Neighbors Think Santeria is Icky
Wednesday June 25, 2008
In yet another case of "religious freedom is fine but please don't do it in my community," a Florida neighborhood is up in arms about a resident who practices Santeria, and has been seen bringing goats and chickens into his home. The upscale community of Waterford Lakes, in Orange County, apparently has neighbors in a tizzy. Resident Hector Febus, who rents the home, was seen taking animals into the home, and when the police showed up, deputies say they interrupted a Santeria ceremony. However, according to federal law, animal sacrifice for religious purposes is protected under the Constitution.
In Santeria, animal sacrifice is typically limited to goats and chickens, although the folks at Waterford Lakes are apparently worried that their Labradoodles might suddenly start disappearing. The goats and chickens are ritually slaughtered as part of a ceremony, and then cooked and eaten. Now the homeowner's association is trying to figure out what they can do about it, since animal sacrifice isn't even mentioned in their bylaws.
Febus told reporters that on the night deputies stopped by, he was performing a healing ritual, and that while there were chickens present, they were simply for eating, and were not ritually sacrificed. He also permitted cameras inside his home and showed reporters a room where people come for consultations. He said that people have come to his house with cancer, and then been healed with "the gathering of the spirit and God."
Neighbor Ron Hardblower said, "Yeah, we are not happy about that type of religion... the religion itself is OK, but to have that here in this neighborhood?" Another resident said that she was concerned about people "harming animals", and questioned whether or not dogs and cats would be next.
In Santeria, animal sacrifice is typically limited to goats and chickens, although the folks at Waterford Lakes are apparently worried that their Labradoodles might suddenly start disappearing. The goats and chickens are ritually slaughtered as part of a ceremony, and then cooked and eaten. Now the homeowner's association is trying to figure out what they can do about it, since animal sacrifice isn't even mentioned in their bylaws.
Febus told reporters that on the night deputies stopped by, he was performing a healing ritual, and that while there were chickens present, they were simply for eating, and were not ritually sacrificed. He also permitted cameras inside his home and showed reporters a room where people come for consultations. He said that people have come to his house with cancer, and then been healed with "the gathering of the spirit and God."
Neighbor Ron Hardblower said, "Yeah, we are not happy about that type of religion... the religion itself is OK, but to have that here in this neighborhood?" Another resident said that she was concerned about people "harming animals", and questioned whether or not dogs and cats would be next.
Comments
Do people even think before they speak? To say “the religion itself is OK, but to have that here in this neighborhood?” is clearly saying that the religion is not OK.
Animal sacrifice isn’t something I would ever do, I can’t even handle cooking meat bought from the market. :p
Very interesting article!
Talk about complete ridiculousness!
Prehaps those that practice Santeria should say “Oh The religion is ok, but singing hymns, but not in this neighborhood”
The hypocrisy and stupidity of the American public knows no bounds. Personally, I find the ritualized murder of another human being, and the ritualized cannibalism of drinking his blood and eating his flesh rather disgusting, but you don’t see me telling the Christians they can’t do communion, do you?
HaHa What’s vegan animal-sacrificer to do? All that meat left over???
I see a contradiction here. Perhaps the animal sacrificer will substitute soy products?
Yet another example of intolerance through ignorance.
As a Santera, I’ve seen this attitude a lot of times. The community eats when animals are sacrificed, the food rarely goes to waste. Americans have become very removed from their food production, and never consider the cow, pig or lamb when they eat meat. But neither dogs or cats are ever considered appropriate for sacrifice.
O.K. Mr. “Friend”, now your making fun of vegans? I’m proud to be a vegan, and we would never sacrafice any living thing unless it was a mosquito that was biting us. Various cultures do sacrafice animals, what do you think BBQs and fast food is? If you partake in the feasting of animal flesh, even if it’s a chicken McNugget, it’s sacrafice, and your susposed to thank to animal that gave it’s life up for you.
People need to educate themselves about something before they open their mouths…I actually had someone say to me “What is wicca? I don’t know what it is, but I don’t want it here.” You don’t have to agree with it, but PLEASE people, be TOLERANT of others & their beliefs…Remember, freedom of religion means ALL religions, not just YOURS…
Sorry this is so long…
I grew up in New Hampshire, one of the larger cities, in a middle class neighborhood. Playing with all the neighborhood children including one of the only girls who was a few years older than I. When I was in the 5th grade people around the neighborhood started finding live chickens, goats, pheasants and other “exotic” (to NH) animals roaming the neighborhood additionally, the neighborhood dogs & cats were digging up and bringing home carcasses of animals.
It turns out my female friends older brother (he must have been in about the 8th grade) spoke to his schools guidance counselor and disclosed that he was to be initiated into his family’s religion (it was said to be Santeria) and was extremely terrified. One day after school we all came home to multiple police cars, the hazmat team and the fire department. We watched as the officers removed live and dead animals, multiple large bottles of blood, tools used for sacrificing and other things I’ve come to forget. But I will always remember this scene and the ladies wailing in the front yard cursing everyone as well as praying. As a child it was very scary.
I am Wiccan. I do believe that everyone should be able to practice his or her religion. But what I experienced and even worse the fact that both children were removed from the family for their safety (I am unsure for how long), was not understandable at the age of 10.
I implore you to practice, pray, meditate, believe in yourself and or whatever you believe in. But realize that others may not understand as I did not as a child of 10.
Thank you and Blessed Be.
I’m sure that most if not all of those neighbors worried about their pets regularly eat meat…