How Do Rastafarians Pray?

With roughly a million adherents spread around the world, Rastafarianism is a branch of Christianity with roots in Africa. Rastas are known for their dreadlocks, a hairstyle inspired by the Bible, and also follow a special dietary code that shuns meat and alcohol in favor of fruits and vegetables. Prayer may take many forms in the Rastafarian faith and often involves music.

 

About Rastafarianism

Rastafarianism is based on the belief that Haile Selassie I, who was the king of Ethiopia from 1917 to 1930, is an incarnation of God. Followers of the religion believe Selassie will return and give Africa back to black people, who lost their land due to slavery and colonization. Like other Christians, Rastas revere the Bible as their main holy text and many aspects of their faith and lifestyle are inspired by its passages.

 

Rastafarian Prayer and Marijuana

Rastafarians regard marijuana as a sacred herb and use it as a part of prayer and worship. Consumption of marijuana, which rastas often call "wisdom weed," involves saying a special prayer before it is smoked in a group setting in what is known as a "reasoning session." During these sessions, Rastas use marijuana to "produce visions of a religious and calming nature," according to the BBC, and may read from the Bible, sing or discuss important issues.

 

Music and Prayer

Traditional music, known as nyabinghi, is of central importance to Rastafarian prayer. Combining traditional African drums with 19th-century gospel, nyabinghi typically accompanies reasoning sessions and other forms of prayer. The rhythm of traditional drums is believed to deepen the spiritual effects of prayer and reasoning sessions. Often, nyabinghi is accompanied by the recitation of traditional chants, which are also a form of prayer, with lyrics about Africa, freedom and the redemption of black people.

 

Dance

Just as music plays an important role in Rastafarian prayer, dancing is also a key part of religious worship. On special occasions and Rasta holy days, like Groundation, which celebrates the arrival of Haile Selassie I in Jamaica, believers take part in dances that may last for several days, according to Religion Facts. Special Rasta events will bring thousands of people together for singing and dancing in a special tabernacle

18 “Jah Jah” Prayers:

Lonliness

‘Jah Jah right now I am feeling lonely. Please help me Jah, to feel safe, fullfilled and loved. Jah I know in your time, I will feel condifent and hopeful once again.’

Jah is the creator, he created me to be a happy and fullfilled being. Jah is with me at all times, in his rememberance I am never alone.

Suicidal

‘Jah Jah, Satan is trying to get in the way of the beautiful plans you have for my life. I am feeling suicidal right now Jah. Please fill my mind and heart, with your truth, that there are good things coming to me right around the corner when I walk with in your loving light’

Only two entities know my future, the Almighty Jah, and the wicked Satan. I defeat Satan with Jah love, every time.

Forgiveness

‘Jah Jah please help me to forgive… Please put your light into my heart that it may be unhardened. Jah I know with you all things are possible.’

Jah causes the sun to rise and to set, a new day comes every 24 hours. With this new beginning day, we are encouraged to release all that is no longer serving us, and make way for new opportunities, and experiences to come.

Prosperity

 ‘Jah Jah please, in your time, and in your very special way, reveal to me, the path of least resistance, for my financial prosperity.’

Jah Jah sees and knows all things, he will reveal to me the path that is just right for me for my personal financial prosperity.

—

Self Love

‘Jah Jah, right now I am not feeling much self love. But I know Jah Jah you made me in your image. Please Jah, help me to see my self the same way that you see me. For I know in your eyes I am a perfect beautiful being.’

Jah made me complete, Jah made me whole. Therefore in his eyes I am perfect. Today I will love my self and see my self Just as The Almighty Creator does – as His masterfully created beautiful perfect being.

Loss

‘Jah Jah you see the loss that I am facing, and you know how this loss has effected my heart. Jah please give me relief from this loss, help me to see each day anew, and instill in me forward perspective.’

