Santeria?

I've been away for a while due to travel, yet I am curious if anyone is familiar with Santeria? I'd like some feedback as finding *good* information online has been a challenge in itself. Any help from this diverse group would be greatly appreciated.

 

From what I remember, it’s the result of salves in America combining their religions with Catholicism. I know it is still practiced today by some but most states have laws against animal cruelty even if it does fall within a religion.

 

Wiki info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santeria

 

Man, does this question bring back memories of my doctoral days . . .

The U.S. Supreme Court comprehensively addressed Santeria in a major religious rights case titled Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520 (1993). Their opinion has great background information on Santeria - you can find the full opinion here.

 

Why do you ask?

 

Stephen Colbert did mention it in his book that was published yesterday. That was my first thought when I saw the title of this thread.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I had a friend who was getting involved with this, and I picked up four books on it and found it to be fascinating in the aspect of the belief systems that are out there and go back thousands of years.

Some observations are the following:

(1) It seems very much steeped in symbolism and superstition,
(2) It's a religion of the third-world, and it's coming to America (..just wait)
(3) The Babalao (or Santero) that does the rituals and ceremonies charges typically anywhere from $1K to $5K for people to participate,
(4) Trance Possession is common place when receiving orisas,
(5) Animal sacrifices play a major role in it,
(6) It's "dark" sister is VooDoo.

I'm thankful I was able to pull my friend away from it - as I saw that going down a road that would've been personally destructive for her. Thanks again for the feedback.

 

It's not something you want to play with. You were right in steering your friend away from that stuff.

Abner

 

I hold in my hand (and that makes typing rather difficult) a spray can of High John the Conqueror Spray, which my daughter bought for me at a Santeria supply store near where she lived in San Francisco's Mission District. The can says that "The Orientals are believed to have used these oils to waft the soul and body into the realm of Kings and Conquerors. Its fragrance is allegedly the s tepping stone to the Mighty Conqueror." They just couldn't resist: the can also says, "Let Us Spray." With it came a cake of Double Fast Luck Soap, designed "to increase luck, draw love or money, rid one of troubles, or break a jinx."

A principal supplier of products to the Santeria community (as well as the voodoo folks) is the Davis Company of Piscataway, NJ, which doesn't seem to have a website, but there is: http://www.luckymojo.com/fastlucksoap.html

 

I suppose, I could inject the "What religion isn't?" argument here as the Catholic church is probably the name brand of religion throughout the world, for a lack of a better term, and I certainly don't want to get into a comparative religion debate here as I disagree with the majority of them, their fundamentals, and their origin. Yet, that's probably for a different thread. What I found interesting is his argument about how prosperity would come upon you with these rituals and ceremonies yet, the majority of those practicing the religion live in poverty, which he noted as well. I found this to be a contradiction, but contradictions seem to go hand-in-hand with religions of all types.

Good point - and one of the things that initially struck me was they take payment up front instead of asking folks to pay 10% of their income on a weekly basis. Moreover, I suppose my point on this is that to actually take a step forward in their spiritual world to receive the warriors and so on is what they charge for - and a most of the time I hear them refer to it as a "business" rather than a ministry. The truth is now most ministries are a business, and I have no problem with that, but I do find it interesting comparison as they charge what most would consider "heavy fees" to take part.

Yes, indeed. I've seen a great deal of this myself, and I was personally never comfortable with it myself, but to each his own. So, what is the collective differences in these experiences other than under the name and banner of the religion in which they are experienced under?

Could it possibly be that "speaking in tongues" is not an experiences of the "light", but a lower level vibration possession of a being that tends to do one harm?

Good point - and also I'd add that animal sacrifice is actually found in many other religions through out the world. My own personal belief system says that one should not sacrifice animals and then wash your hair with their blood, but some people disagree and if it works for them - fantastic.

I've personally never been able to make logical sense out of it, yet that's my set of beliefs that I bring forth in this life. I'm always open minded to possibilities and explanations.

Not the term I prefer, and I'll add this was the term a Babalao used to explain the differences to me, and I should have noted that in my response. They described their work as "white magic" and VooDoo as "black magic". These were their terms not mine.

I have nothing personal against the religion, their practices, or their leaders to be quite frank. I just personally believe it's not for me, and the reason I was concerned for my friend is she was taken in by them, and they appeared to be very persuasive, and controlling and she tends to gravitate to those types of things. An amazing human being, but she's still growing in certain aspects of her life - hey, aren't we all in a continual growth process, that's why we are here, right?

 

It is apparent that both you and Steve are not Bible scholars.

The practice by several churches today of "speaking in tongues" is a joke. It's unfortunate that so many preachers are not Bible scholars either and have misused this statement (among many others).

I would agree that organized religion in all faiths has been more of a detriment than a blessing. Power corrupts; that applies to religious organizations as well. Being a Christian is not synonymous with being a catholic or a lutheran or swedenbourgian or a ... whatever flavor...

God is not the author of contradictions; the more you study the Word from the manuscripts (not just the English translations) the more apparent that becomes.

...don't just sit in a pew and nod,
read, study, meditate on it,
be your own pastor,

Susanna

 

That has got to be one of the most pompous, presumptuous, condescending posts I've ever read on this board.

What happened to the Susanna who wrote in another thread back in 2005, "Goodness gracious... your preaching is totally inappropriate?"

For what it's worth, I am neither Pentecostal nor Charismatic. But I do not feel the need to turn this forum into a millieu for doctrinal debate - it's a secular forum, and you have insulted not only any Santeria followers, but also Christians who may buy into the ridiculous practice of tongues. (Okay, I couldn't resist.)

But the point is that it was off the wall, directed against specific individuals who are valued members of this forum, and quite irrelevant. (Like you're a Bible scholar?)

Besides, where does the Bible say that you should "be your own pastor?" (Don't answer - it was a rhetorical question.)

Um, so there.

 

Oh dear...stepped on some toes have I? The comment that I made in 2005, was in the DL thread not this one which is entitled "Off-Topic discussions" is it not?

I am sure the valuable members of this board can handle my post...

chill out...

Susanna

 

Not to create a boiling cauldron of controversy but after looking into one of the above links, I have came to realize that at least one religion in America consists of a bag of squirrels recovering from bad JuJu acid trips during the 1960's
Gavin

 

Speaking as an atheist and trained skeptic, Santeria is just another flavor of bologna to go with all the others. I prefer to think for myself.

 

An old friend I lost contact with who is a seminary professor and also a Cuban-American wrote a good book on it:

Here is the link:

Santeria