Many people that do not practice this religion automatically assume that the religion is some sort of horrible cult in which people simply slaughter animals. In interviews with people that live near the Lukumí Babalú Ayé Church, published in The Miami Herald, terrible remarks have been made concerning the religion and its practices in our community. One unnamed gentleman, who has spent five years living in the community where the church exists, says "It bothers me to have it here, I'm definitely against it" (May). Many people have similar opinions to this one because they assume that the practice of Santería is all bad. Perhaps they simply are not aware of the facts about the religion.

Assumptions may be made and blame placed on the church for events that happen in the community. In one situation, a man living near the aforementioned church states, "I don't like the idea of animal sacrifices; that should have gone out with the Middle Ages. If my dog disappears, I'll know where he's gone" (May 1). This statement shows how people assume problems with the church, without respecting the rituals practiced by the followers. Ernesto Pichardo, the president of the Lukumí Babalú Ayé Church, replies to that man's remark by saying, "If the dog is missing, please don't blame us. We certainly don't use pets" (May). According to another disgruntled church neighbor, "I'm gonna bitch like hell, if it starts to smell over there. We'll call the Health Department" (Morcate).

Based on the previous statements, one can see that many people in the community have almost hostile opinions towards the practice of this particular religion. For one, when Hialeah City Council president, Herman Echevarría, first learned about the church back in May of 1987, he said, "I'm not the type that interferes with anyone's religious beliefs as long as they don't hurt anybody else. I'm not crazy about [Santería] either, but if everything they're doing complies with the laws and ordinances or the city, I'm not one to go out and protest or make waves about what they're doing" (May). 

This is the type of response that many of the open-minded people in the community give when asked about their views on Santería. The major concern of Father Xavier Morras, pastor or Hialeah's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, is that people will be confused about the nature of this religion, and might attend a Santería church without even being aware of it (Interview). On the other side of the debate, O.R. Dathorne, director of Caribbean Studies at the University of Miami, notes that Santería practitioners encounter prejudice because of the African origins of the faith: "There is a certain prejudice against anything that is black" (May). This is a very strong opinion that makes an assumption about something that cannot be readily, or necessarily, proven. However, there is a definitive degree or fear and skepticism towards the religion that can be seen in the numerous legal problems confronted by the church headed by Pichardo. Some cases, concerning the religion's stance on animal sacrifice, have gone all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Contrary to all the criticism and praise, there is no doubt that Santería is ever growing and expanding throughout our country.

Chris Leonidas

May, Patrick. "Santería Opens Church In Hialeah." The Miami Herald. 18 May 1987: 1B+.