What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

[Guest]

It really shocked me sometime how a lot of people always have the most negative thing to say about Rasta and they dont even know anything about the Faith and what and who we are. It really bugs me when people ask me if i am a Ras and i said yes the first thing they ask is if i smoke i said no why not isn't that what they all do.

NO! Not all Rasta smoke Rasta is not about smoking more it is more to that than just lighting up. There are so many uneducated people out there about Rasta and the thing is they don't want to learn they just listen to what people say and then they follow i dont' think most people out there have a clue to what it is all about especially Jamaican. Rastas are not accepted by there own kind, then again Christ said he came to his own and they accept me not. As they said a prophet is never accepted in his own town that is so true. Rastas get so much fight by our own people in our own country.

It is time for us to start educating our selfs about our own culture.

please comment.

[Ackee]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

Hi Kristeen15,it is unfortunate that you perceived a negative reaction towards, it is possible that this prejudice could have arisen out of a lack of understanding of what is Rastafarianism. For my own enlightenment, and perhaps to remove whatever myths there may be, I assume that as a practising Rasta, you may be able to answer a few questions on the subject matter;

Is Rastafarianism a religion?
In what ways is Rastafarian different from Christianity (in your opinion)?
Does Rastafarianism has its own exclusive spiritual text?
What/Whom is the deity of Rastafarians?
To what significance is Jesus Christ, if any, to Rastafarians?
Are there any special social practices that only devoted Rastafarians practice?

[416_635]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

No Rastafarian is not a religion. It is a natural way of life. We don't go around like some church goers shoving our beliefs dont peoples throat. We tell people the truth; we tell them the truth about the bible, who they are and where we are from.
Rastas beliefs and know that Ras Tafari is the return Christ, he is the King of Kings as he said in revelation.

former kristeen15

[jah_lou]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

I believe rastarism is a way of life, not politics, not religion just a way of life.
I believe this way of life has been around a long time before king NEGUS NEGUSTA as he was knowned before assuming the throne of HAILE SELASSIE THE I. When any one ask me if I am a rastaman I repeat I am a "LOCKMAN" who has taken the "VOW OF THE NAZARITE" for those who are not familiar with the vow please read in bible "NUMBERS 6:2" There are so many different tribes of rasta, it becomes very political, and religious. the bottom line is you must have "GOOD WAYS" as stated by MIGUEL COLLINS A.K.A SIZZLA .

[britisha]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

Jah-lou, didn't you just contradict yourself...in one breath you stated it is not a religion and in another breath you said it is

[Ackee]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

Rastafarianism is "a way of life" and wish you would had gone a bit further in explaining what this means. Is it simple the practising of certain rituals and social habits?

Ras Tafari is the return Christ..Messiah?
Your "way of life" seem to draw from Christianity to a large extent, particularly its scripture,why? Why not Islam,Buddahism Shintoism or Zorastrianism?

Jah-lou, I recognise you are saying that it is not a religion, but why the attraction to Chrisitanity, example your "Vow of the Nazarite"?

[Mutty]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

Rastafarianism was born in a land heavily saturated with Christianity. Despite some in its ranks who criticize its predecessor (Christianity) mightily, it (Rastafarianism) cannot shake it's great dependence on it (Christianity). Funny thing is, Haile Selassie professed to be a Christian.

Some Rastas will criticize the Bible as the handiwork of King James, yet quote from it to make points (my experience). Kinda reminds me of Islam.

Note that I said some, because I know rastas like Luciano apparently hold Christian beliefs in high respect and had disagreements with other rastas (in the music industry) who were 'bunin' things Christian. Heck, he's probably the most Christain rasta I ever heard just like Farrakhan (showing how great his West Indian influenced Christianity still clings to him) is like the most 'Christian' Muslim I ever heard. When you listen to him, sometimes you don't know if you're listening to a Christian minister or a Muslim one.

[This message has been edited by Mutty (edited 09-03-2001).]

