20 world religions and faith practices 359

Robyn Lebron creator of the universe But its link to everything in nature is one of mediation and of the protection of man In fact, Vodoun’s link with universe only finds its meaning through its connection with man The essential acts of worship in the Vodoun religion are sacrifices (of propitiation or thanksgiving), offerings a nd p rayers C ommunion meals and annual purification r ites c omplete t he v ast r ange o f f orms of ritual worship The Vodoun rules establish a life of solidarity among these individuals In addition, “Vodoun tolerates no transgression of its prohibitions This maintains among sincere Vodoun adepts a permanent culture of fidelity The total commitment of ex-Vodoun adepts who have converted to Christianity is a proof of this.”10 The features to be focused on, therefore, are the values of fraternity, solidarity, communion, and religious fidelity Family’s disagreements, discords between employer and employee, disputes concerning land ownership, differences of opinion and of point of views, problems created by birth, education, health, work, and death, find their solutions in Vodoun That system of belief is the interpersonal as well as the collective mediator of the…people For implicitly enfolded in the entire Vodoun system is a “Code of Ethics” which serves as an instrument of peace and harmony for everyone.11 The teachings are revealed to many, and the precepts are instructive to all who naturally see the well-founded grounds for them This explains why Vodoun, whenever and wherever it is practiced, gathers the adhesion of the majority of the population Religious conviction gives meaning to behavior and moral choices ecca Guinea represents the symbolic homeland of the African people The most sacred city of Guinea is Ife (an ancient Yoruba city in southwestern Nigeria, where the founding deities †—†—™ƒ and „ƒ–ƒŽƒ began the creation of the world as directed by the Supreme Being) It is the mecca of Vodoun Since Africa is east of the New World, Ife represents the celestial position of the sun Devotees gain spiritual strength from Ife; they are sent to Ife in a very solemn ceremony signifying death, burial, and resurrection ~ ~