Voodoo is playing a central role in helping Haitians cope with their unthinkable tragedy. Outside of Haitian culture, few know what Voodoo is. Elizabeth McAlister, a Voodoo expert at Wesleyan University, says at its core, the philosophy is really pretty simple.
“Voodoo in a nutshell is about the idea that everything material has a spiritual dimension that is more real” than physical reality, she says. “So everything living ”” but even rocks and the Earth ”” is considered to have spirit and have a spiritual nature.”
McAlister says there is no unified Voodoo religion. There’s no “Voodoo Pope” or central authority, no Voodoo scripture or even a core doctrine.
Sadly, voodoo has contributed greatly to the present state of Haitians. It was used to great effect by some of the most evil men in its history – Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier – and exploited by nearly everyone who has contributed to the rape of that tragic country.
#1 – too true. It’s part of the problem, not the solution.
But, but … doesn’t the PB teach that all roads lead to the divine?
Sooo, I’m supposed to send my money to support this? I’m sorry for their suffering and all that, but I don’t think I should take my limited resources and support more voodoo in Haiti.
Just a musing – I find the claim that Haiti is suffering due to divine displeasure monstrous whether articulated by Christians or Voodoo priests.
I was struck by the close proximity of these two fragments:
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There’s no “Voodoo Pope” or central authority
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and
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Max Beauvoir, the supreme servitor of Voodoo, or the highest priest, in Haiti …
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So no Pope, but they do have a high priest.