# What are the religious beliefs of the Roma? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 13, 2002, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612 "2002-12-13T21:27:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/1 "2002-12-13T21:27:19Z")
I assume that conversion to Christianity would be a sign of assimilation, which the Roma have always resisted. So, what religious beliefs do the Roma hold exactly? Do they retain the local religion (Hinduism?) of where they enmigrated from in India, did they pick up something along the way, or have they formed their own religion? UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/2 "2002-12-13T21:41:14Z")
When I googled I found a good site, in Swedish, which claims they normally adapt the majority religion in the country where they live. It says that there are catholics, protestans, greek-orthodox ASF. At the biggest cemetary (Lutheran) in my home town, there is an area where they bury their kin. I doubt the local church authorites would agrre to that, where they not Lutheran. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/3 "2002-12-13T22:49:18Z")
All the Romas I ever heard about were christians… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/4 "2002-12-14T01:45:26Z")
[Romani Customs and Traditions: Roma Beliefs](http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5121/beliefs.htm#Religion) > [@](#): > > Religion and Superstitions > > The Roma cannot be said to have a “religion” of their own. They have usually adopted the faiths of the countries in which they live. Among the Roma can be found Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants, and Muslims. Many prefer to carry out religious rituals in their own homes or in the context of folk observances. > > … > > Though they have, for practical purposes, adopted the religions of those with whom they have come into contact, formal religion is often supplemented by faith in the supernatural, in omens and curses. This body of superstitions varies among different Roma groups, but it is to some extent a factor in the lives of all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Pythagras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/45deac/32.png) [@Pythagras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagras)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/5 "2002-12-14T02:49:20Z")
Who are the Roma? Romanians? ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/6 "2002-12-14T04:36:56Z")
the Gypsies ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/7 "2002-12-14T04:40:56Z")
**astro** , I have edited your post for copyright reasons. Generally, more than a paragraph or two is too much. The rest can be read at the link provided. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/8 "2002-12-14T14:26:44Z")
Rome initially adopted Greek Mythology to be their religion. Most of things stay the same except for the names. For example, Zeus became Jupiter, Posidon became Neptune, Ares became Mars, etc. Some dieties retained the same names, I think Athena is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/9 "2002-12-14T16:04:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ataraxy22 \* > \*\*the Gypsies \*\* That word, along with its equivalents in other European languages, is nowadays considered a racial slur by the Roma and IGOs like the Council of Europe. Just like using the n-word would not be acceptable in a discussion of the culture of groups of African descent here on the SDMB, we shouldn’t be using that name for the Roma. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/10 "2002-12-14T16:12:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Urban Ranger \* > \*\*Rome initially adopted Greek Mythology to be their religion. Most of things stay the same except for the names. For example, Zeus became Jupiter, Posidon became Neptune, Ares became Mars, etc. Some dieties retained the same names, I think Athena is one of them. \*\* Umm, **Urban Ranger** , you’re a little off. We’re talking about the ethnicity the Roma, not the city of Rome. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/11 "2002-12-14T16:15:30Z")
Not familar with the notion of Roma (Roma is the Italian name of Rome). ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/12 "2002-12-14T16:16:52Z")
Ugh. What I meant is I am not familar with your usage of the word Roma - I only know it as the Italian name for Rome. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/13 "2002-12-14T16:23:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Urban Ranger \* > \*\*Ugh. What I meant is I am not familar with your usage of the word Roma - I only know it as the Italian name for Rome. \*\* As already mentioned, Roma is the preferred term for the group that is often known by a word that starts with a “G” and rhymes with “tipsy.” ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/14 "2002-12-14T17:21:54Z")
I think the word actually is **Romani** , not Roma. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/15 "2002-12-14T17:27:38Z")
Both are correct **Gaspode**. I don’t know which one the Roma(ni) prefer themselves–perhaps it varies from one group to another. ---
**Author:** ![Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@Dreaming\_of\_Maria\_Callas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dreaming_of_Maria_Callas)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/16 "2002-12-14T17:38:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Gaspode \* > \*\*I think the word actually is **Romani** , not Roma. \*\* The Romani is the name only of the group of Roma found in Western Europe. Those of the Middle East is known as “Domari” and that of Central and Eastern Europe is “Lomarvren.” “Roma” or “Rroma” is a term used to describe the entire people. I found [this page](http://www.religioustolerance.org/roma.htm) at [religioustolerance.org](http://religioustolerance.org) that explains some of the beliefs of the Roma (should have Googled before starting the thread, sorry). However, [religioustolerance.org](http://religioustolerance.org) often has erroneous information or lacks certain details, so if anyone has any insights, I hope they’ll post them here. UnuMondo ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/17 "2002-12-14T17:52:16Z")
Roma is the noun, Romani is the adjective. It should be noted that although all Roma are ‘Gypsies’, not all ‘Gypsies’ are Roma. You have Kalo, Lom, Domari and Sinti - and others - that are also ‘Gypsy’. Regarding the use of the word ‘Gypsy’. Yes, it is considered by some as offensive, even more so if it is not capitalized. I tend to name the particular group, then put ‘Gypsy’ in parenthesis: Roma (Gypsy), Sinti (Gypsy), etc. As others have mentioned, we tend to take on the dominant religion of the region. There are Christian Rom, Islamic Rom (Roma from the Balkan region mainly, but also the Domari, who live in the Middle East) and I’ve heard mention of Jewish Roms. That said, we also have a tradition of shamanism which until recent times has managed to co-exist with the mainstream faiths. Amongst Romanichals in the UK and USA, Christian Evangelism is becoming very popular. A few Rom activists are quite concerned by its growth, as more traditional beliefs and customs are lost by its converts. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/18 "2002-12-14T19:36:17Z")
Just remembered this. If you want to find out about the shamanic tradition (specifically that of the Romanichal - British Rom), you could do a lot worse than tracking down a copy of _We Borrow The Earth_ written by Patrick Jasper Lee - ISBN:0-7225-3994-0. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/19 "2002-12-14T22:32:54Z")
I remember reading in _Bury Me Standing_ by Isabel Fonseca that the Roma didn’t take organized religion seriously, and one tradition was that when God was handing out sacred texts, instead of using something permanent like stone, the Roma’s religion instruction was written on cabbage leaves, and a goat ate it. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612/20 "2002-12-14T22:54:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kal \* > \*\* > > Amongst Romanichals in the UK and USA, \*\* Interestingly, the word “romanichel” is probably considered as being the most derogatory if France, when refering to the Romas. And Gitans (whoch would be tre translation of “Gypsies”) much less so… “Romanichels” was the word used by, say, people in the countryside who disliked and distrusted them, and considered them as essentially potential thieves. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-religious-beliefs-of-the-roma/142612.md?page=2)