.1093/socrel/srx030|issn=1069-4404|doi-access=free}}</ref>

In addition 1.2% of the population were Jehovah's Witnesses and 0.9% [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].  This study also found that Protestants were the only group in which a majority regularly attended services.<ref name="creencias" /> A 2013 survey found 15% Protestant (9% Pentecostal,4% refusing to say which Protestant denomination and 2% mainline ).<ref name=pewreport2014>{{cite book|title=Religion in Latin America: Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region|date=13 November 2014|publisher=Pew Research Center|pages=14, 162, 164|url=http://www.pewforum.org/files/2014/11/Religion-in-Latin-America-11-12-PM-full-PDF.pdf|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920043816/http://www.pewforum.org/files/2014/11/Religion-in-Latin-America-11-12-PM-full-PDF.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] claims over 474,000 members with two temples and 726 congregations.<ref name=lds-stats>{{cite web|title=Facts and Statistics: Argentina|url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/argentina|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref>

The very first [[Waldensian]] settlers from Italy arrived in South America in 1856 and today the Waldensian Church of the [[Río de La Plata]] (which forms a united church with the Waldensian Evangelical Church) has approximately 40 congregations and 15,000 members shared between [[Uruguay]] and [[Argentina]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120525110638/http://www.iglesiavaldense.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=103&Itemid=59 Iglesia Evangélica Valdense &ndash; Nuestra Historia]}}</ref>

The [[Argentine Catholic Apostolic Church]] is a derivative movement of the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church ([[Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira]]) founded by the excommunicated Roman Catholic Bishop [[Carlos Duarte Costa]] of Brazil in 1945. The Argentine Catholic Apostolic Church was founded, according to varying sources, in 1970 or 1971, in Buenos Aires by its first Archbishop–Primate [[Leonardo Morizio Dominguez]].

The [[Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America]] represents the [[Anglican Communion]] in Argentina.

A 2015 study estimates some 2,200 Christian believers from a Muslim background in the country, most of them belonging to some form of Protestantism.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Johnstone|first1=Patrick|last2=Miller|first2=Duane|title=Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census|journal=IJRR|date=2015|volume=11|page=14|url=https://www.academia.edu/16338087|access-date=20 November 2015}}</ref>

Orthodox Christianity is represented by [[Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch|Antiochian]], Constantinople, Russian, Serbian, Romanian and Greek Orthodox Churches.<ref name="orthodox">{{cite web |title=Юрий Максимов. Православие в Аргентине / Православие.Ru |url=http://www.pravoslavie.ru/3223.html |website=pravoslavie.ru |access-date=23 April 2019 |language=ru}}</ref>

==Islam==
[[File:Centro Cultural Islámico Rey Fahd, Buenos Aires.jpg|thumb|[[King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center]]]]
{{main|Islam in Argentina}}

Argentina has the largest [[Muslim]] minority in Latin America. Although the national census does not ask about religious affiliation, precluding accurate statistics, [[Argentina]]'s Muslim community is estimated to number around 2.14% of the total population by World Christian Database(2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Profiles {{!}} World Religion |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=11c |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The Association of Religion Data Archives (the ARDA) |language=en-gb}}</ref> Which is roughly 910,000. According USA report estimates in 500,000 ranged around 600,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Argentina |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2005/51624.htm#:~:text=Although%20there%20is%20a%20presumption%20that%20persons,include%20smaller%20groups%20of%20Mennonites%20and%20Melchites. |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref>

The 20th century saw an influx of immigrants from the [[Ottoman Empire]], mostly [[Arabs]] from [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]]. They are generically called 'Turcos' (Turks) in Argentina, because when most arrived, Lebanon and Syria were territories of the Turkish [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref>[http://www.elindependiente.com.ar/papel/hoy/archivo_2004/noticias_v.asp?39074 Recopilaron casi 200 años de los sirio libaneses en Argentina] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908043743/http://www.elindependiente.com.ar/papel/hoy/archivo_2004/noticias_v.asp?39074 |date=8 September 2014 }}</ref> It is estimated that today there are about 3.5 million Argentines of Arab descent.<ref>[http://academic.udayton.edu/race/06hrights/GeoRegions/SouthAmerica/argentina01.htm September 2001 Executive Summary, Racial Discrimination: The Record of Argentina, Human Rights Documentation Center]</ref> The majority of these Arab immigrants were Arab Christians and some were [[Mizrahi Jews|Mizrahi]] and [[Sephardic Jews]]. Though accurate information is unavailable, it is likely that less than a quarter of Arab migrants were Muslim Arabs. The descendants of Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews are more likely to identify themselves as just [[Jews]] rather than [[Arab Jews]] today.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

