Kreyolbrol, for somebody who is always trying to diminish people's intelligent, you do not know sound too intelligent. But, I am not going to do any name calling or dish out any put-downs, mainly because I was not raise that way and I can present my point of views without having to put others down.

Unfortunately, I have never been to both Bahamas or the Dominican Republic. However, I am hoping next year to volunteer/work at a clinic in the DR. So please do not make any assumption about my experiences, and If I did spent some times cutting sugar canes in the DR or being a "semi-slave" in the bahamas, I would not be ashamed to say it in this thread or anywhere else because experiences (good or bad) are what shape character... at least in my opinion. Plus, I do not trivialized any negative treatment Haitians receive. The only reason I made the comment is because I just read an article on a bahamian website where bahamians were expressing their anger toward their government for giving the haitian government 500,000 dollars.

For you information, I have taken a couple of world religion courses in college. However, not one of them dealt with Voudou because it is not a religion. From what I learn about voudou (directly from the "hougan", "voudou priests", and "mambo") to me, I would not consider it a religion because they themselves claim that it is used to cure "bad spell" and to put "spell or curses" on others. They did explain other things... the polytheistic nature of the belief... their rituals... ceremonial rituals... (it is amazing how much a "hougan" will talk once he received a plate of hot food from those EVIL white men).

However, you did have a good point "what you have witnessed in Haiti is ignorance, poverty, lack of access to medical care". Like I said at the  end, maybe if these people had an education, perhaps things would be different... I say it only in hopes. I still remember how the mother looked when her daughter passed away... claiming that one of her enemies had won refusing to believe that she had a real sickness and under usual circumstances would have been cured. Maybe if we had saved her daughter it would have convinced her that voudou does not cure real sickness.

Lastly, modern medicine does not need to co-exist with voudou. Modern medicine cures people, voudou only reinforce the ignorance that is prevalent in Haiti. Also, putting the missionaries down is not smart because they are the one who are educating, feeding, and housing most haitians. which leads me to this question: what have you done for the country aside from being a know-it-all haitian philosopher?

medical student

more from the medical student,

"please understand the culture and the real reasons why Haitians pratice vaudou before you start dishing out any advice to some poor haitian peasant", before I went to volunteer I knew little about voudou. However, my info on the belief stem from what these voudou believers/hougans told me. they claim that they practice voudou in order to cure bad spells or put bad spell on others in a nutshell. They did mention other things... rituals, ceremonies... some of them have big feast for the "gods", yet cannot feed their children...

As for priests that molest children, bad christians, etc... as kreyolbro said " they are not real christians".  If the major aspect of Islam was to put "bad spell" on others, and it promoted ignorance... and it affected my country... I would voice my opinion too.

The Duvalier dictatorship was heavily influenced by voudou; in fact, because of his belief in voudou, he promoted a lot of hougans in his cabinet and they were also many that became "tonton makout".

As for me being unintelligent for not applying for US citizenship... you completely missed the point... Yes, I do see the advantages of having a US citizenship, if you want to live in America. I have lived in the US for 12 years... it has not been a problem not being a citizen. I plan on just finishing my medical education in the US, pay off my med school loans, and reside in Haiti where my skills in much needed.

To the medical student: 

Haiti could always use another medical doctor and I am sure your skills will be much appreciated.

On the subject of Vaudou, we can agree to disagree.  If it is attacked however, I will stop at nothing to defend it.

kreyolbro@aol.com

just one more thing from the medical student...

I have read all my posts over and realize that I am being slightly rediculous. Kreyolbro, I must have misunderstood you, because after readin your posts over, I realize that much of what you are writing is exceptionally correct and relevent. After having a lengthy conversation with a cousin of mine who is actually practicing medecine in Haiti, I realize that Vaudou is a viable religion and deserves all the respect it can get. The think that really made me change my mind is when my cousin told me that our maternal grandmother was a big-time mambo about 40 years ago! That really surprised me. I'm going to take another look at Vaudou in Haiti and will try to learn everything I can about it.

I'd like to thank everyone on this web site for being patient with me. I'm suer this dialogue will make me a better doctor. (If I ever gradutate!! I just failed my last test...but that's anopther story.)

medical student

I did not write the above statements, no test during 3 and 4 th years of med school, just clerkships (maybe small quizzes at the end of some clerkship, but thank god no exams_... person wrote the above statement obviously stupid or ignorant about medical education in America. No one in my family tree practices voudou, and voudou will not make anyone a better doctor. Kreyolbro, we will just agree to disagree. I still stand firm on my views, will no longer post in this thread b/c people are not taking haiti's situation seriously.

Thanks,

The anti-voudou medical student

To the medical student:

Growing up, I've heard many stories about vodou and how our people use it to try to kill others, get rich, etc. I was always under the impression that vodou was linked to evil. When I got older, I learned the difference between vodou and "black magic". Most of the misconceptions I had about vodou began to clear. And just like you, I've learned of some relatives on my dad's side of the family who practiced voudou. Just keep learning more about it, as well as how it differs from black magic. And good luck with your medical studies...   

sorry med student. i made that post before seeing if anyone else had made one. you can disregard what i wrote.

Final post from the medical student,

Not only will I no longer post on this thread, but I find most of you to be exceptionally illitirate. Kreyolbro, although we agree to disagree, I do think you are more correct than I am in your views. You are also the most clear-headed person on this site. Keep up the good work. I was only kidding about people not taking Haiti's problems seriously (it's just that I egt irritated easily.) I think that my participation in this discussion will leave all of you with something to think about. Contrary to what I said above, I will continue participating sinec I have grown to love you all so much.

medical student

does the imposter medical student know how to spell? this must be kreyolbro trying to perpatrate. man, learn to spell before writting under someone else identity

Above Imbecile accusing me of trying to "perpatrate"

   Learn how to spell.

   Don't throw accusations unless you can back them up.

   I don't have to hide behind "Guest" to speak my mind.  If you could read you would have noticed that.

    kreyolbro@aol.com