Christians See Official [Haitian] Recognition of Voodoo as Ominous

christianitytoday.com ^ | October 2003 | CT staff

[Polycarp]

Christians See Official Recognition of Voodoo as Ominous

They fear Aristide plans to renew 200-year national "pact with the devil."

Christianity Today, October 2003

By Compass Direct and CT staff

In late April, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former Catholic priest, declared voodoo an officially recognized religion. It's a move that some Christians in the chronically poor nation of 7.5 million people say is an ominous sign.

"The government said they are going to turn the country entirely to voodoo. The Christians say we are going to turn the country totally to the Lord Jesus Christ," said Jean Berthony Paul, founder of Mission Evangelique du Nord D'Haiti.

The decision means, among other things, that voodoo marriage ceremonies will have equal legal standing. Voodoo venerates a mixture of African gods and Catholic saints and practices spiritism. Haiti ended its recognition of Roman Catholicism as the state church in 1987.

Pastors and missionaries in St. Marc organized a rally on August 14, a key voodoo holiday, to counter the witchcraft they say voodoo involves. Missionaries have also circulated unconfirmed reports that a child was abducted from the town hospital to be made a voodoo sacrifice.

They fear Aristide is planning to renew a 200-year-old national "pact with the devil" on January 1, 2004. Many Haitians credit the country's independence to voodoo.

Evangelicals have been growing by 3 percent a year, nearly double the population growth rate. Officially, 80 percent of the population is Catholic and 16 percent is Protestant. But many practice voodoo along with their Christian observance.

"There have been some difficulties, some confrontations that could, perhaps, affect the church from this point on," said a pastor from the Dominican Republic who makes frequent visits to Haiti. "But the servants of God have not been hindered."

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information. October 2003, Vol. 47, No. 10, Page 28

[Polycarp]

They fear Aristide is planning to renew a 200-year-old national "pact with the devil" on January 1, 2004. Many Haitians credit the country's independence to voodoo.

I've been to Haiti on 3 medical missionary trips. This is no idle fear.

[martin_fierro]

That sure is one kooky little island.

[jjm2111]

Really?

[Desdemona]

Officially, 80 percent of the population is Catholic and 16 percent is Protestant. But many practice voodoo along with their Christian observance.

A friend of one of my brothers once said that Haiti was 96%Catholic and 100% Voodoo. He was Puerto Rican and avoided the place.

Heaven help them. I'm afraid no one else can.

[MineralMan]

"The decision means, among other things, that voodoo marriage ceremonies will have equal legal standing. "

Well, they finally caught up with the USA, then. Voodoo weddings are perfectly legal here. Lots of folks doing them in New Orleans and in other cities.

They're just as valid as a marriage performed by any minister.

[dinasour]

Well, I'll be there over Christmas. I'll let you know what happpens.

Hope they don't turn me in to a zombie or something.

If I start posting at DU, you'll know what happened.

[sticker]

Aristide is the fruitcake that clinton invaded Haiti to install as president. I guess we now know why, is wasn't that just because Aristide is a Marxist but he goes to the same church as bill & hil

[Grut]

This is kind of like the osteopaths getting all upset when the state recognizes chiropractors as medical practitioners, isn't it?

[BSunday]

Christians See Official Recognition of Voodoo as Ominous

I don't see why. Any casual reader of the Bible will see who wins in the end.

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful Rev 17:14

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Rev 12:11

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[sheik yerbouty]

Aristede is one little nutball.

[Russell Scott]

Now you know the secret to Hati's misery.

[Salman]

Interesting. I didn't know Jean-Bertrand Aristide was a former Catholic priest. The voodoo business is not surprising, though. Didn't "Papa Doc" do something similar?

[Polycarp]

No.

[Polycarp]

Must be that "new math."

[Clemenza]

A friend of one of my brothers once said that Haiti was 96%Catholic and 100% Voodoo. He was Puerto Rican and avoided the place.

Yeah, and "Puerco" Rico is 70% Catholic, 30% Protestant and 100% Santero. You see just as many Brujas in our little colony as you do in Haiti.

What is called "Voodoo" in Haiti and Lousiana is called "Santeria" in Puerto Rico, Cuba and DR. It is referred to as "Candombe" in Brazil. It is essentially a fusion between West African traditions and Christianity. In the Puerto Rican and Dominican neighborhoods here in NYC, we have "botanicas" which are stores that sell Idols, herbal cures, books to ward off curses, etc., associated with these traditions.

[Clemenza]

Papa Doc claimed to be the equivalent of a High Warlock within voodoo and used his "powers" to intimidate his enemies.