Santa Muerta Church

[DavidI]

During my career, the majority of my time working the streets was South Central Los Angeles. I enjoyed the great people out there who are hard-working men and women trying to achieve the American Dream. Most people who are not familiar with the area do not know the population makeup. According to the 2014 census, it was 66% Hispanic (96% of which are born outside the United States), 30% African American, and most other races are 1% or lower. The races are from every South American country, not only Mexico. With that said, they bring their cultures and beliefs as well. Our country was founded on many tenets, and by most accounts religion was at the top of the list.

While working South Central, I made a habit of parking my police car and walking the streets. I needed to know the lay of the land such as where alleys ended, holes were cut into fences, long driveways that lead to back houses, store layouts, which stores had clerks who were armed (most are armed and openly carry a firearm within the store interior because they have been robbed at gunpoint so often. I always introduced myself to the store managers and clerks and got an understanding of the floorplans.

One day I was driving through a northern section of South Central and saw a business with blacked out drapes covering the big plate glass windows. It was a non-descript business with no sign outside. I parked my police car and entered the business.
Before I go on, Americans enjoy the freedom of religion and can choose to worship in any way he or she prefers.

I entered the front door and saw several Hispanic women dressed in black huddled near the back corner of the interior. The women looked at me and an eerie silence fell upon them. They all stared at me with steely eyes that seemed to look right through me. Their faces hardened and all turned directly toward me. My senses went on in overload.

There was a large wood pentagram approximately 15 feet in diameter suspended from the ceiling. There were rows of pews running the width of the room, similar to a Catholic church. The front alter had dozens of grim reaper statutes holding scythes, each a different color and size. Hundreds of candles were lit casting a flickering shadow light throughout the darkened interior. Each wall had similar alters topped with additional menacing armed grim reapers.

Then I saw a black curtain that was partially open. When I looked toward it from about 20 feet away, the women quickly moved toward it and drew it closed. It seemed they did not want me to see what was behind the curtain. A pungent smell lingered in the air, mixed with fragrant burnt incense. I had no idea what was behind the curtain, but it smelled like death. Once you smell it, you never forget…ever. As I walked toward the curtained room, the women moved aside clearing a path for me; however, I could feel their hatred toward me. When I arrived at the draw curtain, I slowed slid it open and illuminated it with my flashlight. The floor was slick with crimson, thick, caked blood. A goat’s head was resting on top of an ornate alter, his eyes cloudy but looking directly at me. Several chickens had been slaughtered and disemboweled, intestines ripped from their bodies and apparently strung in some type of shape. It took me a few seconds to register the shape; it too was a pentagram. Several very large grim reapers surrounded the scene facing inward as if overseeing the ritual. A book, some kind of religious type, was opened on the floor itself blood spattered. Several butcher knives in various sizes and shapes had been plunged into a wooden butcher’s block. The scene was gruesome.

I exited the small room and slowly closed the black curtain behind me. The women stared at me with smiles on their faces. It seemed they were pleased to see me behind the curtain. My stomach turned in knots and my body heaved trying to relieve me of my lunch.

I walked toward one of the walls and found a list of “spells” or something like that. It described the various meanings of each grim reaper by color and size. There were prayers that one could recite for good prayers such as health or wealth, and others to cast sickness, poverty, and even death. My head was spinning.

I thanked the women for allowing me into their “Santa Muerta Church” and one handed me a large booklet, about the size of a newspaper. It described their church, the upcoming activities, and sacrificial rituals. On the back cover of the booklet were activities for kids. There was a “connect the dots” puzzle that was the grim reaper and scythe and a maze in the shape of a pentagon.

I left the church only to discover that there were 6 more within 10 blocks. Life in South Central Los Angeles.

[masraum]

Wow, who knew that reality would be like something from a movie.

[GH85Carrera]

There are many religions that make no sense to the other religions. I just hope those animals were killed humanly and quickly. The first amendment right to practice any religion is very basic. I guess we would all agree human sacrifices are not going to be allowed in any religion in the states.

That had to be a very creepy place to visit.

[RWebb]

Thx for your post. It reminded me of the S.Ct. case about the Santa Rita (Ria?) religion in Florida.

They got 'pinched' for a zoning code violation - chicken chopping (religious sacrifice) in a residential area. I forget the cite for the case, but IIRC, the S.Ct. ruled it was ok in an industrial area ("meatpacking district") but not in residential zoning.

[astrochex]

Man, that is maximum disturbing.

Thanks for the reminder that reality has very wide scope.

[Bill Douglas]

Creepy bastards. they come to the new world but bring their nutty chit with them.

[DFW_IE]

This death worship idea dates back a long way. It’s not new. It was creepy the first time I saw it but it’s really not much “weirder” than most religious ideas. For most of us it’s just not very pleasant to see people worshipping death.

[Bugsinrugs]

You are a brave man....I would be apprehensive exposing my back to these worshpers.