Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of religious freedom, a right
enshrined and protected through its constitutional document, the
Basic Law. The majority of Hong Kong's population, as in Mainland
China, practice a folk version of Buddhism. This majority includes
approximately six million people, from a total population of less
than seven million, or close to 90% (See Buddhism by country). A
sizable Christian community of around 500,000 exists, forming about
7% of the total population; it is roughly equally divided between
Catholics and Protestants. There are also around 200,000 followers
each of authentic Buddhism and Taoism. Apart from the major
religions, there are also a significant number of followers of
other religions, including an estimated 23,000 Mormons, 3,000 Jews
and a number of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Bahá'ís. Apart from
offering religious instructions, many major religious bodies have
established schools and provided social welfare facilities.
Hong Kong's religious beliefs are tied to the region's early
role as a fishing community. Tin Hau, the protector of seafarers,
has been honoured with several temples throughout Hong Kong for at
least 300 years. Hung Shing, another protector of seafarers, has
also been honoured for centuries. Hong Kong residents, especially
elder generations, visit Taoist or Buddhist temples to appease the
deities and, usually, to request compassion, good health or good
fortune. Gifts of food, and in particular fruit, are presented, and
incense and paper offerings are burnt in respect.
With the transfer of Hong Kong to the PRC, there were
significant concerns over religious freedom in Hong Kong. So far,
this has proved mostly unfounded. Despite the banning of the Falun
Gong movement by Beijing in 1999, adherents are still free to
practice in Hong Kong. Similarly, the Catholic Church freely
appoints its own bishops in Hong Kong, unlike on mainland China
where the only approved 'Catholic' institution is the Chinese
Patriotic Catholic Association where bishops and priests are
appointed by Beijing (though there is also an unofficial and
illegal part of the Catholic church that maintains contact with the
Vatican). A significant issue in the normalisation of ties between
the PRC and the Vatican is Beijing's insistence that the Vatican
drops its diplomatic ties with the ROC.
Hong Kong is the only place in China where missionaries from The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormon Church) can
serve. The Church has a temple in Hong Kong which was dedicated by
Gordon B. Hinckley on May 26–27, 1996. Church members consider
Hinkley, who is also President of the church, to be a prophet of
God.
(wikipedia.org)