The King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center, the largest mosque in South America, was completed in 1996 with the help of the [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]], on a piece of land measuring 20,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>. The total land area granted by the Argentine government measures 34,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>, and was offered by President [[Carlos Menem]] following his visit to [[Saudi Arabia]] in 1992. The project cost around US$30 million, includes a mosque, library, two schools, and a park, and is located in the middle-class district of [[Palermo, Buenos Aires]].

The [[Islamic Organization of Latin America]] (IOLA), headquartered in Argentina, is considered the most active organization in Latin America in promoting Islamic-affiliated endeavors. The IOLA holds events to promote the unification of Muslims living in Latin America, as well as the propagation of Islam.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}

==Judaism==
{{Main|Judaism in Argentina}}
[[File:Buenos Aires - Barracas - Sociedad Unión Israelita Sefaradí Or Torah.jpg|thumb|Synagogue Or Torah in Buenos Aires.]]
Argentina has the largest [[Jews|Jewish]] population in Latin America and south of the [[Tropic of Cancer]],<ref>CIA World Factbook</ref> with about 300,000 people. The community numbered about 400,000 after World War II, but the appeal of [[Israel]], and economic and cultural pressures at home led many to leave for Israel, Europe or the United States; recent instability in Israel has resulted in a modest reversal of the trend since 2003.<ref name=stateirf>{{cite web|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71446.htm|title=Argentina|work=International Religious Freedom Report|publisher=U.S. Department of State|year=2006|access-date=2009-09-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2003/12/22/i-03001.htm |title=Clarín |publisher=Clarin.com |date=2003-12-22 |access-date=2010-04-25 |archive-date=7 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707022810/http://www.clarin.com/diario/2003/12/22/i-03001.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

One of the Jewish groups in Argentina includes the [[Sephardi Jews]], composed of Spanish and Portuguese migrants to Argentina. Migration began in the 18th century and continued until a few years following the birth of Israel. A majority of Sephardi Jews migrated to Argentina because of both groups speaking the [[Spanish language]]. However, after the creation of Israel, Sephardi tensions amongst Muslims in Latin American countries began to rise resulting in the remaining Sephardi populations, found mainly in Morocco, migrating to Argentina. [[Buenos Aires]] holds almost the entire Sephardic Jewish population in Argentina, home to roughly 50,000.  In Argentina, Sephardi Jews remained separate of [[Ashkenazi Jews]], who in the later half of the 20th century, made up most of the Jewish population in Latin America. However, as an overwhelming amount of the Argentinian population became Ashkenazic, the Sephardic Jews began marrying outside of the Sephardi Jewish community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://0-search.credoreference.com.dewey2.library.denison.edu/content/entry/abcibamrle/jews_modern_latin_america/0|title=Millennium Web Catalog}}</ref>

Although Jews account for less than 1% of Argentina's population, [[Buenos Aires]] has the [[History of the Jews of Argentina|largest population of Jews]] in the [[Americas]], outside of the United States. It is the seventh largest Jewish community in the world.<ref name="DashefskySheskin2013">{{cite book|author1=Arnold Dashefsky|author2=Ira M. Sheskin|title=American Jewish Year Book 2012|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MChymxEfdsC&pg=PA254|access-date=12 March 2013|year=2013|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-94-007-5204-7|pages=254–}}</ref>

==Buddhism==
[[Buddhism in Argentina]] has been practiced since the early 1980s.

Although Argentina is largely [[Catholic Church in Argentina|Catholic Christianity]], [[Chinese people|Chinese]] immigrants established the first Chinese Buddhist temple in 1986, and [[Korean people|Korean]] immigrants founded their own temple. Since then many groups have been giving teachings, some of them rooted in the best known [[Sōtō]] tradition from [[Japan]], but also in many [[Tibet]]an institutes for the practice of [[meditation]]([[Mahamudra]], [[Dzog Chen]], [[Lam Rim]]).

