Where do I start with this? firstly they worship or believe that Haille Selaissie was the 2nd coming or the messiah a man who HAD NO RESPECT FOR RASTAFARIANS!! and didnt even recognise it as an official religion, he looked down on rastas, Selaissie was a man who was a dictator to other ethnic groups whom weren't of his own his own ilk, lets not forget how he fled his own country to live in luxury in Bath while his people fought of the Italians whilst all he could do was beg european countries and the US for intervention that to me is not a leader...and this is the leader that they follow.

Also Rastafarianism is just a *******ised form of christianity and still a form of judaic worship hence the worship of the lion of judah and other themes, the religion like other christian religion's emphasises 'Thre God Principle' and doesnt acknowledge the ancestors, again the God principle was never part of our traditional way of life and wa shafted onto us, Rastas think that they are doing good by preaching such nonsense but look at where most rastas are now...most of them want to be all things to all men and are shacked up with white women, listening to Bob Marley songs and have failed to take on a sufficient amount of responsibility within the black/african community, and worryingly alot of them are still living in some rasta dream and have not moved on from the 70's whilst other groups and religions find ways to progress...this is my perception of rastas, am i wrong...i dont think so but i speak for alot of people when i say that it's the general perception of them in society.....MEMO TO ALL RASTAFARIANS....WAKE UP!!!

I'm very serious!!

Topic may be a bit harsh, agreed, but I actually acknowledge a few of the thread starters points (i.e) "men and are shacked up with white women,.. have failed to take on a sufficient amount of responsibility within the black/african community"

well one point. Becausewhy shouldRastafarians above any other member in the Black community take more responsibility for our growth confused3(well no need to answer that) but the white woman thing has always got mebaffled:?

It would also be enlightening to know more about Heille Sallasse (sp) not acknowledging Rastaferianism initially, as this is something I also heard.

Hmmmmmm

Am interested in the response of the rastafarians of BNV to this thread!!!

@Ms Nellia the thread will be avoided like the plauge, because of the thread starters style of introducing the topic. Personally, I think it would be interesting to learn more about Rastaferianism. However, I think it will be relegated to the trash can some time soon.

Everywhere you'll have people who won't fit the description of what they are suppose to believe in.

Rastafarism is an African based religion. Haille Sallaisie is believed to be a reincarnation of Jesus. When you say rasta is a b**tardised verision of Christianity someone could say that Christianity is a b**tardised version of Rastafarism.

Ethiopia or Ethiopians who the West call 'coptic' Jews (that's debatable) is central to the belief.

However the mainpoints of Rasta is first to believethat Haillie Sallasie is from the line of Judah. Second that Africa (Ethiopia) is our spiritual homeland. Third that you have to keep yourself pure until God comes back again. Meaning to eat ital foods, (no pork) and worship Jah.

Rastafarism does not strictly rule out marrying people from other races. There is nowhere in the scriptures that absolutely forbids it. BUT theremust bea conflict in that if the religion is African based if you're married to a white it is kinda compromised.

You are entitiled to your thoughts. But why pick on Rasta when there are a myriad of other religions, (many rastas call it a way of life rather then religion), that could equally incur your wrath for not preaching what you want to hear.

http://www.earthcultureroots.com/rastafarism.html

At the end of the day rasta is just another'religion'for people to fuss and fight over like they do any other.


The fact it is African centered must be a positive thing. Thealternative is toworship a white God.

Greetings All



It saddens me When Our people have know perspective onOurstory, especially the young. Let me give you some history without putting down those who cannot grasp their legacy.



RASTAFARIANS!! were amongst the first Africans in the west to recognize thereheritage to the Motherland. This was in as climate were to recognize any African heritage was deemed to be anti God because Black Christians look to a white Jesus as the representation ofthe living God right here on earth ' Yes a white man was God'.

So the question has to be asked if Africans could look to a white Jesus as God on earth whycouldn'twe see ablack African.. a direct descendant of Solomon the Great beMessiah that living God.

This was truly Revolutionary thinking....



please read the following bible verses... which explanes the rational.

Revelations 5:5 and Ezekiel 28:25 are references used by Rastafarian's as proof of the deity of Emperor Haile Selassie. He was seen as the deliverer who would take his people back to their promised land as stated in Ezekiel 28:25. This, however did not happen. Rastafarian's compare their exile from Africa via the means of slavery with the Israelites exile to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 25). Hence the word Babylon is used for any system that oppresses. There is also a comparison to the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt before they went to the Promised Land.



Continuing...

Another important point you have to remember is the bible was the only widely available scriptures for most Jamaicansso from this they discerned that the White mansJesus wasn't there God.

The early RASTAFARIANS!! were amongst the first Africans in the west to re interpreted the bible, Andrecognised God in there own image. The most important thing to remember is the climate in which this bold step was made. Jamaicanwas and still is onethe most religious and restrictiveislands in the 'Caribbean', were Christianity, was a way of life ostracised RASTAFARIANS!! for there 'blasphemous' stance. They were considered the lowest form of human who were unworthy of society (outcasts).

Rastas look to Marcus Garveywho wasalso shunned by wider Jamaican society as a Prophet Who was bold enough an strong enough to advocate the creation of a strong African nation made up from Kidnapped Africans returning home. His message resonated with Rastafari because it was central to the belief of a return to Africa and that God was in there own image Which required a self determined religion.

Even to this day apart for Vodun practiced in Haiti Rastafari is the Biggest known only Black Religion which the europeeon or Arabs have not given us.

Bob Marley and Peter Tosh were the pioneers who spread the message of Rastafarian world wide, using black genius Reggae music. And for those who grew up on Conscious Reggae music understood

• No mater were You come from If your a Black Man you are a Afrikan
• So Jah say Rasta no join no CIA
• ONeLOVe
• Chase dem crazy bald heads out of town
• Exodus- Movement of Jah people
• Black love
• Get Up Stand Up , Stand up for your Right
• Black Queen
• Ital Food
• Unity is the foundation of survival

I encourage my learned Brothers to add to this list what you have learnt...



In Conclusion

The teaching we got from Rastafari music and messagescould not even begin to explain the depth of OVERSTANDING, I&I received from these enlightened brothers who passed the baton of wisdom and righteousness to me so i can bring it to the next heights.

So my brother You may believe that Rastafari has lost its way, WellIknow Rastafari has achieved a greatness that will never be Forgottenas our journey of putting the pieces together of whoare continues to the next chapter.



Blessed



The Minister