I have recently been reading about the rastafarian relegion and i was just wondering if it also applys to white men, or is it a discrace to be of rasta when white
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I have recently been reading about the rastafarian relegion and i was just wondering if it also applys to white men, or is it a discrace to be of rasta when white
i am not a rasta but have studied the religion a bit for school papers and for personal interest. from my understanding if a rasta were to see it as a disgrace then it would be just as hypocritical as christians who gay-bash and hate.
This is a very good question. I am white and became interested in Rastafarianism. What I have concluded on my search is that Emperor Haile Selassie I was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. It is important to understand this is who Rastas view as God incarnate. Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica stemming from Marcus Garvey's prophecies of a "Black Messiah" rising up in Africa. Leonard Howell continued on these teachings and asserted that Haile Selassie was the messiah, Howell was the primary founder of Rastafarianism, simply because Garvey was a devout Christian who did not condone this new religous movement. Howell taught primarily black superiority, hatred of the wicked, and that Emperor Haile Selassie is God. Selassie denied he was God incarnate, and stated the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven is through Jesus the Christ. The long and short of it, Selassie was a Christian who taught equality,and Christianity. In fact he commisioned Archbishop Abuna Yesehaq to personally go to Jamaica and start a Christian church there. This was the same man who baptized Bob Marley in New York. Bob Marley died a Christian. This is clear because his funeral was in an Ethiopian Orthodox Church, that does not allow processions for non-members, and Rita recalls that Bob Marley's last words were "Jesus take me". I wouldn't say it is as important to put yourself under a title as Rasta. Jesus said to his followers "Worship in spirit and in truth" and because Jesus fulfilled over 360 prophecies, 109 of which he actually had control over. I find that the evidence for Jesus as Messiah is much stronger than the case for Haile Selassie, but I see Haile Selassie as a Godly king in hard times (when Mussolini invaded Ethiopia ).Hope this helps and Jah bless
here are some Messianic prophecies
Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus Christ
I remmeber reading a website that explained this question very well. Search google a little bit to try to find that site. From what I remember modern rastafarians can be white as long as they recognize jah as god. or something like that.
To be a rastafarian you would have to recognize Emperor Haile Selassie or Ras (head or cheif) Tafari Makonnen as God.
good posts herbman
Haile Selassie I
"That Until The Philosophy That Holds One Race Superior And Another Inferior Is Finally And Permanently Discredited And Abandoned : And Until That Day.... Everywhere There is War"
this is a question i have asked in here...
i think it depends on the person really...i am not rasta myself, but i have read a lot about it...ha....and it seems to me that some dont want white people to be rasta and say they cant, and are very outspoken about the white race...i have found other rastas to feel that it is their duty as a rasta to welcome and love all races....
just do you man....doesnt matter what anyone else thinks.....
good luck..
princess
Bob Marley was half white I think.
I follow the teachings of the Rasta and the lost bibles of Thomas, Philip, Gospal of the Egyptians or the Gnostic Bibles. I am a white man I strongly belive Jesus was a black man.
Praise Jah
I was a Rasta at one time, but am not any longer. I made a personal decision that it was better to leave it to actual descendants of the Middle Passage. While nobody has a monopoly on God, I believe there is a cultural aspect to Rastafari that should be maintained. It is a religion of African suffering and I feel it is downgraded by people like me who were not stolen from Africa.Quote:
Originally Posted by devlore
I have found it more beneficial to come from my own background than to infiltrate. You have to remember that rastas are very on the guard about outsiders. The persecutions and murders continue to this day in Jamaica and elsewhere. This is not a fanciful religion of smoking dope and looking at the ocean. This is a religion formed by oppression, slavery, and murder...built upon the Ethiopian Orthodox Church--the most rich and valid branch of the Christian Church in the World.
There are many schools of Rasta Bredrin...but what is important to the majority of them is that in order to be a Rasta you must follow the law of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I...which in turn demands that one follow the Bible, therefore, as long as you are comfortable worshipping Jesus, you may be consider yourself a Rastafarian...and it does not matter what color Jesus was, if he even existed. As a white person you should be able to find yourself worthy of any religion, just as any black person would. If somebody will not let you into their religion based on physical attributes, then it is not a religion dealing with the worship of God, but a club based on fashion.
Good summation by Exodus Herbman...but watch out for that ISM on the end or the rasta elders will put a fire on you! Kidding...
Read a lot and talk to Rastas even more. Many of them will not be true rastas, but it is for you to decide. The true one's will all tell you that it is a personal thing. Every rasta must walk a unique path of worship. There is not a church hierarchy like many other religions. If you are in the reading mode: The First Rasta is a Good starting point. It is the Biography of Leonard P. Howell. I can reccommend many books, and if you have any other questions, I will be happy to answer them.
