Chapter 6

Myths About Other Western Traditions

First published: 03 June 2014

Summary

In this chapter, the authors take a brief look at five smaller traditions that are utterly diverse, but that all have significant interactions with the mainstream Western traditions. In fact, the claim that Zoroastrians worship fire became an accusation of idolatry that led to periods of persecution throughout Zoroastrian history. Vodou is actually one of the official religions of Haiti, practiced by an estimated 80% of the island's population, along with Roman Catholicism. Witches have good reason to be excited about Harry Potter. The equation of witchcraft with Satan worship was a common assumption in early modern Europe. Undoubtedly, the connection between smoking marijuana, Bob Marley's music, and Rastafarianism is well known. Less well known is what the followers of Rastafarianism actually believe. Most of the religious traditions we've considered in the chapter developed outside Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

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