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Voodou isn’t like that. It isn’t concerned with notions of…

“Voodou isn’t like that. It isn’t concerned with notions of salvation and transcendence. What it’s about is getting things done. You follow me? In out system, there are many gods, spirits. Part of one big family, with all the virtues, all the vices. There’s a ritual tradition of communal…” quote by William Gibson
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““Voodou isn’t like that. It isn’t concerned with notions of salvation and transcendence. What it’s about is getting things done. You follow me? In out system, there are many gods, spirits. Part of one big family, with all the virtues, all the vices. There’s a ritual tradition of communal manifestation, understand? Voodou says, there’s a God, sure, Gran Met, but He’s big, too big and too far away to worry Himself if your ass is poor, or you can’t get laid. Come on, man, you know how this works, it’s street religion, came out of dirt poor places a million years ago. Voodou’s like the street. Some duster chops out your sister, you don’t go camp on the Yakuza’s doorstep, do you? No way. You go to somebody, though, who can get the thing done. Right?””

William Gibson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage describes Voodoo as a pragmatic, street-level spirituality focused on tangible results rather than abstract salvation.

In simple terms: Voodoo is practical, not about salvation.

Key Takeaway

Respect practical belief systems.

Themes

spirituality pragmatism culture

Mood

analytical curious

Type

cultural explanatory

When to use this quote

  • urban anthropology
  • social work
  • community organizing
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

Voodoo street religion ritualism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does practicality affect spiritual practice?
  • What are the limits of such belief systems?
A Different Perspective

It may romanticize or oversimplify complex traditions.

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