Vodun Religion

In the Vodun religion, there are many rituals that take place during their ceremonies. These rituals may seem strange to people in the American culture. I believe that every culture or religious group's rituals and beliefs are equal. I witnessed several beliefs and rituals practiced by the believers of Vodun religion. For example, I learned about their meaning of the cross and crossroads. There are funerals where sacrifices were made to a god. These rituals are a part of their lives just like American rituals are a part of my life.

To the believers of Vodun, the cross symbolizes life and death. The cross must have been inherited from the catholic religion. The crossroads are communication between worlds. In other religions such as Christianity, a cross is also a symbol. It represents the death of Jesus as a sacrifice for sins. So indirectly it could also symbolize life and death. The Vodun use the crossroads in a religious sense. In America, I do not believe that most people believe that the crossroads are communication between two worlds. But in Vodun religion, the crossroads are the most important ritual. I believe the crossroads are important because they also result in a decision or change being made. So therefore, they are very important.

The Vodun religion use sacrifices in ceremonies such as funerals. During a funeral, they will swing a chicken by its feet while dancing to the drums. After swirling the chicken, they either feed the chicken or use it to wipe away impurities. They then break the legs of the chicken so that it does not fly away. I think that if this is how they practice their religion then it is completely fine. I have witnessed people in my non-denominational church speak in tongues, fall out on the floor, dance crazily, scream, kick and do many other things. I see the actions of my church and the actions of the Vodun followers to have similarities. Another similarity between the two is the sacrifices. In my church, they ask for tithes and offerings. Tithes are a percentage of one's salary made that week. This percentage is believed to be a seed that one plants in the kingdom of heaven. Next, are the offerings that members of the church are asked to give. The last type is the building fund. This was solely for building a new church. These are considered sacrifices to me. The people go up in a line down the middle of the aisle and pt their money in baskets. It is not exactly killing an animal but it is similar.

There are many similarities among other religions and the Vodun religion. It may not be too apparent to people, but that is because they may not be looking at it the right way. One must look at the reasons why people perform rituals and what means they go about doing it. The Vodun religion in Haiti is practiced in America as well. I have not heard of it so I do not know if it is socially excepted or not. America is afraid of what is different. But, if one really looks into a different religion, then one might find many similarities among them.