Editing Central Java (section)

===Religion===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Religions !! Total 
|-
| [[Islam]] || 37,273,804
|-
| [[Protestant]] || 593,139
|-
| [[Roman Catholic]] || 342,347
|-
| [[Buddhism]] || 49,987
|-
| [[Hinduism]] || 14,045
|-
| [[Kejawen]] || 6,262
|-
| [[Confucianism]] || 1,303
|-
| '''Overall''' || '''38,280,887''' 
|}<ref name="ArcGIS Web Application">{{cite web | url=https://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | title=ArcGIS Web Application }}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Central Java (June 2024)<ref name="ArcGIS Web Application">{{cite web | url=https://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | title=ArcGIS Web Application }}</ref>
|label1 = [[Islam]]
|value1 = 97.37
|color1 = DarkGreen
|label2 = [[Protestantism]]
|value2 = 1.55
|color2 = DarkBlue
|label3 = [[Roman Catholic]]
|value3 = 0.89
|color3 = Purple 
|label4 = [[Buddhism]]
|value4 = 0.13
|color4 = Gold
|label5 = [[Hinduism]]
|value5 = 0.036
|color5 = DarkOrange
|label6 = [[Kejawen]]
|value6 = 0.016
|color6 = Black
|label7 = [[Confucianism]]
|value7 = 0.003
|color7 = Red

}}

{{See also|Religion in Indonesia|Hinduism in Java}}
Although the overwhelming majority of Javanese are Muslims, many also profess [[Javanese beliefs|indigenous Javanese beliefs]]. [[Clifford Geertz]], in his book about the religion of Java, made a distinction between the so-called ''[[santri]]'' Javanese and ''[[abangan]]'' Javanese.<ref>Clifford Geertz, ''The Religion of Java'' (1976:121–131), paperback edition</ref> He considered the former as orthodox Muslims and the latter as nominal Muslims that devote more energy to indigenous traditions.

Dutch Protestants were active in missionary activities and were rather successful. The Dutch Catholic [[Jesuit]] missionary, [[Franciscus Georgius Josephus van Lith|F.G.C. van Lith]] also achieved some success, especially in areas around the central-southern parts of Central Java and Yogyakarta at the beginning of the 20th century,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0312/27/natal/768772.htm|title =  Van Lith dan Muntilan "Bethlehem van Java" |work = Kompas |language = id |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619142551/http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0312/27/natal/768772.htm |archive-date=19 June 2006 }}</ref> and is buried at the Jesuit necropolis at [[Muntilan]].

Following the [[Transition to the New Order|upheavals]] in 1965–66, religious identification of citizens became compulsory, and there has been a renaissance of Buddhism and Hinduism since then. As one has to choose a religion out of the five official religions in Indonesia; i.e. Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, the latter two became alternatives for people who did not want to be Muslims or Christians. [[Confucianism]] is also common among Chinese Indonesians. In the [[post-Suharto era]], it is recognised as an official religion along with the aforementioned five.
<br />
<gallery>
File:Masjid Agung Demak.jpg|The [[Demak Great Mosque]], built in the 15th century.
File:Masjid Menara Kudus.jpg|[[Menara Kudus Mosque]], one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia.
File:Exterior of Blenduk Church, Semarang, 2014-06-18.jpg|[[Blenduk Church]], [[Semarang]]. Built in 1753, it is the oldest church in the province.
File:Sam Poo Kong Temple 2011 (2).jpg|[[Sam Poo Kong]] [[Chinese temple architecture|Chinese Temple]], in [[Semarang]]
File:Patung Buddha di Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong, Semarang.jpg|Statue of Buddha Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong, Semarang
</gallery>