Ask Any Question About the Rastafari Movement!! (Messiah, hell, Revelation)

[CanuckRasta]

Saw the other two threads, might as well join the party!

Hopefully alot of questions.

One
Lij Marques Benjamin

[linwood]

What are the basic philosophical tenents of Rastfarianism?

I have no knowlegde of the religion whatosever.

[Ody]

Are only people of African decsent allowed to become a Rastafari?

[Aqualung]

As I understand it, Jews beleive the Messiah is yet to come, Christians believe he came once, and Rastafarians believe he has already come the second time (in the form of some african king). Is this correct? Do you believe we are now living in the millenial reign of christ?

[Ody]

Correction they don't belief that Selassie (the king you mention) is christ, but is g-d himself Atleast from what i remeber researching on the religion

[CanuckRasta]

Yaah! Questions!

For linwood's question, Haile Selassie a former Emperor of Ethiopia is an extremely important figure, and Africa is the Holy Land. Wow, boiled it down to two points. Oh yeah, oppression is so not good. And our concept of hell is Babylon, and we are living in it.

Alan's question: Do you mean only black people?? In that case I would say no. But in Rastafari, whomever claims their African ancestry, no matter the skin colour, can be Rastafari.

Yes, Aqualung, that is correct to a point. Certain elements of Revelation are considered to have occured. However, the Judgment has not occurred. The coming of Selassie is often seen as a warning type event. That he came to show us what to look for, to prepare us for the Armageddon on oppression.

In some cases Selassie, is seen as Christ. The Twelve Tribes of Israel see him as such. Some see him as God (JAH), and some see him as a mixture of the two.

One Love
CanuckRasta

[angellous_evangellous]

Do Rhastafari use marajauna an element in the sacraments?

from wiki:
"There are two types of Rasta religious ceremonies. A reasoning is a simple event where the Rastas gather; smoke "ganja" (marijuana); and discuss ethical, social and religious issues. The person honored by being allowed to light the herb says a short prayer before doing so, and it is always passed in a clockwise fashion. A binghi or grounation is a holiday; the word binghi is believed to refer originally to an ancient, and now extinct, order of militant blacks in eastern Africa that vowed to end oppression. Binghis are marked by much dancing, singing, feasting and the smoking of ganja, and can last for several days."

[i believe in tranquility]

As i am Ethiopian, I must say that Halie, is nowhere near the Christ portrayed in the New Testemant.

http://history.acusd.edu/gen/text/selassie.html

"The emperor's estate and palace were nationalized and in August, Selassie was directly accused of covering up famine of the early 1970's which killed hundreds of thousands of people."

I dont think Christ would support such an act. I think Christ would do as much as in his power to prevent such events,

[Master Vigil]

I know I asked this before, but I don't remember it ever being resolved. And I suppose alot of new people would like to know as well. Why do Rastas say that Haile Selassie is the like christ or god when he specifically said he wasn't?

[jamaesi]

... Why those cute hats?