Currently reading....

The Serpent and the Rainbow: A Harvard Scientist's Astonishing Journey into the Secret Societies of Haitian Voodoo, Zombis, and Magic by Wade Davis

I ordered this a few weeks ago at the recommendation of my friend Debbie, a missionary on the ground in Haiti. It arrived the day before the earthquake, and in light of Pat Robertson's comments it seemed fitting to start reading this. (Side comment: Pat Robertson, when will you learn to shut up????)

While I don't believe in Vodou (the Haitian Creole word for it), there's no doubt it's got a profound impact on Haitian society in general. I learned a little bit about it while I was down there all those years ago but the little I learned was less than a scratch on the surface. Obviously, my belief is that Vodou is an empty substitute for a relationship with the one true God, but it the reputation it has here in the US of black magic and sacrificing babies is not accurate either.

On an unrelated note, I am making a pact with myself to not buy nor check out any more books from the library until the 24 (including the one mentioned here) as-yet-unread books currently sitting on my shelf have been finished. I may not be able to hold myself to this but I'm going to make a concerted effort. I already have half a dozen on my to-read list AFTER that so hopefully that will serve as an impetus to get readin'.