My homeboys, these are elders im talking about, are from the virgin islands, (im moorish american by the way it sounds better than african american or black, because black represents death, were(ethiopic descendants) various shades of brown), anyway they told me His imperial Majesty's priciple ( soul) is what is divine, just like all humans. there is one Supersoul and all other souls are part and parcels of that one soul, simultaneously one and diffrent.there is the changing and the unchanged, the body changes from baby to child to teenager to adult to old man, and at death changes to a new body if one is not liberated. the soul or ParaAtman or Jah is eternal and cannot die. So is His imperial majesty (body)dead? yes . Is his priciple (soul)? No. thats why true Ras Tafaris worship the principle (soul) and not the personality ( body) which just gave the teachings. SEEEEN!!! read bhagavad Gita it has alot to do with Ras Tafari. Also im not Rasta. Peace.
Originally, the religion founded was to unite the african people against western imperialisation and their governing bodies and laws (babylon) Haile Selassie 1 does NOT condone racism of any kind, what so ever. It is perfectly acceptable for a white person to follow the Rastafari movement.Quote:
Originally Posted by devlore
I'm forever avoiding these threads but always end up stopping in, and this energy drink got me typing like a damn receptionist today...
While Selassie I speech say without equality there can only be war, Prince Emanuel was about Black Supremacy, and a lot of those dudes on Bobo Hill who have lived their lives surrounded by nothing but Africans won't accept a white Rasta. Where as here in the states where I live our ghettos are diverse, Blacks, Asians, whites, Europeans, Arabic, etc., so when Rasta see me it isn't "no white Rasta" it is always "yes lion" "yes mi lord", my struggle was no different than the next man's. It pisses me off that the sect of Rastas that is the most organized to the point of having a government and priests seems like they don't want to move forward and accept that the only thing that can kill hatred is love.
True, people can come on the internet and claim ties to Bobo Hill and spread their own ignorance around like a plague and that don't mean a thing, this is the internet, religion has no place here or little significance when it comes to anonymously preaching, not to mention, yo your on a computer, ya trying to tell me ya live in a grass hut on the Bay? I'm lucky to be in a situation where I can have a computer and internet, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for hand outs, but that isn't the case with everyone so I am overly suspicious of everyone on the internet.
Yes,
Ethiopia IS the Garden of Eden,
Adam and Eve were Africans,
But I don't see how holding one race supreme over another is going to further anything besides ignorance, the thing we are supposed to be fighting against, and I'm not going to put Prince Emanuel before Jah! Love who you are, and who your people are, but don't hold yourself above another is my idea of how things should be.
::disclaimer:: this post was fueled by caffeine ::disclaimer::
First, Rasta is NOT a religion... ISMS create SCHISMS and as such Rastas specifically refrain from calling their beliefs/movement a "religion".Quote:
Originally Posted by Reefer Rogue
Second, as Tea Party pointed out there are many houses of Rasta. For example TTI (Twelve Tribes of Isreal) Rastas do allow whites while many of the more fundamentalist rasta houses like the Nyabinghi frown on it.
I've never met a true Rasta who would be upset by a white man trying to live a spiritual/Rasta way of life... but to call one self a Rasta whitout having to endure the I-story of it is (I thing) sacriligous.
I believe it is OK for a white person to "follow the Rastafari " as you so aptly put it... but NOT OK for a white man to call him/herself a Rasta. I am a follower of Rasta livity and live as close to the lifestyle as InI can here in Babylon. Even though I was given the name Ras Bardhylis by a couple Rasta brothers after saving their lives when their boat sank, I do not and would not call I-self a Rasta as I see it as stealing their culture. Besides who cares wat you "call" yourself... just be good and be true and don't worry about what label you put on yourself.
Here is the beginning of an article InI wrote some time ago... also a link to some postings by some Rasta brethren & sistren.
What are the Rasta beliefs... and can white people be Ratsas ?
Posted by: Ras Bardhylis (aka Capt Jim)
Raspects and Greetings brethren & sistren in the name of Jah (God) almighty, His Son Jezu Kristy (Iyesus Kristos, Jesus Christ) and His Imperial Majesty Haille Selassie I.
I lavdëruar qoftë Zoti. (Praise be to Jah),
This question a subject that has raged on an on in other Rasta reasoning rooms for quite some time. I like to think of myself an Albanian I-merican follower of Rasta livity (but do Not call myself a Rasta for reasons you'll soon overstand). Rasta is not something you wake up one day and say "I'm a Rasta" or "I wanna be a Rasta" or "I'm gonna convert to Rasta". It's something you feel... something that calls to you & comes over you... something you are constantly striving to achieve, always a work in progress. I have ALWAYS been a Rasta at heart... always had "the positive vibrations", just didn't know what it was until my friend turned me on to Bob Marley in 1973. Since then, as I said, it's been a slow progression... a constant learning curve. I wasted many years and have done many wrongs in the eyes of Jah... only in 1990 beginning getting truely serious about Rasta livity. It is defItely NOT something you do to smoke weed, grow dreads, listen to reggae or just be different!
clicky clicky... AQUA SHACK
Peace Out & Jah bless all His Idren
Good post but why isn't it a religion? What does that have to do with scisms? I thought it was a religion and philosophy. Every rasta must follow their own path. InI nah expect to be justify by the laws of man or man, I praise Jah, not the downpressor man. So if you are bull bukka, lemme tell ya this, i'm a duppy conqueror :rasta:
'Rasta, or the Rastafari movement, is a religion that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, whom they call Jah.'
