IDENTIDADES 1 ENGLISH IDENTIDADES 7 ENGLISH | Page 75

stereotyped according to race, intellect
or, even less, due to sexual preference.
In the end, we are all human beings and,
for example, what difference does it
make if a person from the LBGTQ
community, and another who is heterosexual, both practice a certain religion in
a responsible and respectful manner?
Religion and the LGBTQ community
In the Oddun Ojuani Boche [Boche Oracle of the Life Path, Ifá states a prohibition on the isolation of homosexuals
from the awofakan consecration (to receive the Hand of Orula). It also tells us
about the punishments the priests who
do not respect this commandment can
suffer. One’s ashé (the life force that
runs through all living things) is innate
and not acquired; thus, nothing and no
one can discriminate against any human
being due to his or her sexual preference.
What people seek in consecration

through our religion is to help the initiated fulfill the promises that their ori inu
[destiny] made before Olodumare (the
God of Creation). If we devote ourselves
to distancing people due to prejudices or
erroneous interpretations, we are not
complying with Ifá’s commandments or
with Olodumare: that is, we are not being good priests. A priest is a spiritual
guide. He should not be interested in a
person’s personal life unless his or her
behavior jeopardizes our religion. Similarly, he is not interested in what they do
in their own homes behind closed doors,
on the street, or in their workplaces.
Every time someone gets initiated into
Ifá, he or she swears before his or her
ancestor to fulfill with Ifá’s commandments, be a good parent, child, sibling,
and friend. Those who are not initiated
should perceive in them the marks of
Orula, our great counselor and savior.

Representation of Obbata lá

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