Does the Bible say anything about Voodoo? How should Christians view Voodoo?
Voodoo is the name for several religions all stemming from West African Voodoo, or Vodon. Voodoo is also practiced in Haiti, Louisiana, Haitian communities living in Miami and New York City, Brazil, other parts of Latin America, and Cuba. West African Voodoo names a masculine and feminine god and includes spirits that rule nature and spirits in rocks, rivers, trees, and other parts of nature. It is known as Vodun, Voudoun, Vodou, Vaudoux, Vodoun or Voudou. The original Voodoo includes animal sacrifices and ancestor worship.
Sometimes Voodoo is combined with aspects of Roman Catholicism. This practice began in the new world when slaves were shipped to North and South America. In Cuba it's called Santeria; in Brazil it's called Candomble. In Haiti, those who practice Voodoo worship Ioa who is associated with Catholic saints.
Voodoo varies from one community to another, and sometimes from one individual to another, because it is based on oral traditions. Often it focuses on a god called Bondye who is remote and not active in the lives of adherents.
Voodoo worshipers use special diet, ceremonies, rituals, spell casting, potions, and talismans and amulets for healing. They use singing, ecstatic dance, and snakes to invite spirits to "ride" them.
Because Voodoo does not acknowledge the One, True God and His Son Jesus Christ, plus teaches the worship of spirits and includes occult practices such as fortunetelling and sorcery, its practices are strongly condemned by the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:9–13; Leviticus 19:26, 31; 20:6; 2 Kings 17:17; Acts 19:18–19; Revelation 21:8; 22:15) and by extension, Christians.
The practices and beliefs of Voodoo are prohibited in the Bible. Its god and gods are not associated with the God of the Bible. Any Voodoo practices can invite demonic activity. Christians should absolutely avoid any voodoo practice.
Additionally, by adulterating any Christian influence, Voodoo has rejected the biblical primacy of Jesus Christ and His propitiation for believers on the cross. Voodoo is a false religion. The God of the Bible is the only true God and there is only one way to relationship with Him, Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8–10).
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