Jah Jah sees and knows all things. He wants me to depend on me. In the past I have suffered a loss, but now with the guiding light and love of Jah The Almighty, I am looking forward to a brand new day and more opportunities to be an instrument of Jah. Sometimes loss, is an opportunity to work for Jah the Almighty, in disguise.

Anger

‘Jah Jah, please remove these feelings of anger from my heart. Please fill me with your living light so that I may be uplifted and free. Jah Jah, walk with me each and every day that may be a clear example of your love in action.’

Jah Jah made me to live in love. In him I put my faith and trust. Anger cannot stay where the love of King Selassie I, and Jah the Almighty thrive.

Broken heart /Break up

Jah Jah, you have always been my guide. I am suffering a broken heart. Please Jah send me a healing for my heart, that I may start to feel a new.

Jah created me whole, even with a broken heart, I am a whole and complete being. I look to Jah to fill me up, for he is my unlimited everlasting source of love.

Enemies

“Jah Jah right now I have an enemy. ….is his her name. This person is causing a disruption in my life and my thinking patterns. Jah Jah, I leave vengeance up to you, for in Romans 12:19 you said ‘…vengeance is mine I will repay.’

I put my faith and trust in Jah that in his time and in his great wisdom, he will rectify the situation hand with my enemies. Jah Jah is the great equalizer.

Healing

“Jah Jah, you see and you know my heart. Right now I need some healing, oh Most High. Please, heal my heart. Plant your seed of renewal and hope inside my heart dear Jah. In your name, I seek healing to start a new.”

Jah Jah is the creator, he sees and knows all things. He wants me to cast my troubles upon him, he has the power to heal me. All my faith and trust is in Jah the Almighty.

Fresh Start

‘Jah Jah, Just like you created the Garden of Eden to bloom a new, I ask Jah Jah for a fresh new start. Bless me so that my mind nor my heart will not be weighed down by troubles or concerns of the past. Bless me so that I may look forward to taking a new step forward, on a brand new horizon.’

Jah Jah, is the creator, he builds a new. By the birth of new born babies to the rise of a new sun each day. I know he is constantly serving humanity, with his love and his new beginnings.

Overwhelmed

‘Jah Jah, I am feeling overwhelmed at this time. I know all things come to “pass.” Therefor I ask that you please lift this feeling of being overwhelmed from me, until this time has passed. Bless me Jah, that I may feel free, and light, once again.’

Jah Jah, created me, he never leaves me alone. I cast all my troubles upon him, for he has the Almighty power to handle all that I with human abilities cannot.

Hopelessness

‘Jah Jah at this time I am feeling hopeless. Please help me to feel a new. Place it in my heart that all that is happening around me is happening for your Higher Purpose. I remain steadfast, that you are watching over all things Jah Jah.’

Jah Jah, I know you designed my for greatness, I will remain steadfast, until the tide has turned.

Feeling Unloved

‘Jah Jah, please help me. I am feeling unloved. Jah Jah, I know you never leave me, I know your presence, is everlasting. I know you are always there and hear my every request, for I am your child.’

Jah is the Almighty. He has powers and abilities to heal and help me. Jah has the ability to love and accept me, in ways that no human can. In Jah I am always loved.

Addiction(s)

‘Jah Jah, you see and you know my heart. Jah please help me to turn my addiction to …around. Please eliminate the urge to ….from my heart mind and body, oh Jah. You are the great creator and the great healer.’

Jah knows Satan has many temptation in our path, with the love and light of Jah all can be over come, I trust the Almighty, to release Satan’s hold on me… and to release me from this addiction.

Sexual Temptations

‘Jah Jah, please remove these lustful thoughts, feelings and desires from me. Help me to walk in your light of self control, Self love, and Self Confidence. Please Jah Jah bless me to start a new.’

Jah, gives me self control, Jah gives me self love, I need not be temped by lust and promiscuous sins of Satan.

Protection

‘Jah Jah, you hold the light. The light of truth. Please protect me oh Jah from….’

