>A FEW FACTS ABOUT RATAFARIASM.AND THE
>USE OF THE HERB!
>
>
http://rastajohn.com/tinylion.gif
>
>
>The Rastafarian religion originated in
>Africa. It is often associated with the
>poorer black population of Jamaica. It
>is not just a religion, but a way of
>life. Rastafarians speak out against;
>poverty, oppression and
>inequality.....not just religious ideas
>but global problems. Rastafarians will
>use the Bible for guidence.
>
>The prime basic belief of the
>Rastafarians is that Haile Selassie is
>the living God for the black race.
>Selassie, whose previous name was Ras
>Tafari, was the black Emperor of
>Ethiopia. Rastafarians say scriptures
>prophesised him as the one with "the
>hair of whose head was like wool (the
>matted hair of I black man), whose feet
>were like unto burning brass (I black
>skin)".
>
>Selassie was not a Rastafarian himself.
>He was a devout Christian. In fact, no
>one is really sure what he thought of
>the whole Rastafarian movement. When a
>group of Rastas went to Ethiopia to
>honour him, an official of the palace
>told them to go away! This did not make
>the Rastas question their belief, it
>only made it stronger. God is not
>supposed to know he is God.
>
>When Haile Selassie was reported dead,
>Rastas would not believe it. They
>believed that it was a trick of the
>media to try and bring their faith down.
>Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie
>I has trodded on to the perfect flesh,
>and sits on the highest point of Mount
>Zion where He and Empress Menen await
>the time of judgement.
>
>The Rastafarian name for God is Jah.
>
>The Lion of Judah represents Haile
>Selassie, the Conqueror. It represents
>the King of Kings as a lion is the king
>of all beasts. Selassie wore a Lion of
>Judah ring that was given to Bob Marley
>at the time of Selassie's death.
>
>Babylon is the Rastafarian term for the
>white political power structure that has
>been holding the black race down for
>centuries. In the past, Rasta see that
>blacks were held down physically by the
>shackles of slavery. In the present,
>Rasta feel that blacks are still held
>down through poverty, illiteracy,
>inequality, and trickery by the white
>man. The effort of Rasta is to try to
>remind blacks of their heritage and have
>them stand up against this Babylon.
>
>Ethiopia, specifically, Africa in
>general, is considered the Rastas'
>heaven on earth. There is no afterlife
>or hell as Christianity believes.
>Rasta's believe that Jah will send the
>signal and help the blacks exodus back
>to Ethiopian, their homeland. Any news
>from Ethiopia was taken very seriously
>as a warning to get ready to leave. The
>belief stems from Marcus Garvey's theme,
>"Back to Africa". Although Selassie's
>death came before this was possible, it
>did succeed in turning blacks desire to
>look towards Africa as their roots.
>
>One of the more obvious symbols of the
>Rastafarians are colours. These are red,
>gold, and green. These colours were
>taken from the Garvey movement. The
>colour red stands for the Church
>Triumphant which is the church of the
>Rastas. It also symbolises the blood
>that martyrs have shed in the history of
>the Rastas. The yellow represents the
>wealth of the homeland. Green represents
>the beauty and vegetation of Ethiopia,
>the promised land. Sometimes black is
>used to represent the colour of
>Africans, to whom 98% of the Jamaicans
>are descended
>
>Ganja, is used for religious purposes
>for Rastafarians. Its use is written in
>the Bible in Psalms 104:14, "He causeth
>the grass for the cattle, and herb for
>the service of man". The use of this
>herb is very extensive among the Rastas
>not only for spiritual purposes as in
>their Nyabingi celebration, but also for
>medicinal purposes for colds and such.
>The following are a few of the many
>Biblical texts that Rasta embrace as
>reasons Jah, gave for the use of the
>herb:
>
>
>". . . thou shalt eat the herb of the
>field " (Genesis 3:18)
>
>". . . eat every herb of the land "
>(Exodus 10:12)
>
>
>"Better is a dinner of herb where love
>is, than a stalled ox and hatred
>therewith" (Proverbs 15:17)
>
>The true Rasta eats only I-tal food.
>This is special food never touches
>chemicals or is natural and not in cans.
>This food is cooked, but served in the
>rawest form possible; without salts,
>preservatives, or condiments. Rastas are
>therefore vegetarians. Drinking
>preferences rest with anything that is
>herbal, such as tea. Liquor, milk,
>coffee, and soft drinks are viewed as
>unnatural. The term I-tal food is
>rapidly taking hold in the consumer
>industry in Jamaica.
>
>
>The dreadlocks on a Rasta's head
>symbolises the Rastas roots, contrasting
>the straight, blond look of the white
>man and establishment. It not only shows
>their roots, but it is supported in the
>Bible: Leviticus 21:5, "They shall not
>make baldness upon their head, neither
>shall they shave off the corner of their
>beard, nor make any cuttings in the
>flesh". The way the hair grows comes to
>represent the symbol of the Lion of
>Judah. This has also come to symbolise
>rebellion of the system and the "proper"
>way to wear hair
>
>
http://rastajohn.com/selassie1.jpg
According to my understanding of the word herb, I would not use marijuana coz the Holy Bible says eat all herbs and the hair.....the same Bible in the New Tetsamnet says it is a disgrace for a man to wear long hair.
Jehovah is the only God and Jesus is the way, the truth , and the life . Let it be known ; let the truth set us free. Amen
PRIDE DEMANDS FROM OTHERS WHAT IT WILL NOT DO ITSELF!
RASTAFARIAN RELIGION! -
08-31-2002, 02:01 PM
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