Tamil (Hindu traditions) in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The homeland of the Tamil people is southeast India. Tamil is one of the major languages of India and the 17th most spoken language in the world. Tamils are proud of their cultural and literary heritage that dates back over 2000 years. Many thousands of Tamils left India and live in dozens of countries throughout the world including the USA. Many migrated to the USA as professionals during the last half of the 20th century. These include physicians, scientists, university professors, software engineers, and financiers. The mother of Vice President Kamala Harris is of Tamil origin. The three largest populations of Tamils living in the USA are New York City, New Jersey and Los Angeles. A small fraction of the Tamils in the USA has become followers of Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tamils who have come to the USA are a diverse group. The highly educated ones such as physicians and computer experts work the same jobs they did in India or Sri Lanka. They were upper class people in their country of origin and they fit into the high income bracket in the USA. Middle class Tamils come to the USA looking for better lives for their children. They often work in restaurants, retail, information technology, finance and trade. Their children attend American public schools. Their children also attend Tamil-Hindu schools on Saturday to practice their family language and learn parents' faith. The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Tamils in USA try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time become model American citizens. In traditional Tamil culture, the parents chose the spouse of their children. This practice has changed in modern society where children frequently choose their partner with their parents' guidance. Parents strongly encourage their children to marry within their religion and people group. Many Tamil young people in the USA marry outside their people and religion.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Tamils in USA practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. The patron god of the Tamils is Murugan, the Hindu god of war. Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Tamils visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The Hindu faith of many American Tamils is more cultural than theological. The main yearly holidays of the Hindu Tamil people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The Tamils in the USA also frequently celebrate Christian holidays. The Tamil New is celebrated on April 14.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tamils in the USA need to understand that material success will not bring them the happiness they are seeking. Jesus Christ is much more than a Hindu god or guru. Only through Christ can a Tamil receive the forgiveness of his or her sins and the gift of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Tamils in the USA in this decade. Pray the Lord moves American believers and churches to reach out and share the good news with the Tamils. Pray that more Christian literature, internet material and videos are read and heeded by Tamil speakers. Ask God to bring American Tamil leaders and heads of families into His kingdom.


Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in United States.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_Americans


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tamil (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tamil (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAH-mill
Alternate Names तमिल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 93,000
Population all Countries 2,857,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18211
ROP3 Code 113732
ROP25 Code 307913
ROP25 Name Tamil
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
20.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
6.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
74.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamil (93,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (93,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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