Jah Jah, holds the power of the light of truth and love in all things. In Jah light, as long as I have a clean heart, his light surrounds me and protects me from evil day and night.

Self Improvement

‘Jah Jah, when you made me I was perfect, please put me on the path to become more like the day you made me. In you Jah Jah I seek to improve my self, please put your hand on my heart in order that I may fulfill this desire.’

Jah Jah loves me and wants me to be my best at all times, with his love, and guidance, self-improvement is inevitable.

Marijuana And Other Rasta Symbols

Ganja (Marijuana)
Ganja was brought to Jamaica in the late 1800’s by indentured East Indians, who were brought to the Island to work after slavery ended. Eventually it was outlawed and made illegal. The Jamaican environment and climate was the perfect place for the plant to grow.
The use of ganja in Jamaica is not unique to Rastafarians. Before Rastafari began, ganja was used by herbalists in Jamaica as a medicine in teas. It was also mixed with tobacco for smoking.
Ganja is considered the “wisdom weed” by Rastafarians, as its use helps one to gain wisdom. Rastafarians use it as a part of a religious rite and as a means of getting closer to their inner spiritual self, Jah (God) and Creation.

Ganja is also seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life mentioned in the Bible. Rastafarians use of ganja is justified by the following Psalms 104:14 that says, “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Rastafarians also say it was found growing at the grave of King Solomon in the Bible.
Rastafarian consume it through smoking and eating (not recomended). The smoking of Ganja is a part of a religious ritual. When there is a large “reasoning” gathering of Rastafarians, a Chalice, which is a large smoking pipe, may be passed around and smoked. This is similar to the passing around of a communion cup by some Christian denominations. These gatherings are also called Nyahbinghi (also the name of a Rastafarian sect: Theocratic Priesthood and Livity Order of Nyahbinghi).

True Rastafarians do not smoke cigarettes as it is seen as un-natural and dangerous to one’s health. Marijuana is not the only plant or herb used by Rastafarians. They use a wide variety of herbs, plants for medicinal and dietary purposes, however, ganja is the most popular.

The word Jah
Contrary to what you may read in many patois dictionaries or Jamaican related books, the word Jah is not derived from the word Jehovah. It is not “short hand” for Jehovah. Jah is from the King James Bible as another name for God like Elohim, El Shaddai and other names. It can be found in Psalm 68 vs 4 and can also be found in other verses depending on the Bible translations. In some translations Jah Jehovah is used.
This name for God has been popularized by Rastafarians and is now used by many in the mainstream Jamaican populations. Its use has become somewhat of a marketing ploy, as many use the term in songs and language to appeal to the general public because it can be portrayed as either the God of Rastafarians or Christianity. Evoking the name “Jah” can bring legitimacy to reggae artists, being that Rastafarians are associated with the music.

The Star Of David
It is used to symbolize the lineage between H.I.M. Haile Selassie and King Solomon.

The Conquering Lion And The Lamb
Symbolizes the lamb of God and the lion of Judah, which are both mentioned in the Bible.

Original Rasta Flag
The original flag of Rastafarians was Red, Black and Green. Red represented the blood of blacks that died in struggle to fight off their white oppressors. Black represented the color of black Africans skin. Green represented the vegetation of Jamaica and Jah’s (God) earth.

Current Rasta Flag
The current flag is the old Ethiopian flag with the Lion of Judah symbol. The meaning of the colors in the Ethiopian flag is: red for the blood, gold for the minerals & resources and green for the land

What does the red, green, and yellow mean in the rasta flag?

Best Answer:  The red, yellow, green are the colors of the Rasta flag. The red symbolizes the blood of black people, the yellow the stolen gold and the green the lost lands of Africa.
The Rasta flag can also be seen during coptic celebration in the motherland Ethiopia. These colors are too on the senegalese flag, from where thousand of slaves were deported, transiting by the Goree island.

