Hi Fred...
This is an older article but it gives one a good idea of the voodoo-heads who
find Catholicism attractive. It is safe to say that this mentality (minus
the goat-heads) is representative of the primitive and superstitious mindset
of all Catholics.
Remember: I live in the only majority Catholic state in the U.S., Rhode Island,
a state also quite rightly reviled as the most corrupt state in the nation.
The two appellations are no coincidence...we must only look to the
"paradise" that constitutes South America to see that either
Catholicism breeds corruption or else corrupt people are attracted to
Catholicism by its doctrine of confession at death.
As a federal law enforcement official I was privy to confidential info
regarding the Mafia. They often figure its okay to be murderous felons in
life so long as they make a "good confession" on their deathbed.
The Catholic religion is merely an appalling superstition that is little
more than mental illness passed from generation to generation through the
forced indoctrination of unthinking children. The voodoo of Santeria is
only the most obviously insane of the various versions of Catholicism.
Sincerely,
Subj: Afro Catholics
POPE TO FIND AFRO CATHOLICS STRONG
.c The Associated Press
HAVANA (AP) - A crucifix stands behind the severed head and feet of a goat on
a floor bloody from an animal sacrifice. Drummers beat rapidly on boxes and
drums, and dancers writhe and butt like enraged horses.
Traditional Roman Catholics might not recognize the ceremony in Armando
Castillo's small apartment in Havana as a celebration honoring Santa Barbara,
a Catholic saint.
But the rite is an example of common religious practices in Cuba that combine
traditional Catholicism with African beliefs.
When Pope John Paul II makes his historic trip to Cuba in January, he may find
Catholics are outnumbered by followers of African-influenced religions like
Santeria, a mix of Catholicism and religions practiced by West African slaves
brought to the Caribbean.
Most Santeros are expected to welcome the pope enthusiastically.
``It gives me great satisfaction,'' said Mario Garcia, a prominent
practitioner of Palo Monte, a religion of Congolese origin that uses human
bone fragments to summon influential spirits to intercede with God.
Garcia, who goes to church as often as he can, said he hopes to attend the
papal Mass.
``To go to church means refreshing oneself with God,'' he said.
Enrique Hernandez Armenteros, head of the Afro-Cuban Religious Association,
has a poster welcoming the pope on his wall behind a glass-encased statue of
St. Lazarus.
At the icon's feet are moldy cigars and a scattering of little arms and legs
cut from tin, offerings from those seeking help for their painful extremities.
``I see his visit as very positive because .... he is the representative of
peace,'' said Hernandez, who is baptized but described himself as ``not an
active Christian.''
African immigrants began to identify Catholic saints with African deities
because the church, or Catholic festivals, often were the only places slaves
could openly practice religion, experts say.
Although Cuba has been officially atheist since the 1960s, about 70 percent of
Cubans dabble in some sort of African religious practices, usually very
lightly, said anthropologist Natalia Bolivar.
Only about 40 percent of Cubans are baptized Catholics, and a large share of
those blend Catholic and African beliefs. Most Santeria orders require
devotees to be baptized Catholics.
Catholic Cardinal Jaime Ortega has tried to use the papal visit to encourage
more orthodox practices. In recent open-air Masses to publicize the pope's
visit, Ortega alluded to Santeria orders as ``pseudo-religions.''
In a recent edition of the church magazine, Palabra Nueva, Ortega expressed
``violent criticism ... of the public, propagandistic presentation of Santeria
as the official religion of the country.''
Yet only two of Ortega's outdoor Masses drew more than 1,000 people - many
times fewer than those who regularly turn out, many crawling on their knees,
to honor St. Lazarus - known here as Babalu-Aye - each Dec. 16.
``He is a cardinal who does not understand well the situation of the Cuban
people,'' Bolivar said. ``He is attacking the Afro-Cuban religions that are
filling his churches.''
Ricardo Guerra, another researcher and practitioner of African religions,
complained the church was excluding Santero leaders from a delegation of
religious leaders who will meet the pope.
But Ortega insisted they are Catholics and thus are represented by church
leaders.
AP-NY-12-29-97 0334EST
Return to The Skeptic Tank's main Index page.
Caroline
Date: 97-12-29 08:29:29 EST
The views and opinions stated within this web page are those of the
author or authors which wrote them and may not reflect the views and
opinions of the ISP or account user which hosts the web page.