Rastafarian movement

[dzheremi]

Bless everyone,

What a very warm welcome indeed, i am pleasently surprised so thank you to all!

Egziabher yimmesgen! I am glad that you have found a positive response here so far. I hope it continues.

A good question, thank you. Firstly its like the argument of “jesus was jewish so why isnt everyone that follows jesus, jewish?” …

Haha. Yes, it does sound like that, doesn’t it? I think I phrased it badly. I meant to ask if Rastas take into account Haile Selassie’s religious identity as an Orthodox Christian when they consider what they believe about him, and if this has drawn any to consider the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. I have, in fact, heard of Christians who convert to Judaism with Jesus as a motivation to look deeper into the Jewish roots of Christianity, but I didn’t mean that all Rastas should become Ethiopian Orthodox because Haile Selassie was.

The basic principle here, is that through JAHs messenger [Bob Marley] Haile Selassie I was really heard

This is interesting, because I thought Rastafari as a religion or movement dates back to the 1930s, which would have been long before Bob Marley was even alive. What was it like before Bob Marley brought it to worldwide prominence?

and we know as Rasta, that he is linage of the Solomon Line [Sheba] who as we know came to Israel and returned to Ethopia to give birth. Just As Jesus, created Christianity, from Judaism [being a practising jew] Haile Selassie has created Rastafarian movement [A practising Christian]

I see. So I take it you read the Kebra Negast, then? It is a fascinating book, isn’t it? I have read portions of it due to my linguistic and cultural interest in Ethiopia. I think everyone should read it, even if they’re not interested in Rastafari as a movement.

Rastafari isnt a “religion” it is a Spirtuality. So Not One Rasta shares Exactly the same views. Some of us smoke Ganja and some of us dont. Some are completley vegetarian, some are not. You overstand?

Yes.

It is common back in the early beginings of Rastafari that many people see Haile Selassie I as the head creator. Now i know for a fact christians are immedietly turned away from Rastafari because of this. This is a misconception of the majoirty of Rasta who do not see Selassie I as the most High, But the King of Kings from the Linage of King David, and the king from GOD. It all links to gether in what non-rastas would call “coincidence” but there is too many of these “coincidences” to make the faith unreal

Ah, I see. So Haile Selassie/Ras Tafari is not God? I had been told that Rastas believe that he is. Thank you for your clarification.

It is interesting that there are not so many Rastas in Ethiopia itself. Only in Shashamene, like this very angry man, and apparently in Addis. I wonder why that is.

Again thank you for taking time to have another aspect of Faith, and thank you all again, for your warm welcomes…

I’m always happy to learn. Thank you for being here to teach.

 

[RastaFari]

Thank you dzheremi what a very very wise forum post, thank you!

Quote:
The basic principle here, is that through JAHs messenger [Bob Marley] Haile Selassie I was really heard…

This is interesting, because I thought Rastafari as a religion or movement dates back to the 1930s, which would have been long before Bob Marley was even alive. What was it like before Bob Marley brought it to worldwide prominence?

yes sir rasta movement 1930s was when it started, but if it wasnt for JAHS messengers, the movement would probably have never touched the whole world, and stayed in jamaica…

For reggae music is love, and GOD IS LOVE.

1. Kebra nagast is a beautiful beautiful spirtual book, i read it with such great interest and i would reccommend it to any person, this particular book, has really really BEAUTIFUL Stories about faith.!
   amazon.com/Kebra-Negast-Rastafarian-Ethiopia-Jamaica/dp/0312167938/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264239067&sr=8-1

A few rastas wish to go back to Africa, for spiritual reaons and pratical ones also… LEt me explain… It is fact that the british,dutch etc etc, used AFrican Slaves and took them to the caribbean… This is very very true… So many Rastas who are of Black skin, and caribbean nationality have a strong feeling to BACK to africa, becuase thats where they belong…
The video you showed is a proud african but very out of touch, i knew someone who worked with Selassie I personally and Selassie I ate meat.