Original Rasta Flag The original flag of Rastafarians was Red, Black and Green. Red represented the blood of blacks that died in struggle to fight off their white oppressors. Black represented the color of black Africans skin. Green represented the vegetation of Jamaica and Jah's (God) earth.
Current Rasta Flag The current flag is the old Ethiopian flag with the Lion of Judah symbol. The meaning of the colors in the Ethiopian flag is: red for the blood, gold for the minerals & resources and green for the land

What Snoop Lion Needs To Know About The Rastafarian Diet

There’s a reason why Snoop Dogg was spotted hanging at Jamaican restaurant Miss Lily’s in NYC last night (on Instagram, naturally).
Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. but known to most by his stage name, Snoop Dogg has recently undergone what he likes to describe as a “spiritual reincarnation.” Last February, Snoop spent a few weeks in Jamaica to record his new LP, appropriately titled Reincarnation (it’ll come out on Vice next spring). Along with the new album, Snoop has adopted the title of “Snoop Lion,” a name given to him by Rastafarian priests during his stay.
It got us thinking: Snoop, the man who boasted about “sippin on gin and juice,” was caught sneaking out for chicken & waffles on his reality TV show, and once sent Food Republic’s own editorial director Richard Martin on an In-N-Out run (double-doubles with cheese, hold the onions, plus fries and shakes) will now have to change his diet — if he sticks to this Rastafarian conversion. (We imagine the weed-as-sacrament part will be no problem.)

1. Rastafarian people refer to their most sacred foods as Ital or I-tal.
2. The goal of Ital is to increase what Rastafarians call “Livity” or “Life Energy.”
3. Food consumed by Rastas should be natural, pure and from the earth. This means no foods that are chemically modified or that contain artificial additives.
4. Some Rastas avoid sodium and salt, especially salt with artificially added iodine.
5. Many adhere to strict vegan or vegetarian diets. Meat is considered dead and therefore works against Livity and the elevation of Life Energy.
6. Most Rastas avoid eating pork as well as shellfish, as they are considered to be meat derived from scavengers.
7. Many Rastas denounce the use of cigarettes as well as alcohol due to their harmful effects on one’s health.
8. Most Rastas do encourage the use of cannabis due to the induced “prayer-like” state it brings about

10 Foods to Avoid on the Rastafarian Diet

The Rastafarian diet stems from the Rastafarian religion, which originated in Jamaica. However, many Rastas say that it is not a religion, but rather it is a way of life. The foods that they consume must be as close to their natural state as possible and be within the Levitical Law of the Old Testament.
The Rastafarian diet promotes healthy eating so that you can experience optimum health. The foods which are approved on the Rastafarian diet are called “ital”, which comes from the word vital and means liveliness. Although the diet was not designed to promote weight loss, it nevertheless is a great diet to help you shed unwanted weight by avoiding certain foods.

Pork
Pork is never consumed on the Rastafarian diet as the pig is a scavenger. Therefore, all pork is considered to be unclean and destructive to the human body.

Sea Food
Sea foods, such as shellfish, are scavengers and therefore should be avoided. Fish, however, are not forbidden if they have scales and are less than 12 inches long.

Meat
Most Rastas do not eat any type of meat, as they believe that touching meat is the same as touching death. However, meat in general is not forbidden as long as it comes from a clean animal such as a cow, goat, sheep, duck or chicken. Unclean animals, however, are forbidden. These include rabbit, camel, horse and birds of prey.

Eggs 
Eggs are also avoided on the Rastafarian diet ,as they are not considered to be a natural food for human consumption.

Milk
Milk from a cow or any other animal is also considered to be unnatural to the human body, and therefore it is avoided.

Artificial Additives and Chemicals
Any foods which contain any type of artificial additives or chemicals are considered to be destructive to the body. This includes most processed foods as they all contain some type of preservative, artificial sweeteners or artificial colorants. Cigarettes and most prescription drugs should also be avoided as a result of this, as they contain chemicals.