[[Tenzin Gyatso|The XIV]] [[Dalai Lama]] visited [[Buenos Aires]] twice. The first time was in 2006,<ref>{{cite web |title=H.H. the Dalai Lama in Argentina |url=https://www.dalailama.com/news/2006/h-h-the-dalai-lama-in-argentina |website=His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet |access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> the second in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Buenos Aires and addresses the Youth |url=https://tibetoffice.org/media-press/news/his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-arrives-in-buenos-aires-and-addresses-the-youth |website=The Office of Tibet |access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref>

==Hinduism==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2025}}{{main|Hinduism in South America}}

Argentina has 2,030 [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|persons of Indian origin]] (PIOs) and 1,300 non-resident Indians (NRIs). Some of them still refer to [[ayurveda]], practice yoga, enjoy Indian classical music and speak Hindustani dialects and languages. They have established an Indian Association in the northern [[Provinces of Argentina|provinces]] and organize social and cultural events to celebrate Indian festivals. Unfortunately, there is little interaction between them and those who have settled down in other parts of the extensive country. A large number of the Indian diaspora living in [[Buenos Aires]] are businessmen, doctors, financial or business executives, and employees of multinational corporations. Most of them have retained their Indian citizenship. Many [[Hindu]]s are [[Indo-Caribbean]]s from [[Guyana]], [[Jamaica]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], and [[Suriname]].{{CN|date=February 2025}}

==Paganism==
According to a New York Times article there is a witch's group with over 25,000 followers and possibly millions of practitioners of Argentine cábala (not to be confused with Kabballah from which the term descends), a practice blending astrology, superstition, soccer, and paraphernalia associated with neopaganism.[https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/17/world/americas/argentina-world-cup-witches.html]. There is also at least one organization active that insists Wicca is not a “secta” Spanish for cult since it is performed in solitary in its individual form.[https://www.wicca-argentina.com.ar/queeswicca.htm]

== Legal status ==
The Constitution states that the federal government sustains the Apostolic Roman Catholic religion,<ref>... sostiene el culto católico apostólico romano</ref> but guarantees freedom of religion.<ref name="constitution">(English translation) {{cite web |url=http://www.argentina.gov.ar/argentina/portal/documentos/constitucion_ingles.pdf |title=Constitution of the Argentine Nation|publisher=National Congress Translators |date=2003-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129222250/http://www.argentina.gov.ar/argentina/portal/documentos/constitucion_ingles.pdf |archive-date=2011-11-29 |url-status=dead |access-date=2014-07-14}} See Article I, Chapter I, sections 2 and 14. As of 2010 the state pays bishops salaries calculated as 80% of a judge's salary.</ref> In a 2023 study assessing nations' levels of religious regulation and persecution with scores ranging from 0-10 where 0 represented low levels of regulation or persecution, Argentina received a score of 1.5 on Government Regulation of Religion, 4.7 on Social Regulation of Religion and 8.1 on Government Favoritism of Religion.<ref>[https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=11c: Religious Freedom Profile at the Association of Religion Data Archives, Retrieved 2023-08-01]</ref>  In the same year, the country was scored 4 out of 4 for religious freedom by Freedom House, a US government funded think tank.<ref>[https://freedomhouse.org/country/argentina/freedom-world/2023 Freedom House website, Retrieved 2023-08-01]</ref>

The law that regulates the acknowledgement of religions by the state dates from 1978, and makes it prohibitively bureaucratic for minority cults to attain official recognition, since it was passed by the dictatorial government of the time basically to search those cults for politically subversive elements.<!--This para needs updating; the following may be outdated "The current government has expressed its intention to modify the law, which would allow, for example, for the quick recognition of the native Mbyá-[[Guarani people|Guaraní]] tribal religion.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}"-->

