my mother (who grew up in haiti) and i were discussing my own lack of religion the other day and haiti came up. i tend to feel that religion causes problems in the world and is at the root of many wars, political issues, etc. HOWEVER, it is vodou that has held haitians together throughout the centuries. in the case of haiti it is religion (vodou) that has created life for them and kept them going. despite poverty, disease, natural disasters, etc. haitians never lose hope, their pride, or their faith. the haitian spirit is strong; i'm hopeful that in the same way a haitian could not convince a protestant to start worshipping erzulie, that haitians will resist as well, or continue to incorporate christian ideas into vodou, a favorite of the missionaries i'm sure.