Rastafarianism...

[The Children of the Revolution]

I have been reading up on Rastafarianism in an attempt to develop my "spiritual knowledge".

But I admit to intense confusion; I have no idea where to start.

I have seen many members with "Rasta" in their names; "Rasta Sapien" and "Rastafari" being two...
Please, you guys, explain the basic ideas behind it all!

[A key theme seems to be that of black freedom from repression* - does this exclude whiteys from participation??]


* A great idea, don't get me wrong!!

[Solace]

The movement started in Jamaica around the 30s. Rastafarists (?) believe that Ras Tafari (Ethiopian figure) is the incarnation of God on Earth. Rastafarism shares many characteristics with Christianity and Judaism. They mainly seek for the return of the blacks in Africa I think.

Dreadlocks. Reggae. Marijuana. :P

Well, you got a start there. Others will do a better job.


[A key theme seems to be that of black freedom from repression* - does this exclude whiteys from participation??]

Garvey, another leader of the movement, once contacted people from the Kul Kulx Klan to help him prepare the &#39;Black&#39;s return to Africa. Way to go. <_<

[CommunistRob]

It doesn&#39;t exclude whites from participation but it doesn&#39;t really make sense for them to participate.

[the SovieT]

Originally posted by [email protected] 9 2004, 05:02 PM
It doesn&#39;t exclude whites from participation but it doesn&#39;t really make sense for them to participate.
why shouldnt we (as "whites") participate?



· Can a white man be a rastafarian?

A Rasta can be any color, and most Rasta&#39;s don&#39;t hold predijudice against their Rasta bredren.





about the thread:

"Rastafarians live a peaceful life, needing little material possessions and devote much time to contemplating the scriptures. They reject the white man&#39;s world, as the new age Babylon of greed and dishonesty. Proud and confident Rastas even though they are humble will stand up for their rights. Rastas let their hair grow natually into dreadlocks, in the image of the lion of Judah. Six out of ten Jamaicans are believed to be Rastafarians or Rastafarian sympathizers. The total following is believed to be over 1,000,000 worldwide. 1975 to the present has been the period of the most phenomenal growth for the Rastafarian Movement. This growth is largely attributed to Bob Marley, reggae artist, and the worldwide acceptance of reggae as an avenue of Rastafarian self-expression. Marley became a prophet of Rastafarianism in 1975. The movement spread quickly in the Caribbean and was hugely attractive to the local black youths, many of whom saw it as an extension of their adolescent rebellion from school and parental authority. With it came some undesirable elements, but all true Rastas signify peace and pride and righteousness."

[The Children of the Revolution]

They reject the white man&#39;s world...


:unsure:

Ok, thanks for the above, but what exactly does the "scripture" promote? Is it basically another fear-God type religion (Judaism/Christianity/Islam) or is it completely different?

Some of Bob Marley&#39;s lyrics suggest strange things...

[Ortega]

As for White Rastas, I saw plenty of them last summer in Belize. There&#39;s no problem with being a White Rasta.

And as for the main topic of the thread, there was a good thread about this same thing not too long ago, I&#39;d find it for you if my computer wasn&#39;t so slow.

Here&#39;s a link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarianism) for you.

[Pingu]

Ethiopia is the promised land for rastas because it was never occupied by white men, right?

[The Children of the Revolution]

Huh? What about the fascist Itallians just before the outbreak of WWII??

I think they&#39;re as white as anyone...

Damn Mussolini.

[Ortega]

Past threads on Rastafarianism :

Rastafarianism (http://www.che-lives.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=23&t=19008&hl=rastafarianism)

More Rastafarianism (http://www.che-lives.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=23&t=18686&hl=rastafarianism)

Even More Rastafarianism&#33; (http://www.che-lives.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=4&t=17862&hl=rastafarianism)

:redstar2000:

[the SovieT]

Rastafarianism is basicly a anti-colonialist/exploitation movement...



As many Rastafaris say, the important isnt the cult, the dogma of the all high lord said so or anything like that..
but the spreading of good vibrations, the meditation and positive thinking...