Among White, Chinese, Asian Rastas’ etc etc… The common thought is, respect for ethopia and Israel as these are the holy lands but it doesnt matter where u live… I am of British Desent, Cacuasian so i am currently living in England… We are all wanting to return to Israel one day, being in physical or spiritual…

Haile Selassie I for me, is not GOD, As I belive that the Head Creator [One GOD] would not come in human flesh… The messiah Jesus was his Son, Hailie Selassie I is the king and prophet. . Hope this makes Sense… ITs the power of the Trinity, but 3seperate roles. BUT ONE GOD. Gods spirit lives in every concious person!

DZheremi thank you for your wise questions and look forward to hearing anymore you may have. Bless.

@jakasaki yes we should eat clean

 

[planten]

RastaFari, please tell:

1. You consider yourself as a christian?
2. We know that Queen Sheba of Yemen had visited Jerusalem. Before that she was inviting the King Soloman to the worship of her pagan Gods ( Sun worship??). And she had sent some good gifts to King Soloman to appease him.

But King was not pleased with those gifts. He said that God had given him much more than any one could imagine. The king in a way rebuked the Queen for being a pagan.

On that message the queen announced that she would personally visit the Kingdom of Soloman.

It is well recorded beautfully in the Quran (chapter 27, verses 20 to 45). But there is no news about the marraige of Soloman and Sheba.

Would you please let me know if the marriage is recorded in the bibleOT. Is it indicated in the bibleOT that Soloman and Sheba married and they got a son from the marraige. Only reference to such news will be enough for me to checkup. Thanks RastaFari.

 

[LilyM]

1. Haile Selassie I denied divinity of being “GOD” or a Prophet, becuase the eyes of the world were watching. He visited around the world, including america and the caribbean. If someone openly claimed that they were Jesus, you would think immedietly that they were abit bonkers in the head. So haile selassie i Could not openly say that he was, as this would undermine his role in the church etc etc, , hope that answers your question.

Interesting - so you believe he was divine but public opinion and his standing with religious authorities meant he couldn’t openly say so?

Jesus, of course, never denied being divine nor being a messenger of God the Father, even though people thought He was ‘a bit bonkers in the head’ and it certainly interfered with His standing with Jewish religious leaders - and had much worse consequences for Him too!

1. Again i will get you versus, but it is important for me to say, that the use of the herb being cultural allows meditating and calmness. It calms people and allows people prayer and meditation on a higher level. A rasta man, will not get drunk on alchohol, as this means EGO takes over your conciousness and does not alloow you clear thought… Alchohol is a DRUG, and Ganja, is a herb, a naturally growing substance whereas alchhol has to be processed in some way.

Also very interesting ideas. Of course coca leaves, from which cocaine is derived, are also naturally growing substance. So are opium poppies. So are ‘magic mushrooms’. None of these require what I would think of as processing to experience their narcotic effects. Would you say humans can and should use all of them then?

As for alcohol - wine in its purest form needs no processing. Take grape juice, leave it to naturally ferment, and the result will probably be wine.

 

[RastaFari]

@planten

1. no i consider myself as a rasta man [you saw that one coming right? ]… Rastas are what my OPINION would say were the roots christians… no polluted by mans religion…
2. It states no marriage, but queen sheba bore a son. and returned to Ethopia… The lineage has been there ever since.

As said, the Kebra Nagast has lots of information about the kings, and is a truley wonderful read.

Roots!

 

[jen_fla]

hi roots. welcome to the forum!

i have some questions:

what do people of your faith think when non-rastafarians grow dreadlocks to be fashionable?

what did you mean when you said this?

