Ethnic Religions; Development, Training, Truth & Understanding...
Since early 1900, past and present members of our spiritual family have studied, lived and worked in the arts and ways of the Afro-Caribbean 'Old Time Religions'. By learning how African religion migrated to the new world, blended with native Caribbean culture and how these combined spiritual practitioners entwined their' beliefs with Christianity.
I believe that early missionarians were well rused by the slaves they had meant to convert to Christianity. Allowing for the establishment of these Afro-Caribbean religions. A new culturally mixed spiritual blend of Christianity with African and Caribbean influence. A development that became well established and has actually expanded throughout the Americas'. Do you have a feeling or idea on their process? Perhaps you can share it with us, on our Blog page. There you can open a dialogue on issues surrounding the history of Ethnic Spiritualism in the Americas'.
Some call these 'Old time Religions 'Occult'. Some use the more appropriate term 'Ethnic Spiritualism'. Still others, use the word 'Voodoo' as the all encompassing definition to describe Ethnic Spiritualism. This is typical of non-believers or confused individuals, ignorant to the ways of these complex multi-cultural practices. When the term 'Voodoo' is used to describe these religions, what is left for a lay person to think? Especially when also exposed to false facts via Cinema, TV fiction, or a novelist's
focus on contrived episodes with obvious evil content, in order to promote a screenplay or book!
These self proclaimed informend people are merely embelishing their convoluted fictional satire to suite their own contrived fantacies!
To compile all of these varied multi-cultural ethnic spititual religions' into a single category called "voodoo" is absolutely absurd! Many religions have been slandered or described in negative light by people full of this same ignorance of forethought throughout history. "Voodoo" is a spiritual religious practice. There is no denying that it exists and that it has followers, just as other faiths or religions have their' own followers. We know that there are a multitude of Christian faiths. As well, there are many Afro-Caribbean faiths. Some of which are Yaruba, Aruba, Orisha, Ifa, Santeria/Lukumi and Palo. Let us not forget the many faiths' and beliefs practiced by Amarica's native Indians! These are not Voodoos'!
Faiths that are mis-understood or denied, should not be singled out as the genetic same as another!
Calling or grouping all ethnic religions as voodoo's, is comparable to calling Jews Muslems and Catholics as Vodoos' too! Here, I must apologize for injecting a line of nonsensical humor into this very important dialogue. I simply could not control my need to single out these voodoo-bundlers as the joke that they are!
These Afro-Carribean faiths are recognized as "ethnic religions". They stand each alone, in their self proclaimed governance and practices! One should not be identified as, or instead of the other! Let us not deny that those who live without religion will generally find fault with all religions. They also have the right to practice their beliefs. Please consider my words as they are intended. A statement of difference between faiths. How individuals view their own beliefs or those of others. No matter how jokingly subtle these views or beliefs may be... The issues involved remain very real!
We at J&R believe that all persons of faith should be free to practice their beliefs without shame, indifference or intollerance. No disrespect or slander is intended or implied to any individual's faith, religion or lack there of. We all share the unalienable right to believe in and practice any religion we choose to, or not...
Blessings to All,
Jayar.
I believe that early missionarians were well rused by the slaves they had meant to convert to Christianity. Allowing for the establishment of these Afro-Caribbean religions. A new culturally mixed spiritual blend of Christianity with African and Caribbean influence. A development that became well established and has actually expanded throughout the Americas'. Do you have a feeling or idea on their process? Perhaps you can share it with us, on our Blog page. There you can open a dialogue on issues surrounding the history of Ethnic Spiritualism in the Americas'.
Some call these 'Old time Religions 'Occult'. Some use the more appropriate term 'Ethnic Spiritualism'. Still others, use the word 'Voodoo' as the all encompassing definition to describe Ethnic Spiritualism. This is typical of non-believers or confused individuals, ignorant to the ways of these complex multi-cultural practices. When the term 'Voodoo' is used to describe these religions, what is left for a lay person to think? Especially when also exposed to false facts via Cinema, TV fiction, or a novelist's
focus on contrived episodes with obvious evil content, in order to promote a screenplay or book!
These self proclaimed informend people are merely embelishing their convoluted fictional satire to suite their own contrived fantacies!
To compile all of these varied multi-cultural ethnic spititual religions' into a single category called "voodoo" is absolutely absurd! Many religions have been slandered or described in negative light by people full of this same ignorance of forethought throughout history. "Voodoo" is a spiritual religious practice. There is no denying that it exists and that it has followers, just as other faiths or religions have their' own followers. We know that there are a multitude of Christian faiths. As well, there are many Afro-Caribbean faiths. Some of which are Yaruba, Aruba, Orisha, Ifa, Santeria/Lukumi and Palo. Let us not forget the many faiths' and beliefs practiced by Amarica's native Indians! These are not Voodoos'!
Faiths that are mis-understood or denied, should not be singled out as the genetic same as another!
Calling or grouping all ethnic religions as voodoo's, is comparable to calling Jews Muslems and Catholics as Vodoos' too! Here, I must apologize for injecting a line of nonsensical humor into this very important dialogue. I simply could not control my need to single out these voodoo-bundlers as the joke that they are!
These Afro-Carribean faiths are recognized as "ethnic religions". They stand each alone, in their self proclaimed governance and practices! One should not be identified as, or instead of the other! Let us not deny that those who live without religion will generally find fault with all religions. They also have the right to practice their beliefs. Please consider my words as they are intended. A statement of difference between faiths. How individuals view their own beliefs or those of others. No matter how jokingly subtle these views or beliefs may be... The issues involved remain very real!
We at J&R believe that all persons of faith should be free to practice their beliefs without shame, indifference or intollerance. No disrespect or slander is intended or implied to any individual's faith, religion or lack there of. We all share the unalienable right to believe in and practice any religion we choose to, or not...
Blessings to All,
Jayar.