Ask a Dreadman

[Sundance]

Peace from I to all of I and I in the Name of Jah, the Ruler of all creation; His Son, Jesus Christ, Lion of Judah; His Holy Spirit; and His Servant, His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, Ras Tafari! Ask me anything or provide any comments about the livity of Rastaman...Bless I, Jah Rastafari!

 

[BSM1]

You holding any decent ganja?

 

[Sundance]

You holding any decent ganja?

Nah man, I don't smoke, but neither do I pass judgment upon those Dreads who do, seen?

 

[George-ananda]

Can you give us a short overview of what/why you follow?

 

[Sundance]

Can you give us a short overview of what/why you follow?

Sure. As a Rasta, I believe in one God, Jah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth; His Son, Iesus Kristos, the Saviour of all people; His Spirit, which is in the hearts of everyone pointing them to Jah; and His Everliving Servant, through whom His Will is made manifest, Haile Selassie I. Bless I, Jah Rastafari!

 

[George-ananda]

Sure. As a Rasta, I believe in one God, Jah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth; His Son, Iesus Kristos, the Saviour of all people; His Spirit, which is in the hearts of everyone pointing them to Jah; and His Everliving Servant, through whom His Will is made manifest, Haile Selassie I.

That's all good except I question the 'Haile Selassie I' part. I have heard nothing about him to suggest what you ascribe. I think even he was embarrassed by the claim. It seems some people were desirous of an African figure for social and emotional reasons. What do you think?

 

[Father Heathen]

I've heard that Rastafarians hold some rather hostile racial views. Is this true?

 

[Sundance]

That's all good except I question the 'Haile Selassie I' part. I have heard nothing about him to suggest what you ascribe. I think even he was embarrassed by the claim. It seems some people were desirous of an African figure for social and emotional reasons. What do you think?

Well, George, perhaps you're right, because the Emperor did not seek glory for himself, but for Jah. Though, it's funny that you mention that about HIM. It began with Marcus Garvey, who once prophesied that out of Africa an emperor will be crowned, and he shall be the deliverer of black people. Decades later, lo and behold, the last Emperor of Ethiopia was crowned, Haile Selassie I. On the day Emperor visited Jamaica, many people (especially Rastas) were so overjoyed about his coming, they rushed to see him. Everything he taught us as Black people, this was one way (at least, I believe) in which we were delivered. Plus, he also gave Rastas who came to Ethiopia part of the land there, so he was, in a sense, responsible for the repatriation of I and I Rastaman. Other Rastas can tell the stories far more informatively than I. Bless up.

 

[Sundance]

I've heard that Rastafarians hold some rather hostile racial views. Is this true?

Unfortunately, Father Heathen, there are Rastas who do hold beliefs that are racially hostile, this being because I and I as Black people have, indeed, been downpressed as a people by White people. Though, by and large, I and I believe that Jah created all people, of every colour, language, ethnicity, and religion, in His Image, which was emphasized by the Emperor himself during his Incarnation. Plus, there are I and I of various ethnicities and colours. Bless I, Jah Ras Tafari!

 

[George-ananda]

and he shall be the deliverer of black people.

My problem is that this religion focuses too much on racial identity which is not healthy for a path that is trying to promote spirituality.

 

[Sundance]

My problem is that this religion focuses too much on racial identity which is not healthy for a path that is trying to promote spirituality.

I overstand what you're saying, George, but I and I as Rastas recognize that the dread of Jah knows no difference in colour, ethnicity, or nationality, seen?

 

[George-ananda]

I overstand what you're saying, George, but I and I as Rastas recognize that the dread of Jah knows no difference in colour, ethnicity, or nationality, seen?

What does 'the dread of Jah' mean?

 

[Sundance]

What does 'the dread of Jah' mean?

The fear of the LORD....

 

[BSM1]

The fear of the LORD....

So what does fearing the Lord mean to you?

 

[George-ananda]

The fear of the LORD....

Don't you think a religious philosophy that emphasizes 'love' and not 'fear' is a more advanced philosophy?

 

[Sees]

Is Bob Marley still looked upon favourably?

 

[Sundance]

Don't you think a religious philosophy that emphasizes 'love' and not 'fear' is a more advanced philosophy?

No, you mis-overstand I, George. “Fear” in the context described does not mean “to be afraid”, rather it means “love, raspect, admiration, devotion to Almighty Jah”, seen?

 

[Sundance]

So what does fearing the Lord mean to you?

Good question, BSM1. The fear of Jah means to live in ways that align with His Will and follow His Laws.

 

[Sundance]

Is Bob Marley still looked upon favourably?

Many of I and I raspect Bob. Though, he is not the only reggae musician who lived the life of a devout Ras, you overstand?

 

[Milton Platt]

Peace from I to all of I and I in the Name of Jah, the Ruler of all creation; His Son, Jesus Christ, Lion of Judah; His Holy Spirit; and His Servant, His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, Ras Tafari! Ask me anything or provide any comments about the livity of Rastaman...Bless I, Jah Rastafari!

Okay, just because I am bored, I will bite. Provide empirical, testable, falsifiable evidence that there is anything to what you believe.