Haiti

Read an article in the Telegraph regarding the situation in Haiti. It read, “Max Beauvoir, Haiti's "supreme master" of voodoo, alleged his faith's opponents had deliberately prevented much-needed help from reaching followers of the religion, which blends the traditional beliefs of West African slaves with Roman Catholicism.” It goes on to say that the Christians were getting the bulk of the aid coming to Haiti because they were controlling the airport. He then commented on Pat Robertson’s suggestion that ‘Haiti had made a pact with the devil 200 years ago’ saying “I don't know much about him (Pat) and I don't think I'm losing much, Voodoo has been discriminated against for 200 years…It was developed by our ancestors, it is a way of life. To ask us to stop would be like asking an American to stop eating hamburgers." Mr. Beauvoir is a Sorbonne-educated biochemist. (University of Paris founded in 1253) 


Later in the same article it goes on to say that ceremonies were halted in Mr. Beauvoir’s grand house, which seconds as  a voodoo temple, but they were still going on in the countryside. They reported that the temples are “where followers dance around a totem pole in the grounds to the sound of drums. Bonfires are lighted to attract spirits and the blood of animals, including goats and chickens, is drained and used to heal the sick” and the “elaborate ceremonies include secret languages, people dancing after being possessed by spirits and talismans including dried animal heads.” Apparently in rural areas “people practice the ‘darker’ side of voodoo, summoning evil spirits." 


While many in Hollywood are livid over Mr. Robertson’s comments (esp. Whoopi Goldberg) according to Kompe Filo a believer and Haitian TV/Radio personality “voodoo predicted the earthquake six months ago.” Since that’s the case I would assume preparations were made to deal with the disaster and minimize it’s impact? Another voodoo believer, Monique Henri, wore a cross around her neck while waiting for food to arrive. She said, “The earthquake happened because people were sinners so God was angry, because people did wrong.” I guess Pat is not alone.