Canned Foods
This includes foods that you can yourself at home. The reason you should avoid these is because Rastas believe that anything that is pickled or fermented is like changing the body into a cemetery. In other words those foods are destructive.

Salt
Salt is not forbidden, but all Rastas, or those on the diet are highly encouraged to avoid all forms of processed salt. They believe that all the salt that the body needs to survive can be found in plants, as they all contain a small amount of sodium.

Caffeine
Caffeine is also not completely forbidden, but you are encouraged to avoid it, as it is a stimulant. High amounts of caffeine are found in coffee, black tea, sodas, and chocolate. Herbal tea is allowed, as it is natural and only contains small amounts of caffeine.

Alcohol
Alcohol is also considered to be destructive to the body, and therefore all forms are forbidden.
Some Rastas go as far as cooking with clay pots to avoid contamination from metal pots. They also refuse to eat with any utensil that is not made from natural material. They believe that the body is a temple that one should not pollute.

Who is Jah? What is Rastafari? Who is Haile Selassie? What is Babylon? Was Bob Marley a Christian?

JAHSing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his
name JAH, and rejoice before him.
Psalm 68:4 KJVIn this verse in the Bible, Jah (Yahh in Hebrew)
is a contraction of the root word Jehovah (Yehovah in Hebrew),meaning "the existing one", the proper
name of the one true God. This is the only time Jah is used in the King James Version of the Bible. This
word is used and translated as LORD 45 other times in the Old Testament, KJV.
Rastafari
Ras Tafari is one of the titles given to a man named Haile Selassie.  Jah is often placed in front of Ras
Tafari, referring to him as lord.  He was an Ethiopian Emperor that many claim to be Christ in the
second coming or Almighty God himself.  Many Rastas consider Haile Selassie to be divine. Many
Rastafarians worship him.  Before his coronation as the emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie was
thought by early Rastafarian preachers to be the Messiah—or God himself.  Some Rastas believe that
it was never Haile Selassie who was Christ, but the “lion spirit” within him. Though some Rastas deny
his diety and worship Christ, to most Rastas he is their redeemer and Africa is the promised land
(Particularly Ethiopia which they believe to be Zion).  Many Rastas use marijuana as a holy sacrament.
Marcus Garvey campaigned against marijuana and Haile Selassie outlawed its use in Ethiopia.  All
Rastas need to accept the emperor’s own self-denial of deity,  and follow his lead to full faith in Christ
alone for salvation.

