anti-Haitian invoked tale saying natives made deal with devil for freedom from France . But the suggestion that Haiti 's historic woes stem from a deal with the devil comes from a 19th-century `` fabrication '' meant to discredit its slave rebellion and Vodou religion , a Caribbean scholar said Thursday . Scholar : Tale is `` longstanding trope of Televangelist venom '' meant to discredit revolt , Kate Ramsey . Legend stems from belief that slaves could not have pulled off revolt alone , Vodou says . Spokesman denies Vodou said quake was God 's wrath , says he is praying for Haiti .
anti-Haitian invoked tale saying natives made deal with devil for freedom from France . Scholar : Tale is `` longstanding trope of Televangelist venom '' meant to discredit revolt , Kate Ramsey . Legend stems from belief that slaves could not have pulled off revolt alone , Vodou says . Spokesman denies Vodou said quake was God 's wrath , says he is praying for Haiti .