The word “Rastafarianism” often calls to mind the stereotypical images of dreadlocks (long braids or natural locks of hair), ganja (marijuana), the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, and the reggae rhythms of Bob Marley. Rastafarians have no universally acknowledged leaders, no universally agreed-upon defining principles. It is a black consciousness movement—Afro-Caribbean—and there is a split between the religion and its accompanying social consciousness, so people can appreciate what Rastas are trying to do socially while not embracing the religion.
The movement takes its name from the title “Ras Tafari.” In the Ethiopian (Amharic) language, ras means “head,” “prince,” or “field marshal,” and tafari means “to be feared.” Within the system of Rastafarianism, the term is a reference most particularly to Ras Tafari Makonnen (1892–1975), who became the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I (his Christian baptismal name) upon his coronation in 1930, when Selassie was lauded with the title “Lion of Judah, Elect of God, King of Kings.” This sent a shock wave through Afro-Caribbean culture. In the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, preachers like Joseph Hibbert started declaring that Haile Selassie was the long awaited Messiah, the second coming of Christ. Thus was born one track of Rastafari, which looked to Selassie as the living God and black messiah who would overthrow the existing order and usher in a reign of blacks.
Another track of Rasta has sprung up alongside the messianic track. This group traces its roots to Leonard Percival Howell and has definite Hindu elements. Sometime in the early- to mid-1930s, Howell produced a 14-page pamphlet, “The Promised Key,” which laid the groundwork for a second track within Rastafarianism influenced by Hinduism and Rosicrucianism. Many of the leaders in this track have also been Freemasons. The result has been a sort of Rastafarian pantheism that looks for “the Lion Spirit in each of us: the Christ spirit.”
A summary of Rastafarian theology, as evidenced in the pantheistic track: the belief that “God is man and man is God”; that salvation is earthly; that human beings are called to celebrate and protect life; that the spoken word, as a manifestation of the divine presence and power, can both create and bring destruction; that sin is both personal and corporate; and that Rasta brethren are the chosen people to manifest God’s power and promote peace in the world.
Both tracks of Rasta are in direct contrast to the revealed Word of God in the Bible. First, Haile Selassie is not the Messiah. Those who worship him as such worship a false god. There is only one King of Kings, one Lion of Judah, and that is Jesus Christ (see Revelation 5:5; 19:16), who will return in the future to set up His earthly kingdom. Preceding His coming, there will be a great tribulation, after which the whole world will see Jesus “coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and great glory” (see Matthew 24:29-31). Haile Selassie was a man and, like all men, he was born, he lived, and he died. Jesus Christ, the true Messiah, is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:12).
The pantheistic track of Rasta is equally false and based on the same lie that Satan has been telling mankind since the garden of Eden: “you will be as God” (Genesis 3:4). There is one God, not many, and although believers do possess the indwelling Holy Spirit and we do belong to God, we are not God. “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me” (Isaiah 46:9). Furthermore, salvation is not earthly, another anti-scriptural, “salvation by works” idea. No amount of earthly works or good deeds can make us acceptable to a holy and perfect God, which is why He sent His holy and perfect Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Finally, Rastafarians are not the chosen people of God. Scripture is clear that the Jews are God’s chosen people and that He has not yet completed His plan for their redemption (Exodus 6:7; Leviticus 26:12; Romans 11:25-27).
Hello Michael! This is an excellent post, my friend. I truly enjoyed reading it. FYI. I am a Jamaican.
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Thank you, Noel. I am so pleased you enjoyed the read. I hope you found all to be factual and complete. I would never have guessed you were Jamaican. Why am I just finding this out, my friend? (smiling) I have always wanted to visit Jamaica. I find many of the aspects, concerning the Island, intriguing and somewhat mystical by nature.
Have you lived there, or; do you still reside there, Noel? You will have to send me information on the Island. I would love hearing more (on a personal level) much more.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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You were right on the money, Michael. You have covered all the significant bases. No, I no longer reside there. However, I still keep in touch and visit when I can.
Jamaica is a beautiful Island, with a rich history, but it has its faults. Poverty, crime and violence walk hand in had.
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I have heard many tales of, and from, the island. Again these were tales but I often felt there was a sinister aspect about the past and present Jamaica. I would, nonetheless, still enjoy a visit there one day.
Thanks, Noel, for sharing with me.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you, and yours, now and forever.
Your Friend;
Michael
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very biased and intellectually dishonest piece. or just simply ignorant, which is still no excuse at attacking something you clearly do not understand
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I respect your view, however, you make no referral as to why it is “intellectually dishonest.” I wish you would clarify your statements. Please do so.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and keep you.
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-Where is the dishonesty? There appears to be no attack on rastas, I for one actually have long appreciated the Wailers, as music is not the only identity a people have.
I am not fond of the Mormon faith, but I know some good Mormons. Perhaps you should revisit your own biases.
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