===State-Catholic church relations===
[[File:Cristina Fernández de Kirchner recibe al arzobispo Jorge Bergoglio 2007.jpg|200px|thumb|President [[Cristina Kirchner]] receives Archbishop [[Jorge Bergoglio]] (2007)]]
{{main|State-Church relations in Argentina}}
The Constitution requires the government to support [[Roman Catholic]]ism economically.<ref name="constitution"/> Despite this, the [[Argentine Supreme Court of Justice|Supreme Court]] ruled that the Roman Catholic Church was not granted the status of official religion by the constitution or any federal legislation.<ref name=CSJN>Villacampa, Ignacio c/ Almos de Villacampa, María Angélica (fallos 312:122)</ref>

The Constitution once stated that the [[president of Argentina|president]] must be a Roman Catholic. This requirement was removed from the text in the [[1994 reform of the Argentine Constitution|1994 constitutional reform]], since the president no longer designates Argentine bishops. The old 1853 text also included a goal "to keep a pacific relationship with the Indians and promote their conversion to Catholicism", which was deleted in the reform.

Each [[Roman Catholic Bishop|bishops]] receives a monthly salary from the state.<ref name="constitution"/> Older seminarians and retired priests receive state pensions, and parishes in convective or near the border are [[subsidy|subsidised]]. The state also subsidises [[catholic school]]s.

== Popular cults and other smaller religions in Argentina ==
[[File:Difunta Correa santuario.JPG|thumb|Sanctuary dedicated to the ''Difunta Correa'', located near [[Tacuarembó]] ([[Uruguay]]).]]

Besides mainstream religious practices, there are also a number of unconventional practices, usually part of local folklore. One of the most famous is the veneration of ''La [[Difunta Correa]]'' ("The Deceased Correa"). Many other beliefs in advocations of the Virgin, saints and other religious characters exist throughout the country, which are locally or regionally popular and church-endorsed.

Another popular cult is that of the [[Gauchito Gil]] ("the little [[gaucho]] Gil", Antonio Mamerto Gil Núñez), born in the province of [[Corrientes Province|Corrientes]] (allegedly in 1847). Gil was forced to enlist to fight in the civil war, but he deserted and became an outlaw ''à la'' [[Robin Hood]].

From [[Río Negro Province]], [[Ceferino Namuncurá]], son of the [[Mapuche]] ''[[cacique]]'' Manuel Namuncurá, is also a source of veneration all over [[Patagonia]]. He died of [[tuberculosis]] with only 18 years of age, while in Italy during his catholic education, and was later named [[venerable]] by the [[Vatican City|Vatican]].

There is also the popular cult of [[Miguel Ángel Gaitán]], from Villa Unión, in [[La Rioja Province, Argentina|La Rioja]], known as ''El Angelito Milagroso'' ("The Miraculous Little Angel"), an infant who died of meningitis just short of his first birthday, who people recur to for requests and miracles.

The [[Iglesia Maradoniana]] is sport themed self-subscribed [[Parody religion]] founded by three fans at Christmas party for creating a new religion based around their favorite football player [[Diego Maradona]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thebubble.com/church-of-maradona-worshipping-a-former-demi-god-with-unusual-athletic-abilities/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171111014831/http://www.thebubble.com/church-of-maradona-worshipping-a-former-demi-god-with-unusual-athletic-abilities/| archive-date = 2017-11-11| title = Church of Maradona: Worshipping a (Former) Demi-God With Unusual Athletic Abilities {{!}} The Bubble {{!}} Argentina News}}</ref> Since then it has gained between 120,000 and 200,000 followers since the 'religion' was founded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iglesiamaradoniana.com.ar/ |title=Iglesia Maradoniana - En honor a Maradona, el Pelusa. El hombre pegado a una pelota de cuero. El 10 |date=2016-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416054825/http://www.iglesiamaradoniana.com.ar/ |accessdate=2021-11-19|archive-date=16 April 2016 }}</ref>

==Affiliation estimates==
[[Evangelical church]]es have been gaining a foothold since the 1980s with approximately 9% of the total population,<ref name=creencias/> [[Pentecostal]] churches and traditional Protestant denominations are present in most communities.