So Rastas are Christian people, but we are disagree on alot of Catholic Principles especially as GOD said “we are all equals”

do you mean that your faith teaches we are not equals or that our faith teaches we are not equals? just kind of struck me, because the Catholic faith has always been for everyone all over the planet. we teach that we are all equal, but in terms of man and woman we are equal, but have different roles.

glad you came to caf! i am positive everyone will learn from each other.

oh and i know this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but speaking of carribbean culture, if you are ever in miami, you should check out their goombay festivals. hands down the best in the united states. the last time i went to one was back in the 90’s… but still incredible.

peace! :grouphug:
jen

 

[RastaFari]

hi roots. welcome to the forum!

i have some questions:

what do people of your faith think when non-rastafarians grow dreadlocks to be fashionable?

what did you mean when you said this?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RastaFari View Post
So Rastas are Christian people, but we are disagree on alot of Catholic Principles especially as GOD said “we are all equals”
do you mean that your faith teaches we are not equals or that our faith teaches we are not equals? just kind of struck me, because the Catholic faith has always been for everyone all over the planet. we teach that we are all equal, but in terms of man and woman we are equal, but have different roles.

glad you came to caf! i am positive everyone will learn from each other.

oh and i know this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but speaking of carribbean culture, if you are ever in miami, you should check out their goombay festivals. hands down the best in the united states. the last time i went to one was back in the 90’s… but still incredible.

peace!
jen

Hi Jen, peace!

1. Right, Rastas generally see people who grow dreads to be a little bit ignorant. Dreads are a rastafarian symbol [yes i am aware there are native cultures hundreds and even thousands of years old that wore dreads. [rope hair].
   However dreads are a natural hair if you didnt use babylon chemical shampoos, no matter your race, if you allowed your hair to grow and keep it very clean then your hair will dread as long as you dont cut it…
   This in itself is fact, so people who grow their hair natually into locks, no problem… But people who have “chemically Saloned dreads” are doing it for “fashion” and “vanity”
   hope this answers your first question
2. Yes our faith means everyone is equal, this post shouldnt be turned into what I find odd about catholic faith, but in essence i dont belive that an “elected MAN” [pope] is “closer to god” than say you, or me… He is your spirtual leader on this earth for most catholics?. means he is “higher” than you or I. Also the crusades from the “roman empire” a thousand years ago, persecuted non-christians after a sudden change where one emperor changed the state of religion, to christian… Roman armies swept through europe and in essence forced christianity apon western civilization…

Please please, let I keep this topic on the rastafarian movement, not a cathlic one, if you get what i mean

 

[RastaFari]

So stay Blessed and positive

Again if anyone want to ask any questions at all,

just type away on here, or send me a pm

Selassie I

Hotep

Love

 

[jen_fla]

Hi Jen, peace!

1. Right, Rastas generally see people who grow dreads to be a little bit ignorant. Dreads are a rastafarian symbol [yes i am aware there are native cultures hundreds and even thousands of years old that wore dreads. [rope hair].
   However dreads are a natural hair if you didnt use babylon chemical shampoos, no matter your race, if you allowed your hair to grow and keep it very clean then your hair will dread as long as you dont cut it…
   This in itself is fact, so people who grow their hair natually into locks, no problem… But people who have “chemically Saloned dreads” are doing it for “fashion” and “vanity”
   hope this answers your first question
2. Yes our faith means everyone is equal, this post shouldnt be turned into what I find odd about catholic faith, but in essence i dont belive that an “elected MAN” [pope] is “closer to god” than say you, or me… He is your spirtual leader on this earth for most catholics?. means he is “higher” than you or I. Also the crusades from the “roman empire” a thousand years ago, persecuted non-christians after a sudden change where one emperor changed the state of religion, to christian… Roman armies swept through europe and in essence forced christianity apon western civilization…

