Tampa Bay Worries about Animal Sacrifice

In a recent newscast (WTSP News), the  words “headless animals” and “Santería” were consistently thrown together, sprinkling a report that focused on animal sacrifice, its purpose, legality, and effects on the South Florida community. The article asked, “Is this black magic, voodoo, or witchcraft?” (Just quoting, people!) Here are excerpts with a link to the full article below:

Animals sacrificed for the living. The sight can be unnerving and even terrifying for those not familiar with the practice. From Africa to Cuba and even along the shores of a Florida lake, sacrificial rituals continue in modern society. Afro-Caribbean religions like Santeria involve animal sacrifice in their most important cleansing ceremonies.

“[This has been going on] all through history!” says Dr. Mozella Mitchell. She chairs the religious studies department at the University of South Florida and has written books on mystical religions like Santeria. Mitchell points out that…