Rastafarianism -Cult or Religion?
...role of king on earth. Hebrews Chapter7:14 says, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda.” One of Haile Selassie’s inherited tiles was, “Conquering Lion of The Tribe of Juda.” In the Book of Revelations, Chapter 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is King of Kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” So Selassie met a lot of the criteria mentioned throughout the Bible as being characteristic of the Messiah. This coupled with the prediction made by Marcus Garvey, convinced a lot of people that Haile Selassie I was indeed the One sent to unite them, and lead them back to Paradise (Eden, Ethiopia). Haile Selassie never actually admitted or denied that he was the Messiah. Rastafarians think this is irrelevant, because he was not here to judge, only to show the way. When Haile Selassie died in 1975, many Christians were only too happy to point out that he had died, just like a man, so the “God” that Rastafarians worship could not be God, because God can not die. Rastafarians argue that the Jesus Christ that we read about in the Bible was just a man, and that he died. They also argue that they do not believe Haile Selassie was God in the true sense of the word. They believe he was sent to save the world, but that God is a spiritual being. Rastafarians refer to God as Jah, short for Jahweh. Revelations Chapter 17:5 says, “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Rastafarians refer to anything negative, un-rastafarian, pro-establishment as being out of Babylon. Policemen are Babylonians. Many Christians are Babylonians, and the Catholic church is at the very heart of Babylon. Mussolini, who invaded Ethiopia in an attempt to take over, was out of Italy, the home of the Pope. While I found nothing to suggest that the Catholic Church actually endorsed this move, I found nothing to suggest that it (the church) discouraged this move either. The Pope is believed to be the anti-christ itself. 1 John 4:2-3 goes as follows: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of an anti-christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. This, the Rastafarian believes, warns us about the antichrist and non believers. Since Haile Selassie is Christ reincarnate, then those who do not believe in him are of the same category as those who did not believe Jesus Christ was of God. Ephesians Chapter 6:12 warns against “spiritual wickedness in high places.” This is thought to be a direct reference to the Pope, as he is a very powerful man. Rastafarians refer to Christianity as “sky-gazing” because Christians believe in getting their just rewards after death. They believe “sky-gazing” was developed specifically to deceive the black man, after and during slavery. Ras12 believes heaven is here on earth, and whatever we do as we go along determines where we are. If we do right, then we live a long, happy life. If not, then we don’t, and our lives here on earth become hellish. Because of this belief, true Rastafarians live a very clean, structured, healthy life. Ratafarians do not eat meat, poultry or scaleless fish. All meats are referred to as dead flesh, and it is considered very unhealthy to put dead flesh inside the body. Salt is avoided at all costs. All meals are ital (the Rastafarian word for “natural”) meaning they are pure fruits and vegetables straight from Mother Earth, 100% salt free. This avoidance of salt dates back to an ancient belief of the Bakongo tribe of Africa that salt excludes the spirit. Slaves who ingested salt would never be able to return to Africa some day.2 In Jamaica to this day if one is considered unlucky, he is referred to as being “salt.” Rastafarians are generally hard workers, whether it be at physical labor (like farming), or non physical labor (musicians). They prefer to travel on foot, except where the distances are excessive. They shun traditional marriage, and traditional doctors. They have many home remedies for common and some not-so-common ailments. A woman who was ill with cancer of the womb was given up on by doctors, and was sent home, basically to die. For three months she drank the juice of serasi (a bitter-tasting vine-like plant) every day. She went back to the doctor for a check up and was found to be cured. There was no medical reason for the miraculous cure. For colds, guinea grass root and Spanish needles are boiled and the mixture drunk. For gonorrhea, a paste of counter flour, gin and laxatives is applied until the symptoms clear. For hayfever, soak green ganja (marijuana) in white rum, add a half dozen pimento seeds, and steep for nine days. Take at least a teaspoon before bed. For colds brought on from overexposure, steam the above mixture over hot water, get naked, inhale the fumes, and then rub mixture all over the body. These are just a few examples of some of the home remedies used by Rastafarians. Another popular Rastafarian feature is the hair. Numbers 6:5, says, And all the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself from the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of his hair grow. Rastafarians do not believe in cutting the hair, as strength lies within the hair. The story of Samson and Delilah as told in Judges Chapter 16 verifies this belief. Not only does one become weak by cutting the hair, it is morally wrong to do according to Leviticus 21:5. “They shall not make baldness upon their head…” Rastas do not comb their hair either, and there are different theories about why it is uncombed. One theory is that they do so in imitation of the fierce Masai warriors of Africa, another theory is that it is done in imitation of the lion’s mane (the Conquering Lion of Juda). It is also believed that they want to stand out from the “baldheads” (non-Rastas). Whatever the reason is behind their hair, it has impacted the world. Non-Rastafarians everywhere have adopted “dreadlocks” to the point where it has become a fad. This religion has even developed its own set of colors. The Colors, as they are called, are the colors in the Ethiopian flag (red, green and gold). The fact that there are three colors is no coincidence. Each color represents a phase in the three phases of the Holy Trinity10. Red - The Father, with fire, lightning and brimstone talking to Moses in wrath. Gold - Jesus, the Lamb, facing temptations and tribulations. Green - The Conquering Lion, Haile Selassie I (Power of Trinity), who holds the key to life. These colors have also caught fire worldwide....