Originally Posted by natirnr

Go to the closest city near you that has a French speaking or Spanish speaking African descent community. (Cause our roots folks down south is very secret)
Then go to the cultural council of that community, Haitian, Cuban, Panamanian, etc. and ask if
regarding french speaking; if you can sit in on a Voudun intiation, or healing ritual ceremony.
Then come back to the board and report what you see!!!!!!!!!!!!!(or what you experience).
Do the same for the Afro-Hispanic community; find out were the Santeria or Condomble' rituals are held and ask if you can sit in and then come back and report what you see.
Then if you are really not convinced
take some o that dough out the bank and go to any nation in the Motherland and go to the ministry of culture and say that you want to observe a traditional healing ritual, then come back to the board and report what you see.

You know I am suprised out my shoes how folks will go on and on about the visual aspects of African centered religion and the visual effects of the TRANCE STATE,; (I am not shamed of it and not scared of it the way your European friend is)that Harvard scientists have said that shamans have Made miraculous healings, from such rituals, regardless of religion! Pentecostal, Sufi, Yoruba, Akan or Zulu,
I do not have time to take any one out the house call a cab and take someone to an African ritual.
Get on a plane and see for yourself.
Or take a bus to a major city and participate if you REALLY want proof.
Giving you a book to read or a link to someones statitics, or me writing a mini thesis can't tell you that fire can burn or warm you, you got to experience it for yourself

You know a whole lot of folks didn't beleve in electricity, or microwaves 300 years ago too!

MY POINT IS MALCOM X SAID A TRITE DISCUSSION OF ATHEISM VS DEISM IS DIVISIVE TO OUR STRUGGLE,

but if you all want to drag this out, have fun! I can't hate you if that's the route you want to take.