The search for truth and inner peace is more important than any cult or tradition...

what is also important is the cultural hereditage, whatever it may be, it is important for each and everyone of us to absorve the good points of our cultural hereditage and propagate them, be proud of them...


It is also important to remeber one&#39;s roots...
Pride is the word....

[j.guevara]

They worship Halle Sellassie I (Ras Tafari) as the reincarnation of christ as predicted in the bible. They believe the story of the jews exodus is about their departure and later return to Africa.

[Individual]

What&#39;s funny...

None of the members containing the word "Rasta" in their name have replied.

[mia wallace]

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2004, 06:03 AM
Dreadlocks. Reggae. Marijuana. :P
yeah... rastas rock da house:)

:redstar2000:

[Rasta Sapian]

I&#39;ve been to this same thread before? de ja vu? No i am not high........now......later yes
smoking my erb, a rastaman will smoke alot of erb mon, giving thanks and praise to jah, jah knows all&#33;
Rastaman commit no sin, living the rightious life, to be at one with the earth.

A bushdoctor know a little bout love, for women, for mankind, and all life

[Rasta Sapian]

there is no membership, no social meetings man, a bushdoctor will seek solitude, giving thanks and paise to jah, smoking erb, reggae music sound so sweet, can u feel the beat?

[Hiero]

I was wacthing a video on bob marly andf he was talking about the white hippies in london getting down with the wilors and reggae and he siad thats rasta.

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

Rastafarianism is, well in my opinion very deep.

You have to understand that a religion developed in resentment toward colonisation is a remarkable feat. In my opinion, people just seem to overlook the seriousness the religion produces.

I&#39;ll be the first to say that H.I.M. Haille Selassie wasnt the best leader, but Rastafarianism has very deep roots and a stable belief system.

Bob Marley is a good representation of rastafarianism, but there are many more, Capelton for one.

[SittingBull47]

Originally posted by the SovieT+Feb 10 2004, 05:33 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (the SovieT @ Feb 10 2004, 05:33 PM)
[email protected] 9 2004, 05:02 PM
It doesn&#39;t exclude whites from participation but it doesn&#39;t really make sense for them to participate.
why shouldnt we (as "whites") participate?



· Can a white man be a rastafarian?

A Rasta can be any color, and most Rasta&#39;s don&#39;t hold predijudice against their Rasta bredren.





about the thread:

"Rastafarians live a peaceful life, needing little material possessions and devote much time to contemplating the scriptures. They reject the white man&#39;s world, as the new age Babylon of greed and dishonesty. Proud and confident Rastas even though they are humble will stand up for their rights. Rastas let their hair grow natually into dreadlocks, in the image of the lion of Judah. Six out of ten Jamaicans are believed to be Rastafarians or Rastafarian sympathizers. The total following is believed to be over 1,000,000 worldwide. 1975 to the present has been the period of the most phenomenal growth for the Rastafarian Movement. This growth is largely attributed to Bob Marley, reggae artist, and the worldwide acceptance of reggae as an avenue of Rastafarian self-expression. Marley became a prophet of Rastafarianism in 1975. The movement spread quickly in the Caribbean and was hugely attractive to the local black youths, many of whom saw it as an extension of their adolescent rebellion from school and parental authority. With it came some undesirable elements, but all true Rastas signify peace and pride and righteousness." [/b]


Hey, if the whites want to participate and fight for the cause of their brothers for Africa, then it makes perfect sense to participate. I&#39;m not gay, but I&#39;ll fight for their rights. I&#39;m not an immigrant, but I&#39;ll fight for their rights, and I&#39;m not black, but you know I&#39;ll fight for their rights.

[Fidel Castro]

I&#39;m rather interested in Rastafarianism, can anyone recommend any books on the subject?

"Exodus&#33; Movement of jah people"

"The road of life is rocky, and you may stumble too, so why be pointing fingers, cause someone else is judging you"

"One love, one heart, lets get together and feel alright, give thanks and praise to the lord and I will feel alright&#33;"

Damn Bob Marley is great&#33;&#33;&#33;