Haile Selassie

 
Here are some excerpts from an interview with Haile Selassie, conducted by Dr. Oswald
Hoffman on Christmas Day 1968.
Dr. Hoffman: Your Imperial Majesty, it is a great honour to be permitted to speak with you today and
also to have you as a guest on this special Christmas programme which will be broadcast to people all
over the world. Your Imperial Majesty, what is it that makes you want to follow Jesus Christ?
Haile Selassie: "When Jesus Christ was born from Virgin Mary, from that time on He lived an
exemplary life, a life which men everywhere must emulate. This life and the faith which He has taught
us assures us of salvation, assures us also of harmony and good life upon earth. Because of the
exemplary character of the life of Jesus Christ it is necessary that all men do their maximum in their
human efforts to see to it that they approximate as much as they can the good example that has been set
by Him.
It's quite true that there is no perfection in humanity. From time to time we make mistakes. We do
commit sins, but even as we do that, deep in our hearts as Christians we know we have [a chance of]
forgiveness from the Almighty. He taught us that all men are equal regardless of sex, their national
origin and tribe. And He also taught us all who seek Him shall find Him. To live in this healthy life, a
Christian life, is what makes me follow Jesus Christ."
Dr. Hoffman: Your Imperial Majesty, what advice would you give a person who is considering the claims
of Christ, perhaps for the first time?
Haile Selassie: "I would tell a person who was considering the claims of Christ for the first time that it is
necessary to have faith in the Almighty, that it is necessary to have love, and that it is necessary to
conduct oneself in a manner that we have been taught to do in the Bible.
I would also advise him to seek the secular knowledge, for the more one knows the more he realizes the
need for a prime mover, the need for a Creator, a Creator who is good, and the need for salvation and
also for peaceful life upon earth.
I would also tell him to learn and to think for himself the ways he would serve the Lord. In this thought
and in this undertaking of his he will inevitably find the way of serving his fellow men. For his faith
would then be manifested by His conduct. If Christians behave in this way, if we dedicate ourselves to
this fundamental task, then we will have a peaceful world and will be assured of not transgressing against
the will and the Commandments of God."
Here are some other comments made by Haile Selassie in the same interview, from a
document he wrote called
"My Life and Ethiopia’s Progress, Volume 2", an interview by Bill McNeil,
and from his address to the World Evangelical Congress in 1966.
Haile Selasssie: "When He [Jesus Christ] sacrificed himself at Golgotha for the atonement of our sin, He
prayed with His last breath for the forgiveness of those who had tortured Him saying, ‘Father, forgive
them for they know not what they do’. Shame on those of us who are Christians and do not follow the
way of the Savior of the World, whose life was filled with kindness, humility, and martyrdom!"
Haile Selassie: "Without love all of our human efforts in the sight of God can be useless. He loved us and
on our behalf He was given as a ransom, and it was because of love and His love for us that He
accomplished the act of love."
Haile Selassie: "We in Ethiopia have one of the oldest versions of the Bible, but however old the version
may be, in whatever language it might be written, the Word remains one and the same. It transcends all
boundaries of empires and al conceptions of race. It is eternal…. And I might say for myself that from
early childhood I was taught to appreciate the Bible and my love for it increases with the passage of time.
All through my troubles I have found it a cause of infinite comfort…. Today man sees all his hopes and
aspirations crumbling before him. He is perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting. But he must
realize that the Bible is his refuge, and the rallying point for all humanity. In it man will find the
solution of his present difficulties and guidance for his future action, and unless he accepts with clear
conscience the Bible and its great Message, he cannot hope for salvation. For my part, I glory in the
Bible."
Haile Selassie: "This age above all ages is a period in history when it should be our prime duty to preach
the Gospel of grace to all our fellow men and women. The love shown in Christ by our God to mankind
should constrain all of us who are followers and disciples of Christ to do all in our power to see to it that
the Message of Salvation is carried to those of our fellows for whom Christ our Savior was sacrificed but
who have not had the benefit of hearing the Good News…. However wise or however mighty a person
may be, he is like a ship without a rudder if he is without God. A rudderless ship is at the mercy of the
waves and the wind, drifts wherever they take it, and if there arises a whirlwind it is smashed against the
rocks and becomes as if it has never existed. It is our firm belief that a soul without Christ is bound to
meet with no better fate. Therefore, O Christians, let us arise and, with the spiritual zeal and
earnestness which characterized the Apostles and early Christians, let us labor to lead out brothers and
sisters to our Savior Jesus Christ, Who only can give life in its fullest sense!"
Haile Selassie: [in response to the question "There are millions throughout the world, your Imperial
Majesty, who regard you as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ."] "I had heard of that idea. I also met
certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that 'I am a man,' that 'I am mortal,' and that 'I would be
replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or
pretending that the human being is emanated from a deity.'"
BabylonBabylon in the Bible is a literal city in the Old Testament and the word means "confusion". It
also represents corruption, idolatry, and a fallen or pagan system in the New Testament.

The view held by the majority of Rastas is far more broad. When they refer to Babylon, they are
defining any city that is not Zion--this usually means modern capitalistic evil society.Bob Marley


 
Was Robert Nesta Marley a Christian?
Only God know for sure.
Bob Marley is infamous for being reggae music's ambassador to the world. He was raised in the
Christian church but strayed away as a youth. He dove into Rastafari and the worship of Haile Selassie
and his career exploded as he toured around the nation preaching the beliefs of Rastafari.

