--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not a question of whether I believe…" description: "\"It is not a question of whether I believe in voodoo. I am a scholar and, as such, I have studied the concept of voodoo. I have created the faculty of A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/francois-duvalier-41769_believe_it-is-not-a-question-of-whether-i-believ_2192866.jpg" --- # It is not a question of whether I believe in voodoo. I am… ![“It is not a question of whether I believe in voodoo. I am a scholar and, as such, I have studied the concept of voodoo. I have created the faculty of Afro-Haitian ethnology in our university where the concept of voodoo is taught. Voodoo is not superstition. It is a philosophy, a conception of God.” quote by Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/francois-duvalier-41769_believe_it-is-not-a-question-of-whether-i-believ_2192866.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/francois-duvalier-41769_believe_it-is-not-a-question-of-whether-i-believ_2192866.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be4/francois-duvalier-41769_believe_it-is-not-a-question-of-whether-i-believ_2192866.jpg) > “It is not a question of whether I believe in voodoo. I am a scholar and, as such, I have studied the concept of voodoo. I have created the faculty of Afro-Haitian ethnology in our university where the concept of voodoo is taught. Voodoo is not superstition. It is a philosophy, a conception of God.” [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Voodoo is presented as a scholarly discipline, not superstition, emphasizing its philosophical and theological aspects. **In simple terms:** Voodoo is a studied philosophy, not mere superstition. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural systems as intellectual traditions. Themes culture philosophy religion education Mood respectful inquisitive analytical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - University curricula - anthropology research - interfaith dialogue - cultural preservation Key Concepts Afro-Haitian ethnology theology cultural studies Questions to Reflect On - How does academic framing affect public perception of Voodoo? - What responsibilities do scholars have when presenting sacred traditions? A Different Perspective Scholarly study may overlook lived experiences and diverse interpretations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Superstition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstition/) [Voodoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voodoo/) ## Related quotes > [I don't believe in voodoo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-hudson/i-don-t-believe-in-voodoo/) [Jennifer Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-hudson/) > [I can no longer believe in any voodoo spell or laboratory virus. This is something deeper, darker. This comes from the cosmos, from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-marion/i-can-no-longer-believe-in-any-voodoo-spell-or-laboratory-virus-this/) [Isaac Marion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-marion/) > [I noticed that all the prayers I used to offer to God, and all the prayers I now offer to Joe Pesci, are being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-noticed-that-all-the-prayers-i-used-to-offer-to-god-and-all-the/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [People who have power, who think negatively of others and seek to injure them, are practicing a kind of voodoo, a lower sorcery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/people-who-have-power-who-think-negatively-of-others-and-seek-to/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Because that was some kind of voodoo, and I did not believe in magic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-love/because-that-was-some-kind-of-voodoo-and-i-did-not-believe-in-magic/) Bella Love > [Too bad you can't buy a voodoo globe so that you could make the earth spin real fast and freak everybody out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/too-bad-you-can-t-buy-a-voodoo-globe-so-that-you-could-make-the-earth/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [And if you dolled up, I got the voodoo for you b-tches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/and-if-you-dolled-up-i-got-the-voodoo-for-you-b-tches/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [“So I figured I might as well see if I could find something Gaspard didnt already know about. Like an herb or potion or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-plum/so-i-figured-i-might-as-well-see-if-i-could-find-something-gaspard/) [Amy Plum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-plum/) > [If science ever gets to the bottom of Voodoo in Haiti and Africa, it will be found that some important medical secrets, still unknown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/if-science-ever-gets-to-the-bottom-of-voodoo-in-haiti-and-africa-it/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [Why not just tell people I'm an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight. They'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-jackson/why-not-just-tell-people-i-m-an-alien-from-mars-tell-them-i-eat-live/) [Michael J. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-jackson/) > [There's also the tradition of voodoo, the Haitian magic arts, in New Orleans. And because New Orleans is below sea level, when they bury…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-trammell/there-s-also-the-tradition-of-voodoo-the-haitian-magic-arts-in-new/) [Sam Trammell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-trammell/) > [“voodoo is an actual religion, while hoodoo is a system of folk magic blending pagan traditions with ancient practices and European religion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliette-harper/voodoo-is-an-actual-religion-while-hoodoo-is-a-system-of-folk-magic/) [Juliette Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliette-harper/) > [I have two curiosity cabinets at home filled with finds from jumble sales, markets and my travels. My favourite piece is a voodoo mask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/i-have-two-curiosity-cabinets-at-home-filled-with-finds-from-jumble/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [I think that voodoo as a spiritual tradition has been demonized for so long in popular culture. I wanted to write against that and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-think-that-voodoo-as-a-spiritual-tradition-has-been-demonized-for/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) ## More by Francois Duvalier > [As revolutionary, I have no right to disregard the voice of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/as-revolutionary-i-have-no-right-to-disregard-the-voice-of-the-people/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [God and the people are the source of all power. I have twice been given the power. I have taken it, and damn it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/god-and-the-people-are-the-source-of-all-power-i-have-twice-been/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [The chief of the tribe is supposed to be the father of all people of the tribe. That is the Haitian way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/the-chief-of-the-tribe-is-supposed-to-be-the-father-of-all-people-of/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [I know the Haitian people because I am the Haitian people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/i-know-the-haitian-people-because-i-am-the-haitian-people/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [Communism has established centres of infection... No area in the world is as vital to American security as the Caribbean...We need a massive injection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/communism-has-established-centres-of-infection-no-area-in-the-world/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [I accept the people's will. As a revolutionary, I have no right to disregard the will of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/i-accept-the-people-s-will-as-a-revolutionary-i-have-no-right-to/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [I am the Haitian flag. He who is my enemy is the enemy of the fatherland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/i-am-the-haitian-flag-he-who-is-my-enemy-is-the-enemy-of-the/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [The people of Haiti have always called me Papa Doc. I was first their doctor. Now I am also their president for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/the-people-of-haiti-have-always-called-me-papa-doc-i-was-first-their/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) > [Revolutions are not made with literature. Revolutions equal gunfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-duvalier/revolutions-are-not-made-with-literature-revolutions-equal-gunfire/) [Francois Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) [Explore all 10 Francois Duvalier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-duvalier/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not a question of whether I believe in voodoo. I am a scholar and, as such, I have studied the concept of voodoo. I have created the faculty of Afro-Haitian ethnology in our university where the concept of voodoo is taught. Voodoo is not superstition. 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