Please please, let I keep this topic on the rastafarian movement, not a cathlic one, if you get what i mean

hi roots, thanks for answering! i once accidentally made a dread… long story, …but i do think one can never wash their hair with chemicals (could use vinegar, dr bronners etc) and as long as they comb it, no dreads will come. my ex-husband (caucasian like you) had dreads. when he finally asked me to cut them off, being the amateur scientist that i am (i just had to know what was “in” there) so i took one and busted out my exacto knife and performed surgery! you are 100% right about “babylon chemical shampoos” as they were most present along with babylon chemical conditioners! …but i do get what you are saying about how they are “spiritual” for rastafarians and it mildly annoys me to see kids trying to look the part without making any effort to understand the thoughts behind it… but to each their own! i hope the dreadlock surgery i performed was not offensive to you.

moving on, i don’t want to make this about the CC, but it does happen often that our non-Catholic friends that come on here can’t help but make jabs instead of sticking to just their faith. if you promise to do that then i won’t send you a million links discussing the crusades. and you must admit you were the one that brought up the “Pope being higher than us” issue. again, all i will say on the topic is that funny enough, the Orthodox Church sees their Patriarch (Pope) the same way Catholics do as they are successors to the 12 apostles. the only difference is they feel the Patriarchs are all equal and Peter wasn’t above them. you live in england which has a very strong anti-Catholic history, so if you are interested all i can do is invite you to read some articles around here that might present you with more data.

so in reality the Church that bob marley converted to before his death sees their Patriarch in the same manner we see ours.

but you are right that this isn’t a thread about the CC, so let’s move on.

next question(s):

do you find it strange that the Ethiopian Church never accepted Haile Selassie as the second coming of Christ?

now that he has died, do most rastafarians still believe he was the second coming of Christ or has it turned into a cultural group?

while bob marley may have been a rastafarian, he did covert to Orthodox Christianity which is a very ancient and organized religion. he left the easy path of spirituality which most people define for themselves for a very structured faith, where he needed to follow the teachings of the Orthodox Church.

can you help me understand better?

thanks for sticking around!

ps i lurv me some old reggae, but for some reason when inside it kind of annoys me, but outside by water then all of a sudden it’s way sublime!

 

[benidict]

Greetings in the name of the most High Jah.

Firstly let I introduce Iself. My name is Roots, i am a Rastafarian Male living in the UK, England.
I am looking to faith build and discuss our slightly contrasting paths, to anyone who wishes to reason with me!

Now let me first give a very quick passage on what the Rastafarian way of life is.

Rastafarians are rooted Christians who read the bible a chapter a day. We do not aline to any “church” as we belive the spirit of GOD dwells within EVERY Man [and living thing]. The Human body is our Holy Temple, so no harm should come to it, [self artificially change, Tattoos, Piercings etc].
We are commonly associated with Robert Nesta Marley [Bob Marley], which is a very fair assumption indeed. We will grow our hair and grow our dreadlocks…
This is in line with a Nazarite Vow, and also to show our faith to god, and showing the whole world that we are ‘not the same as you’. We see locks as a deeply spiritual thing…

Right,

On November 2, 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned king of Ethiopia. Upon his coronation, he claimed for himself the titles of "Emperor Haile Selassie (Power of the Trinity) I, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Haile Selassie was the 225th in an unbroken line of Ethiopian monarchs of the Solomonic Dynasty. This dynasty is said to have been founded in the 10th century BC by Menelik I, the son of the Biblical King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, who had visited Solomon in Israel. 1 Kings 10:13 claims "And King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants

So Rastas are Christian people, but we are disagree on alot of Catholic Principles especially as GOD said “we are all equals”

Please ask any questions you wish So we can faith build together, and hopefully when talking you will open up, and talk out of the box.

Love and Respect

Roots

interesting. so you can trace your spiritual lineage back to the queen of sheba? do you also have Jewish blood running in your veins? one thing i always wondered about. did something else happen between solomon and the queen of sheba? did they perhaps start a bloodline there? im very interested in your views on this. appreciate any info you can give me. thx and Peace to you.

