The U.S. Department of State gives Hungary high marks in its International Religious Freedom report, saying that Hungary’s government policy “contributes to the generally free practice of religion,” a late 2002 report states. About two-thirds of Hungary’s population is Roman Catholic, with 21 percent members of the Reformed Church, 4 percent Lutheran and less than 1 percent Jewish. The remaining people, about 7 percent, are divided among several other groups, including a broad range of Christian groups, Buddhists, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Krishna.
Catholicism, still the majority religion today, was first introduced in Hungary over a millennium ago. Stephen was elected prince of Hungary in 997 A.D. when his father died. The new prince, who shared his mother’s devout Catholicism, soon asked the pope to declare him king.
Later declared a saint by the Catholic Church, Stephen’s legacy influences Hungary today. As king, he brought in European arts and culture and made Catholicism the official religion of the country. The church survived the ravages of communism, remaining strong.
Post-communist Hungary has constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, and according to the U.S. State Department, the government generally respects this right.
Today’s Hungary has no state religion, and any church is free to exist, but the government offers protection and special privileges to registered churches. The government extends official recognition when a group certifies that it has at least 100 members and submits a statement of beliefs. A law passed in 1996 allows Hungarians to designate 1 percent of their income tax to the church of their choosing, provided the church meets strict guidelines. The top three churches selected by the citizens in the last year reported were Catholics, Calvinists and Lutherans. Baptists ranked eighth, falling between Krishna Consciousness, seventh and the Tibetan Buddhist Community, ninth.
Only 14 of the 136 registered churches have been able to meet the stringent criteria for funding. The State Department reports that churches work well together with little friction among the different religions and denominations.
The newfound religious freedom has been accepted well by the populace.
The report pointed out, “Overall society welcomed the increasing religious activity that followed the transition from communism.”
According to Mark Aderholt, IMB missionary to Hungary, Baptists in the country number almost 12,000 out of a population of more than 10 million. He agrees with the State Department’s assessment of Hungary’s official position on minority religions, but points out that most Hungarian citizens are unfamiliar with Baptists. “In the minds of most Hungarians, the word Baptist sounds strange and is often seen as cultic,” Aderholt said. “I don’t believe there is necessarily a negative predisposition toward Baptists in the minds of most Hungarians; there is simply no predisposition at all.” This makes the task of Baptist missionaries and locals difficult, in spite of the governmental neutrality, he noted. “Many folks I meet on the street tend to associate Baptists in the same category as Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons.”
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