Fifty-some years ago I took a Comparative Religion class in college; Vodun (Voodoo) was not one of those studied. It’s interesting to know that today, of the 60 million followers of this religion, many of them find it compatible with Christianity. My guide said that it was not uncommon for locals of Benin and Togo and perhaps Cuba, Brazil and Haiti to practice both!

There are many deities that serve particular functions and while as a Catholic I knew that Saints were not gods but they too “helped” out. Like St. Anthony and St. Christopher. The first helped us find things and the latter was supposedly keeping us safe while in a car or travelling. This religion also has a primary God that is immensely powerful. And these other gods are used as a liason for the Vodun followers.

Putting a hex on someone is not all that different from the concept of heaven and hell. The whole idea is that goodness can get rid of the evil. As a Catholic I know I felt threatened by eternal damnation a few times.

Many rituals are performed by the Vodun priests and I’m guessing that those not familiar with some of the Western religions would find more than a few similarities just as elaborate. While dance and animal sacrifices are less common we too revere many souls that have passed. Followers of voodoo believe the dead are thought to walk among the living during the dance of hooded Egunguns.

Sticking pins in a doll meant to personify someone was not mentioned on my tour. Hollywood has painted a dark side of Voodoo that is not accurate. It is called hoodoo! One big difference to me in particular is their veneration of snakes. They are important religious symbols and therefore respected. There is a temple of pythons in Ouidah where they slither around in abundance. They are not fed but are let out once a week or so to find their meal. Needless to say I did not go there. I was taught that a horrible snake in the Garden of Eden messed up big time!

Above all, Voodoo is a religion practiced by millions of people around the world.