Is Voodoo a religion?

Feb 10, 2000
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Vodoun:

"Voodoo" as we know it today originated with African slaves in Haiti; traditional Dahomey regional practices were blended with other African traditions, with elements of Masonry, ritual magick, and Catholicism, creating a unique faith that has survived some of the worst persecutions. The word 'voodoo' is a corruption of the word 'vodun,' a word that means 'god' or 'spirit' in the West African Fon language.

Vodoun traditionally embodies two traditions- obeah, or folk magic, also known colloquially as 'hoodoo,' and the ancient African worship of the Loa, an initiatory system. The primary worship practice in Vodoun is through possession, whereby the Loas or ancestors are enticed to inhabit the bodies of worshippers. This practice is the true Vodoun, the traditional ancestral root of the religion.

 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: DonVito
Vodoun:

"Voodoo" as we know it today originated with African slaves in Haiti; traditional Dahomey regional practices were blended with other African traditions, with elements of Masonry, ritual magick, and Catholicism, creating a unique faith that has survived some of the worst persecutions. The word 'voodoo' is a corruption of the word 'vodun,' a word that means 'god' or 'spirit' in the West African Fon language.

Vodoun traditionally embodies two traditions- obeah, or folk magic, also known colloquially as 'hoodoo,' and the ancient African worship of the Loa, an initiatory system. The primary worship practice in Vodoun is through possession, whereby the Loas or ancestors are enticed to inhabit the bodies of worshippers. This practice is the true Vodoun, the traditional ancestral root of the religion.

That, to me, qualifies it as one.

Note: The ONLY difference between a religion and a cult is the number of followers.
 

JasonSix78

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2005
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I believe there is a special on VooDoo coming on the History Channel tonight at 9 EST.

-Jason
 

slpaulson

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2000
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I think a tour guide in New Orleans said that freed slaves did that stuff to scare other people away from them. At least it was something along those lines.