Rastafari

Beliefs of Rastafari

• Promote love and respect for all living things and emphasize the paramount importance of human dignity and self-respect
• Freedom of spiritual, psychological, and physical slavery and oppression
• Be loyal to the vision of Zion, and reject modern society (Babylon)
• Individual apprehension of Jah (god)
• Ganja is a sacrament that aids in the discovery of
• Live life as pure as possible, avoid vices and materialistic desires
• Haile Selassie is the living incarnate of God
• The natural body is not to be tampered with.
• The goal in life is to become one with God achieve eternal physical life

History- Rastafari started through the history of, as Bob Marley put it, "resisting against the system. Marcus Garvey was seen as a prophet to Rastas, many even started out as Garveyites. Even though Garvey had a large amount to do with the development of Rastafari, he never identified himself within the movement. Emperor Haile Selassie I, whom some of the Rastafarians call Jah, was crowned "King of Kings, Elect of God, and Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah." He was almost immediately proclaimed God and King amongst poor Jamaicans, who came to be known as Rastafarians. The Rastas looked to their Bibles and saw what they perceived as many prophecies being fulfilled. In 1966, Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica and was greeted with much enthusiasm. It was told that God was coming to visit them. This was significant because for the first time, Rastas were given a little respect. By gaining this respect, it opened the doors of advertising reggae and furthering the global spreading of Rastafari. Heaven- I am not positive, but I believe that Rastas do not believe in an afterlife. The belief that you can live forever in your current physical body is very strong. Although, Africa in general, more specifically Ethiopia, is considered the Rasta's "Heaven on Earth." Major Leaders/ Prophets- Major leaders and prophets of the Rastas are Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie I. Bob Marley is also a very well-known and important Rasta. He was not a leader, but many people look to him as the person who spread Reggae music and Rastafari to the rest of the world. Sacred Times in a Year- April 21- Grounation Day (Haile Selassie visits) Location of Most Followers- Most of the 600 thousand followers reside in the country of Jamaica,and also in the other caribbean islands. This is because that is where The Rastafari Movement was formed. Number of Followers- There is anywhere from about 600,000 to 700,000 religious followers world wide of Rastafari. There may be over 2 million, though, if you include those who live the lifestyle but not the faith. Split in Denominations- There has been no split in denominations of Rastafari unless you say that Rastafari split from African religions. I would not say this though because it is its own religion composed by those who follow it.

Rastafari Websites

The Afrocentric Experience: Rastafari
Saxakali- Rastafari
Alternative Religions: Rastafari
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Rastafari compared and contrasted to Judaism