Santeria

By Crusader1307

 ''Santeria'' is a Religious System which developed as a merging of Catholicism and African (Yoruba) Tribal related forms. It was first practiced in Cuba starting in the 16th Century AD. Slaves from Africa (brought there by Spain), also brought with them their Tribal Beliefs. They were assimilated into the dominant Catholic Religion and a new ''religious practice'' called ''Santeria'' was ''born''. Often confused with Haitian and related Caribbean Nations whose indigenous populace practice ''Voodoo'' Santeria had some similarities, but is very different.

The primary belief system stresses that it's ''Creator-God'' is somewhat apathetic to Humankind and pays ''us'' little attention. As such, the Pantheon of Deities in Santeria are ''worshiped'' in such a way as too ''attract'' The Creators attention. Like Haitian Voodoo that uses a close reference to Catholic Saints and their Icons to ''represent'' their Deities, so too does Santeria. The Belief places emphasis on honoring the Dead and their associated Spirits, which according to Santeria beliefs, can influence the Living in both good and evil ways. Priests and Priestesses live by a much stricter moral code that Voodoo Practitioners.

Santeria Practitioners use their homes as defacto Temples, erecting various Altars by which to conduct their rituals. The belief also heavily relies on animals sacrifices to appease their Deities. Much more outspoken than Voodoo Practitioners, Santerians are constantly under Law Enforcement scrutiny, and it has tried (with a level of success in The United States), to achieve ''Freedom of Worship'' status by challenging various Cases with The US Supreme Court.