Rastafari movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I think too many people assume white people are just trying to be cool or trying to be a Rasta to smoke weed but that's not how it is at all for me and probably a lot of people. It's what i feel in my heart, true say.
I know InI don't say Rastafarianism.
Because man creates religions. Jah don't need no single religion. Jah needs no big churches, mosques or whatever. Jah is everywhere and in all things.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reefer Rogue
And what does religions have to do with schisms??? Take a look at the world today and all the war. Most all the major conflicts/wars going on now have their roots in religion. The powers that be use religion to turn us against each other.
Also don't believe everything you read in wikipedia... Peace Out brothers & sistas!
Ras Bardhylis
ps: Reefer Rogue... my wife is fron the Hague!
Awesome, i live in London currently but i'm moving to the Netherlands by next september i hope. Thanks for that explanation, i shall never call it a religion again, just my way of life. I overstand the livication to Jah and i will try my best to live in peace and Inity. I'm not allowed to grow my hair long or my beard rite now because of my job (babylon lol) so rite now i am a bald head. However, Jah is in my heart, i shall keep the faith, and tread without my dreads for now. The time will come for my spiritual journey of livication, that time will be when i move to the Netherlands so i can fully fulfill my spirituality. I am now trying my best to uphold an Ital diet also, a FEELING has overwhelmed me. I'm on this earth to give Jah praise and all i ask is for longer days.
After days of reasoning and pondering, i have come to the conclusion that i have the utmost respect for anyone who is a Rasta. However, i feel more comfortable believing in Jesus Christ and being a Christian. I love reggae music, i love cannabis, but i can't personally believe that Haile Selassie is God incarnate and i can't follow an Ital diet because i like meat. I shall not be a hypocrit and i shall not degrade the philosophy. Instead, i shall follow my own path and seek my own truth and continue to listen to Peter Tosh and Bob Marley as much as i can. Jah bless and one love.
Bless up, Reefer Rogue! Not being a hypocrite is the what it is all about! Do not walk in the footsteps of the elders; seek what they sought and teach what they taught!:thumbsup: It is so difficult...but on we trod....Quote:
Originally Posted by Reefer Rogue
I know the concept of Rasta is righteousness. I think it would be disrespectful to attemp to claim that I am an Iman. Disrespectful to those from the original and founding mansions who actually faced the true oppression of babylon. I am that I am. There are lots of guys who wear dreadlocks who is one million miles away from rasta, they are like night to day. Seen. I shall not be a wolf. I believe i was created by a Ras Tafari. So I have respect and praise.
Truth. I feel like I am closer to rasta in my heart since I cut the locks and the beard off. Sometimes we get distracted by the physical trappings and lose the core of the elders' teachings. Even in Buddhism, where we throw everything away from the start, the throwing away is often materialized by practitioners (me included). Anything can be sold except the what goes unseen. Constant vigilance is necessary. Babylon is all around, even in the middle of a desert, or a rainforest, or on a mountain peak. The mind is always open to its dangers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reefer Rogue
I just wanted to add in that, You CANNOT "become" a rasta, and this is a very strong point. Rasta's have a firm belief that you are either a rasta from birth or not a rasta at all, its how long it take you to grow up seen? Rasta is about righteousness, love, wisdom and overstanding so to say that there could be no white rastaman is bullshit i say, words from the shitstem trying to lead you astray aka the devil in disguise
If one can't become a rasta, in your view, what hope would there be for someone who isn't rasta?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rastaman292
There is hope for everone seen? If you see the light and know the truth and Jah in your heart and you live a righteous then what is the difference between you and I seen? "religion" is created by the shitstem to devide all Jah's children seen? I&I have no right to judge any man apon the earth for when that day comes Jah will judge seen? Live clean, let your works be seen. hope that helps.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hardcore Newbie
Blaze up!:rastasmoke:
So in your view, if you're able to see this light, then you've always been rasta, correct?
an aside... I love "seen", much better than "you understand?", and much more fun :)
hello again my brother. lets keep things simple seen? do you grow plants my friend? in particular herb? If you know much about herb, you will know that a plants first cycle in life is veg and there are no buds at all but when it begins to flower it reveals that it is a female by producing white pistols. When you planted this seed Jah gave you the gift of this herb plant and it was a female the whole time seen? In veg state theres no way to tell if its male or female, but you are what you are seen? Its just how long it take you to grow up, and flower persay, but the potential was there the whole time seen? So if you know and dont "believe" that you are a rastaman then who is to judge? i dont know if that makes sense to you but i hope it helps. Seek deep inside, the truth is out there, listen for it when you hear the wind blowing....
Cool way of explaining it. I appreciate the effort bro! Now how to hermies play into all of this? :p