It is also widely believed in Jamaica that Bob Marley became born again 7 months before he died of
cancer.

Arch Bishop Yesehaq head of the Kingston chapter of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jamaica was
initially sent to Jamaica by His Majesty to establish the church and to dispel the worship of Selassie.
Selassie felt that if he personally commissioned someone to start a church that worshipped Christ and
not himself, the Rastafarians would follow the true Christ. It was these reasonings and many others that
eventually brought Bob Marley to be baptized into the Ethiopian Orthodox church by Arch Bishop
Yesehaq. This conversion is well documented in Jamaica and was strongly criticized by many Rastas.
In Yesehaq's interview with Ian Boyne on JBC's "Profile" (Jamaica's most popular talk show), he
discusses this matter in great detail, explaining Bob's conversion as one whole hour of weeping
sobbing and tears of repentance. Another confirmation of this fact is the following: If it was not for his
denouncing Selassie as God, his conversion and baptism into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and
acceptance of their belief system, his funeral would have never taken place in their church. For the
Ethiopian Orthodox Church does not hold any ceremonies (including funerals) for non-members.

To further back up this fact is the testimony of Judy Mowatt. She was one of the famous "I-Threes," and
a strong worshipper of Selassie. Judy was initially disturbed by Bob's commitment to accept the
doctrine of the Ethiopian Orthodox church and be baptized into their body. She and others were
frustrated with Bob for forsaking all that he had stood for in his music and mission for so many years.
However, almost twenty years later Judy Mowatt completely understands the commitment that Bob had
made. For just a few years ago as documented in Reggae Report vol 14#6, Judy Mowatt became what
she calls a "fulfilled Rasta," by becoming a born again Christian. She believes that Selassie was a very
godly man, but was not God. This belief was backed by two recordings that she possessed that were
interviews with Selassie in which he discussed the fact that Rastafarians revered him as god, yet he
clearly denied being God/Christ.
Judy Mowatt
Judy Mowatt was one of the singers in the I-Threes, the backing vocals of Bob Marley. After 22 years of
being a Rasta who believed that Haile Selassie was the returned messiah, she felt very unfulfilled and
dissatisfied. She started to read the Bible which she already read several times, but this time it was as
she was seeing new things that she had never realized before. So she read that ‘there is no other
name given among men whereby we must be saved, but by the name of Jesus Christ.’ (Acts 4:12) That
verse flew out of the Bible and into her spirit and really turned the key. Another time she was listening
to an interview with Haile Selassie where the interviewer asked him, ‘Why is it that people say you are
the returned Messiah?’ and he answered through an interpreter - ‘I’m a mere man. I will be replaced by
the oncoming generation and a human being should not be emulated for a deity.’ Somebody gave Judy
a book, an autobiography and selected speeches of Haile Selassie and so she came to understand
that ‘His Majesty’ was a Christian king and not the returned Messiah. Today she recognizes that
instead of worshipping Haile Selassie, she should be worshipping who he is worshipping, Jesus Christ!
By coming to this revelation, she is stepping in the footsteps of no one less than Bob Marley himself.
She says: “When Bob was on his dying bed, his wife Rita called me on the phone and said to me that
Bob was in such excruciating pain and he stretched out his hand and said, ‘Jesus take me.’ I was
wondering to myself, ‘Why is it that Bob said “Jesus” and not “Selassie”?’ But I never said it to anyone.
Then I met a friend of mine and he said his sister, who is a Christian, was a nurse at the hospital where
Bob was before he passed on, and she led him to the Lord Jesus Christ. So when Rita saw him saying
‘Jesus take me’, he had already received the Lord Jesus Christ in his life.”
Judy continues: “Telling the truth about Marley’s conversion, isn’t popular in Jamaica. I said it on a
popular television programme and a Rasta man met me and asked me why did I have to say that? I
said: Because it’s the truth!”
Let those who have ears hear. Truth must prevail. We are not here to tell people what they would like
to hear. We are here to tell the truth. And the truth is Jesus. Today if you hear the voice of Jahweh, our
Father in heaven, do not harden your heart, but rather let Him come into your heart in all truth!

