Though there are over 60 million practitioners worldwide, the religion known as Vodoun, more commonly spelled Voodoo, continues to be considered mysterious or in some circles evil. What many people do not know is that Vodoun has long been considered to be a distant relative of Catholicism (Schaeffer 25). The beliefs and practices of Vodoun are saturated with African and European influences rich with artistic culture. The history, beliefs, practices, and rituals have shown that Vodoun is a religion with a meaningful theology that draws many parallels to themes already understood by the western world.
The religion itself begins in Haiti where "Vodou was created out of several closely-related traditions transported across the Atlantic by enslaved Africans who transformed their beliefs and rituals according to the conditions they had to face in the Americas" (Quick 33). As more slaves were being brought to Haiti due to the slave trade, the slaves there began to create a strong social fabric from many different African cultures and religions. Not only were African religions incorporated, but Catholicism was also woven into the fabric of Vodoun. Slave rebellions resulting from secret Vodoun practice erupted into war against Napolean's weak army. In 1804, its revolutionary leader, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, proclaimed Haiti's independence (Schaeffer 25). The religion of Vodou has since migrated and continues to be practiced in Cuba, Trinidad, Brazil, and in the southern United States, especially Louisiana (Encarta). Since this time, the religion has continued to be controversial mainly because it is misunderstood. .
There are many similarities between Catholicism and Vodoun. For instance, both religions believe in a supreme being known as Bon Dieu. In addition to Bon Dieu, Vodoun followers also believe in spirits called Loa who resemble Christian Saints. Loa are "people who once led exceptional lives, and are usually given a single responsibility or a special attribute" ( Religious Tolerance).