[Ackee]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

chuckle I was trying to draw this point out from Kristeen, but neither her or Jah-lou seem prepared to address it.

[jah_lou]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

The questions we should be asking are, what is christianity? where did it come from? and why? I believe just because I read the bible does not make me a christian. The bible was suppose to be a roadmap for life, but men added alot of things to control other men.for example Tafari is suppose to be a direct decendent of King Solomon. The 23rd generation they claim but, if you know your bible history that was approximately 2300 years ago, and that does make any sense, because according to the KING JAMES VERSION. king Solomon was not around 2300 years ago.I also pray and give thanks to GOD not any man that has walked the earth. I think praying to GOD is a "WAY OF LIFE" If the majority of the planet wants to put a title to that, then so be it.

peace and jah bless

[Philippe]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

Kristeen,

Check out a book called "Rasta and Resistance" by Horace Campbell. It is truly illuminating and sets the record straight.

It shows how Rastafarians regarded Haile Selassie as their King or example of leadership and how they grew away from the theocratic to become truly revolutionary to realize the thrust of natural living. It also shows how theocracy was reintroduced by the Ethiopian Coptic Zion Church as a front for foreign drug smuggling and as an anti-communist device.

Rasta is a rebel philosophy of workers and poor people. I disagree with the institutionalization of Rastafari and it's hypocracy towards women.

[barosa]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 416_635:
No Rastafarian is not a religion. It is a natural way of life. We don't go around like some church goers shoving our beliefs dont peoples throat. We tell people the truth; we tell them the truth about the bible, who they are and where we are from.
Rastas beliefs and know that Ras Tafari is the return Christ, he is the King of Kings as he said in revelation.

former kristeen15 </font>

416_635,

Just wanted you to know that I am confused by you saying that Rastafarianism is not a religion. I have been in the company of rastafarian friends, some of whom were schoolmates of mine before conversion and I was convinced of their adherance to their religious faith.

There was no doubt in my mind that their beliefs and faith were anchored in Rastafarianism, their religion with a black God. I've often tmes wondered why they kept sending me to the bible (old testament) to verify some of their pronouncements. I later accepted the idea of their religion based in part on teachings from the old testament.

So, I need answers to clear up my confusion. Is there an ELDER or HIGH PRIEST that can dispel the inaccurcies floating around among some of the faithful??

[Sista Dawn]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jah_lou:
the bottom line is you must have "GOOD WAYS" as stated by MIGUEL COLLINS A.K.A SIZZLA . </font>

...and he's such a good "religious" role-model talking about "black ooman, what lovely breasts you have..."
**sounds pretty lustful if you ask me**

[Sista Dawn]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by 416_635:
Ras Tafari is the return Christ, he is the King of Kings as he said in revelation.
</font>

ok, as said in revelation..., if he was the return Christ, what are we still doing here????? Doesn't Revelation say when He comes for His return, the earth will pass away??? And it's obvious we're not in the Millenial Reign, so that's not the excuse...

[Irie 24-7]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

Rasta is a "way of thinking", a philosophy if you will. If there is one thing Rastas should have in common it is this: To act and thinks as Jah would to the best of your human ability. What irks me is the belief that Sellasie is the "return christ", thats a crock of $hit, even Sellasie himself was a devout Christian man who denounced his so called " avatarism " that Garvey coincidentally proclaimed, Sellasie asked people not to put him on a pedestal in a God-like manner, Sellasie was just a man like you and I, nothing else. Jesus is the only way to Jah, peace to the messenJAH!

[Rdawta]

Re: What is Rastarfarinism does anyone know anything about Rasta and their believes

For anyone who tryes to "define" Rastafari,
they are doing so in vain. They are trying to create limitations upon ones own spiritual connection. No one can define Rastafari because there are no limitations to its existence. Try and you will be damned, and you will find yourself still in question.
Rastafari is life, period.

Rdawta