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