 

[dzheremi]

According to Ethiopian legend, the son that resulted from the union of King David and the Queen of Sheba, Menelik I, established the Solomonic dynasty that ruled Ethiopia until the death of Haile Selassie in 1974.

 

[benidict]

According to Ethiopian legend, the son that resulted from the union of King David and the Queen of Sheba, Menelik I, established the Solomonic dynasty that ruled Ethiopia until the death of Haile Selassie in 1974.

hi dzheremi. thank you. you meant solomon and the queen of sheba, correct? i always kind of read this between the lines of the story, then there was the ethiopian airlift by bush 41 for the ethiopian Jews. interesting considering the prophecies of such an occurance. thats another topic tho. thanks for the info. im gonna look up your links. peace

 

[dzheremi]

hi dzheremi. thank you. you meant solomon and the queen of sheba, correct? i always kind of read this between the lines of the story, then there was the ethiopian airlift by bush 41 for the ethiopian Jews. interesting considering the prophecies of such an occurance. thats another topic tho. thanks for the info. im gonna look up your links. peace

Of course. Solomon, like I put elsewhere in the post. Haha. Silly me and my not proof reading.

“Operation Solomon”, the airlift you mention, was a very interesting historical event. I have several liturgical recordings of Shabat services of the Beta Israel (it is not appropriate to use “Falasha” when referring to Ethiopian Jews, though this is what you’re likely to read in most literature; it was common until relatively recently, but it is considered pejorative) dating back to the 1950s, recorded on site in Ambober, a stronghold of the community prior to their “rescue”. They are very unique, even though they are in the national language, Amharic, and not the traditional Qemant language spoken by the Beta Israel and related people. Now almost nobody speaks the Qemant language, as most Ethiopian Jews adopted Amharic even before the majority were airlifted to Israel.

If you want to read an interesting if controversial book concerning the Ethiopian Jews, I can recommend Kay Kaufman Shelemay’s memoir “A Song of Longing”, which documents her ethno-musicological work with the Beta Israel in the 1970s just prior to and after the events which toppled the Ethiopian monarchy. Much of it consists of Shelemay’s personal life, but there are also interesting observations on the controversy surrounding the Jewish identity of the Beta Israel, the advocacy and meddling on their behalf by outsiders, and their unique liturgical customs. Shelemay rightly (in my opinion) highlights their similarity to the larger Ethiopian Orthodox Christian community, who likewise keep dietary laws that are very close to Jewish kashrut, celebrate on Saturday (as well as Sunday!), observe a strict division of the sexes in their houses of worship, etc.

 

[RastaFari]

Yes

The ethopian othodox church can trace its kings back to the time of Sheba and Menelik.

A view strengthed yesterday by a fantastic program looking at ethopian othodox christians, with some of the most beautiful and holy places on the planet.

It is belived that the 10commandments/ark of covenment is in a church in ethopia.

Seeing as humanity started in Africa, i think it is wise, to have connection with the continent. Ethopia being in my eyes, the african holy land.

@ Gen Fla,

do you find it strange that the Ethiopian Church never accepted Haile Selassie as the second coming of Christ?

hmmm, It is important to look back at previous posts on this thread. I personally dont see HIM as the 2nd coming of Christ, so i understand why the ethopian othodox didnt… However Selassie I was more than a Solomonic King. The prophet, the king of kings, the lion of judah, were all titles Haile Selassie I took. All can be traced in the bible, and kebra nagast…

It is the same question was, why did the majority of rabbis, jews, romans when jesus was there, deny him? then crucify him??

This whole think with ethopia and Selassie I is linked!! this is the latest chapter in the story of the most high and Gods Plan

Bless

 

[jen_fla]

Yes

The ethopian othodox church can trace its kings back to the time of Sheba and Menelik.

A view strengthed yesterday by a fantastic program looking at ethopian othodox christians, with some of the most beautiful and holy places on the planet.

