Posted by JohnnyC
on June 7, 2008, 10:43 am, in reply to "Part three A deeper look at Cult and Sect activity in the formation and development of Christianity."
72.214.122.146
Part 4
Examples of Modern Cults and Sects.
“Santaria and Voodoo as a Christian Cult
When African slaves were imported to America, they were taught Christianity, but some people continued to hold their traditional beliefs. The result was a blending of traditional West African beliefs with Christianity. Today, many Afro-American folk religions continue to be practiced in the Caribbean, particularly among the poor and less educated people. They include Voodoo in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba, Shango in Trinidad, and Kuminia or Pocomania in Jamaica.
The Afro-American folk religions emphasize magical practices designed to bring good luck to their devotees or harm to their enemies. Ceremonies often include the ritual sacrifice of animals. The religions worship the spirits of the dead, but the spirits given the names of Christian saints. This blending of beliefs allowed the Africans to retain their native faith while appearing to convert to Christianity.
The folk religions also provide an additional function, particularly in the remote sections of Haiti. Many practitioners of the religions are able to use tropical plants to relieve pain and cure illnesses. This is the only medical care available to some people.
Many people of the Caribbean profess to be Christians, but feel comfortable with the rituals of the folk religions. In 1998, Pope John Paul II visited Cuba, where he urged Catholics to reject the practice of Santeria. In addition to the Caribbean, the folk religions are also practiced in American cities with large Caribbean populations. They include New Orleans, Miami, New York City, and Los Angeles.”
Taken from http://www.mrdowling.com/710-voodoo.html
Santa Ria is a cult because it is a blending of traditional West African beliefs with Christianity, due to a change in culture.
Another Hispanic-Catholic Cult
“Santa Muerte's precise origins are a matter of debate. Some experts say its roots lie with Aztec spiritual rituals that mixed with Catholicism during Spanish colonial rule.”
Taken from here http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1671984,00.html
Santa Muerte is a cult because it blended Aztec spiritual rituals with Catholicism as it migrated from the Spanish Culture to the Aztec culture in Spanish Colonial rule.
A Christian Sect could be any modern denomination.
For example Baptist and Pentecostal. Or Jehovah's Witness and Mormon. None of these are cults because they did not adapt changes from a different cultural worldview. But rather sects by the definitions we are using as, they view themselves as correct and a revitalization movement back to what they feel is the truth.
Some denominations are somewhat between cult and sect in origin. For example what happens when a mainstream denomination with an Affluent background sets up a mission in the Ghetto of it’s own city? They are definitely entering a different culture but with some similarities. This does induce changes to the theological outlook and eventually causes a break with the main church creating yet another sect that was caused due to cultural differences. We see some inner city churches which seemed to have borrowed from both Christianity and the Nation of Islam to create their Sect/belief system. Would this qualify as a sect or a cult? It has qualities of both and a political element it gained from the Nation of Islam worldview.
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