Detailed information about religious beliefs in the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands are an archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean. The majority of the people of these islands believe in Christianity. There are different Christian denominations on the islands, such as Anglican, Catholic, Protestant and Mormon. Maori, the indigenous people of the Cook Islands, have adopted Christianity despite their traditional religious beliefs. Maori believe in supernatural beings, worship them and perform rituals. However, these beliefs were combined with Christianity and the religious understanding of the local people was shaped. Christianity began to spread on the islands when missionaries came to the region in the 19th century. Especially Anglican and Catholic missionaries were effective in spreading Christianity in the Cook Islands. Missionaries taught the Bible to the native people and built churches. Today, in the Cook Islands, Christianity has become a part of the daily life of the local people. Going to churches, praying and attending religious ceremonies on Sundays are important religious practices. Additionally, Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter are also celebrated on the islands. There are also some religious beliefs other than Christianity in the Cook Islands. There are some, especially among indigenous people, who still adhere to traditional Maori religious beliefs. They perform rituals, especially by worshiping nature and supernatural beings. However, these beliefs are combined with Christianity and practiced by many people. Religious beliefs in the Cook Islands have often formed a synthesis between the cultural heritage of the indigenous people and Christianity. For this reason, both Christianity and traditional beliefs coexist on the islands.