It is belived that the 10commandments/ark of covenment is in a church in ethopia.

Seeing as humanity started in Africa, i think it is wise, to have connection with the continent. Ethopia being in my eyes, the african holy land.

@ Gen Fla,

hmmm, It is important to look back at previous posts on this thread. I personally dont see HIM as the 2nd coming of Christ, so i understand why the ethopian othodox didnt… However Selassie I was more than a Solomonic King. The prophet, the king of kings, the lion of judah, were all titles Haile Selassie I took. All can be traced in the bible, and kebra nagast…

It is the same question was, why did the majority of rabbis, jews, romans when jesus was there, deny him? then crucify him??

This whole think with ethopia and Selassie I is linked!! this is the latest chapter in the story of the most high and Gods Plan

Bless

i am sorry, but haile is not linked to the Bible.

and it is not the same question. rome eventually converted, but at the time of Christ’s crucifixion the romans looked upon it all as a Jewish affair. gentiles couldn’t convert even if they wanted to, but later when possible many did. the numbers might have seemed small today, but you have to remember the early Christians were persecuted and killed violently for their faith. however, Christ’s Church eventually conquered rome and today Christianity is the world’s largest religion. i do not know what percentage of Jews followed Christ, but i thank God that 12 Jews did!

i respect and agree with many (if not the bulk) of the rastafari ideas and think the culture is beautiful, but sadly enough the majority did (perhaps still do?) believe selassie to be the messiah even though he himself denied it. so as a religion or in terms of spirituality that aspect is false.

with no set tenets of faith, is it fair to call this a political & cultural movement only?

sorry if i am asking too many questions.

i guess what i am really having a hard time with is seeing what the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the rastafari’s have in common theologically speaking besides the fact that they both believe in one God or Jah. again, the EOC never believed selassie to have any divine qualities or to be linked to the Bible.

thanks and peace!

 

[jmtosh]

Hi Ras Tafari,

I used to be into Bob Marley & the Wailers, etc…

I got the impression that Ras Tafarians do not believe in Christ’s Deity.

To quote Bob Marley in the song Get Up Stand Up:

“We’re sick n tired of your izzin skizzin game/ dying and going to heaven in Jesus name/ we know and we understand/ that the mighty God is a living man / you can fool some people sometime but you can’t fool all of the people all the time / so now we see the light we stand up for our right…if you know what life is worth you will look for yours on earth …”

Do Ras Tafaris believe in Jesus Christ or Haille Selassie or both?

Regards

 

[SugarMagnolia]

Hi Roots!

I’d like to know about ital food. I’m a vegetarian and it’s my understanding that Rastas are vegetarians for religious reasons.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Wow a real Rastafarian. That’s so neat. So is there certain method that you all are required or prefer to use the herb? While I do disagree with many parts of the religion I do agree that you all have a lot of respect for God’s plant creations and for that I thank you all.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\Haile Selassie was the 225th in an unbroken line of Ethiopian monarchs of the Solomonic Dynasty.\

And he was a devout son of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tahwedo Church, too–NOT a Rastafarian, which is a sect that originated in the West Indies, if I’m not mistaken.

 

[Froggita]

I am new to these forums, and I found it because I was searching for information on Rastafari & Christianity. Thank you to RastaFari and dzheremi for your very interesting and informative posts, and everyone else for your intelligent questions.

Happy Birthday to Bob Marley, today!

Especially thank you all for the posts to youtube videos and books, and for your desire to engage in spiritual discussion!

May all of you have a blessed day and week and year!

My question is: Were you raised in Rasta spirituality, or did you come to it as an adult? What was that like for you, either way? Have you traveled or lived in places where Rasta is the dominant culture/faith, and how was that different for you? Do you find that you come in for some discrimination and ignorance related to your dreadlocks or your faith? I would love to hear the story of how you came to your faith.

May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe and secure.
May all beings be free!

Froggie