The Ifa Foundation spends the overwhelming amount of our time and energy in attempting to present a logical, thoughtful, understanding of the powerful philosophy of Ifa. It is our goal to return the philosophy to the intellectual standards that created it, rather than the anti-intellectual, superstitious, illogical paradigms that have attempted to co opt it. In doing this we, for the most part, ignore the bombastic attacks against us leveled by those who have either an emotional, nationalistic or economic interest in seeing the illogic continue.

It is our view, and message, that Ifa is inherently a philosophy of inclusion. That the very essence of its world view is that we are part of the whole.special only in our exercise of character and wisdom, and not by comparison to other parts of the same whole. That the power it offers us is in the area of self-empowerment, growth and symbiotic relationships with our family, community and the Earth we are part of.

In the corrupted, avaricious world view of Supremacy- a view espoused by every other major world religion - where their way was the only way- the possibilities of supremacy by color, nationality, gender or sexual orientation became acceptable. In Ifa's world view, where it was quite clear that Oludumare had created a universe of almost infinite diversity, the concept of Supremacy was ludicrous.

Yet, the attacks leveled at the Foundation almost invariably fall into several categories:

a) Ifa is an exclusively Black philosophy.
b) Ifa is an exclusively African possession.
c) Ifa became the possession of Latin American's.

And there are subsets of these concepts.they include;

a) Homosexuals cannot participate fully
b) Women are less equal than men
c) Europeans are inherently trying to steal the philosophy

Each and every statement and attack relies upon the concept of Supremacy in order to be valid. Because there is no Supremacy, there can be no validity to these ideas. Yet, perhaps most interesting, is the emotional vortex that spawns these concepts.and, almost without exception, the pain and anger these individuals or groups feel, stemmed from acts that could only have sprung from a Supremacist world view! By maintaining that view, even in its obverse form, they perpetuate the ultimate slavery, domination or imprisonment of one group or another.

It does not matter if your last name begins and ends with a vowel, if you have memorized 1000 pataki, or you proclaim yourself a scholar. If you believe that your skin color, land of birth or sexual orientation in any way provide you with exclusivity or supremacy, you are simply NOT practicing or teaching Ifa.

Ifa is not a social club.and should not be confused with one. While individuals always have the inherent right to associate with others they are comfortable with, they have no right to base that association on some inherent form of supremacy. Too many have abrogated their intellectual clarity for the sake of what they perceive of as "belonging." In so doing they not only cut themselves off from the genuine beauty and possibilities of Ifa, but they further the irrational and destructive philosophy of Supremacy that created the ills they seek to avoid.

Unless and until they refuse to accept the tenets of the very philosophies that created their anguish, the insanity will continue.and, indeed, a look at the killing, slavery and attempts at domination throughout the world.including within Africa.continue to take place because of the concept of Supremacy.

Ifa is about the Whole. It is about character, logic, and positive energy. Ifa is the denial of Supremacy in any form. It is what we will continue to practice and to teach.

Blessings!...
Philip Neimark
Oluwo