In 2023, [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] claims 474,985 followers in Argentina (their seventh-largest congregation in the world).<ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Facts and Statistics: Argentina |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/argentina |website=Newsroom |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |accessdate=30 May 2023}}</ref>

According to a 2008 CONICET survey on creeds, about 76.5% of Argentines are [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], 11.3% religiously indifferent, 9% [[Protestant]] (with 7.9% in [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] denominations), 1.2% [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and 0.9% [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina|Mormons]].<ref name=creencias/>

A 2008 survey called America's Barometer by the [[Vanderbilt University]] reported for Argentina, Catholic 77.1%, No religion 15.9%, Protestant, Evangelical and other Christian 4.8% (with Pentecostal 3.3%), Other 2.1%.<ref>[http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights/I0829es.pdf Midiendo religión en encuestas de Latinoamrica, Vanderbi>lt University (PDF)]</ref>

A 2019 survey made online by the Universidad de San Andrés showed that 59% of Argentines identify themselves as Catholics, 8% as Protestant, 9% follow other religions, 15% consider themselves not religious, 1% identified themselves as either Jewish or Muslim and a further 7% refused to answer. The same survey revealed that 76% of Argentines believe in God (a decrease from 91% in 2008), 44% believe in heaven, 32% believe in hell, around 29% pray daily, only 13% attend religious services weekly and about 24% consider religion to be very important in their lives.<ref>[https://www.grupolaprovincia.com/argentina/encuesta-udesa-que-rol-juega-la-religion-en-la-vida-de-los-argentinos-278685 Encuesta Udesa: Que Rol Juega la Religión en la Vida de los Argentinos 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308175318/https://www.grupolaprovincia.com/argentina/encuesta-udesa-que-rol-juega-la-religion-en-la-vida-de-los-argentinos-278685 |date=8 March 2021 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:100%" |
Religion in Argentina (2019)<ref>[http://www.ceil-conicet.gov.ar/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ii25-2encuestacreencias.pdf Segunda Encuesta Nacional Sobre Creencias Y Actitudes Religiosas en Argentina (2019).]</ref>
! Affiliation
! colspan="2" |% of Population
|-
| [[Christian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|79.6||2||background:darkblue}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" | [[Roman Catholic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|62.9||2||background:Violet}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" | [[Protestant]]
|align=right| {{bartable|13.0||2||background:Purple}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" |[[Evangelical]]
|align=right| {{bartable|2.3||2||background:mediumblue}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" | [[Jehovah's Witness]] and [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina|Mormon]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1.4||2||background:lightblue}}
|-
| No religion
|align=right| {{bartable|18.9||2||background:Grey}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" |[[Irreligion]]
|align=right| {{bartable|9.7||2||background:lightgreen}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" | [[Atheist]]
|align=right| {{bartable|6.0||2||background:Red}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; text-indent:15px;" | [[Agnostic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3.2||2||background:Orange}}
|-
| Other religions
|align=right| {{bartable|1.2||2||background:darkgreen}}
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Religion|Argentina}}
* [[Roman Catholicism in Argentina]]
* [[Islam in Argentina]]
* [[Judaism in Argentina]]
* [[Buddhism in Argentina]]
* [[Hinduism in Argentina]]
* [[Freedom of religion in Argentina]]
* [[Religion in the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation|last=Held|first=Heinz Joachim|contribution=Argentina|year=1999|title=Encyclopedia of Christianity|editor-last=Fahlbusch|editor-first=Erwin|volume=1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch0001unse_t6f2/page/118 118–121]|place=Grand Rapids|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans|isbn=978-0802824134|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch0001unse_t6f2/page/118}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050426000732/http://www.egobierno.gov.ar/municipios/ver.asp?MID=5&tipo=nota&id=326 The Argentine Constitution] {{in lang|es}}
* [http://www.raoulwallenberg.net/?en/interfaith/reports/1754.htm U.S. Department of State - 2004 Annual Report for International Religious Freedom: Argentina]
* [http://www.religiousfreedom.com/wrpt/Latam/argentina.htm Religious Freedom World Report - Argentina]
* Marita Carballo. ''Valores culturales al cambio del milenio'' ({{ISBN|950-794-064-2}}). [http://www.lanacion.com.ar/702434 Cited] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513094639/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/702434 |date=13 May 2011 }} in [[La Nación]], 2005-05-08.
* [http://www.aciprensa.com/notic2000/enero/notic842.htm ACI Digital], January 2000 (In Spanish)

{{Argentina topics}}
{{South America topic|Religion in}}

[[Category:Religion in Argentina| ]]