What good does Voodoo do?
I am not an expert on religion, however, I believe the religion has been associated with strong negative connotations by missionaries and folks bent on destroying a pure religion. Its roots are all African infused with some catholic saints. In Africa, the practice is very much alive despite Christianity, Islam, Hebrew, etc.
When a person is practicing "their" own religion, the civilization is strengthened. Its not a secret that the first thing administered to a conquered people is the religion of the conqueror, followed by language and customs. You would be eternally enslaved if you believe in the ideals of others.
India was occupied by many conquerors throughout her history but she never succumbed to the religious beliefs of others. Hindu is still the religion practiced by the majority, followed by Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhs, etc. The Indians held energetically to their religion and that alone offered them solace through their many ordeals and episodes of invasions.
The practice of voodoo garnered the spirit of the ancestors and enabled the Haitians to fight as a mighty unit against the forces of Napoleon. Many people lacking knowledge or the ability to learn, have an innate disposition to malign or kill whatever they don't understand.
When a people are able to sever the chains around the mind, then and only then, could they claim freedom!