Why does everyone think that people who practice Santeria are casting spells on peopl

I am Puerto Rican and I am in the religion. I am just wondering why people think that we cast spells on people, and that we are evil. I have never casted a spell on anyone. It doesn't work that way. Everything we do is with good intentions. And I like my religion way more then being christian. I have witnessed plenty of things that proved to me that it is real. I cant get into Christianity because all it is to me is a book that does that make sense. In my religion we still have a god. And we don't really cast spells or anything. We give offerings to our and ask that they give us luck with something. Like for example if I wanted to get a job, I would ask elegy (he is the saint that opens your doors....finding jobs, help with money...etc) to give me luck in finding a job, and I would give him offerings. When I find a job, I give him more offerings to thank him. But we never try to harm other people. Everything we do is solely for our own well being. So why do people think it is so bad?
And yes we do sacrifice animals, but so do Jewish people and other religions. You don't see them being criticized. When we do it it is an offering (its not very often we do it though) and it is never a "spell" against anyone, and we usually cook the chicken and eat it.
Yeah. It is only tied to voodoo because they are both African religions that steamed from the catholic religion. Other then that we are not alike AT ALL. Yes it is the media, I agree. And we are very peaceful. My favorite color to wear is white because it represents purity and peace. Yeah I guess I am so evil huh Lil.
No, Christians are the ones brainwashed...

It's a variant of Voodoo and Voodoo has been given a bad rep by the media. I've always known it to be a relatively peaceful religion.

Because they can't be bothered to find out what Santeria actually is. I have the same problem as a Satanist - people rely on the Christian propaganda about it and very few will actually en quire.

Because it is a crazy religion! You are brain washed to believe the way that you do.....

why does this exact same question has to come up over and over again, isn't there anything else that can be asked except questions to stir the pot on religions?

Moyubar!

You took all the words out of my mouth and we really think alike. Everything you said is what I constantly have to tell people.

My Islamic roommate said that during Eid they sacrifice a goat to show thanks to Allah and then feed the community with the animal. It was so similar to what happens in Santeria when we sacrifice to Olodumare.

I have to remind people that Santeria comes from an African religion and that black people do not readily throw away any food. Especially if they were enslaved and a piece of meat was hard to come by.

And Santeria definitely isn't about harming others or anything evil.

However, some people who practice Santeria really believe in Christianity too. My Ibayona wants me to be christened in the Catholic Church, but I won't do it. Even if my ancestor, who came to me in my dream and who keeps putting blocks in front of me, wants me to.

I did read a wonderful passage in a book about Ochun which explained the connections to the Saints. In a nutshell it stated how the Orishas can become the Saints and help people who ask the Saint for assistance, but the Saints are not powerful enough to become Orishas.

Have a good day.