Rastafarianism /Rastafari religion

A religion with deep political convictions, Rastafarianism began in the slums of Jamaica in the 1920s and 30s. African religious tradition has heavily influenced the culture of Rastafarianism and biblical themes have heavily influenced the religion's belief system. The most famous Rastafari is arguably Bob Marley, whose reggae music gained the Jamaican movement international recognition.
There is no formal, organized leadership in Rastafarianism, creating a wide variety of spiritual and moral variation within the religion. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life, and others see it more as a religion. Nevertheless, uniting the diversity within the movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.
The Rastafarian lifestyle usually includes ritual use of marijuana, avoidance of alcohol, the wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks, and vegetarianism.

Fast Facts on Rastafarianism

Date founded:

Generally said to be November 2, 1930, the year Emperor Hailie Selassie I (1892-1975) was crowned, but based in a movement of the 1920s.

Place founded:

Jamaica

Founder:

Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), a black Jamaican who taught in the 1920s and is considered a second John the Baptist.

Adherents:

About 1 million worldwide

Symbols:

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Ethiopian flag, colors: green, red, yellow

Rastafarian religious terminology

Followers of the Rastafari movement are known as Rastafarians, Rastafaris, Rastas, or Ras Tafarians. The movement is named for Ras Tafari Makonnen, who was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia in 1930. Some Rastafaris dislike the term "Rastafarianism" because they reject the "isms and schisms" that characterize oppressive and corrupt white society. The movement is referred to as "the Rastafari movement," "Rasta," or "Rastafari."

Rastafari religious beliefs

Rastafarians believe in the Judeo-Christian God, whom they call Jah. In general, Rastafarian beliefs are based in Judaism and Christianity, with an emphasis on Old Testament laws and prophecies and the Book of Revelation.
Jah was manifested on earth as Jesus, who Rastas believe was black, and Emperor Haile Selassie. Selassie is referred to as His Imperial Majesty or H.I.M. (pronounced "him") and believed to still be alive - his death was a hoax and he lives in protection awaiting the Day of Judgment. Selassie is worshipped as divine. (Scriptural proof texts include Revelation 5:2-5, 17:14, 19:6, 22:16, Ezekiel 30, Psalm 9, 18, 68, 76, 87:4, Isaiah 9.) Rastafarians also honor Old Testament prophets like Moses and Elijah.
Rastafarians do not believe in an afterlife, [5] but instead look to Africa (called "Zion") as a heaven on earth. True Rastas are believed to be immortal, both physically and spiritually, a concept called "everliving." An important Rastafarian concept is "I and I," which is said instead of "you and I." It emphasizes the oneness between humanity and God as well as the equality of all humans.
Another central concept is Babylon, which refers to the white power structure of Europe and the Americas. Rastas seek to resist Babylon, which once cruelly enslaved blacks and still continue to hold them down through poverty, illiteracy, inequality, and trickery. The greed and conceit of Babylon is contrasted with the humble simplicity and naturalness of the Rastas.

Rastafari Texts

The sacred text of Rastafarians is the Holy Piby, the "Black Man's Bible." It was compiled by Robert Athlyi Rogers of Anguilla from 1913 to 1917 and published in 1924. The Holy Piby is a version of the Christian Bible that has been altered to remove all the deliberate distortions that are believed to have been made by white leaders during its translation into English. The Ethiopian national epic, the Kebra Negast, is also respected by Rastas, but less so than the Bible.

Rastafari Sects and Subdivisions

There are three main sects or orders of Rastafari today. All agree on the basic principles of the divine status of Haile Selassie and the importance of black images of divinity. Many Rastafari do not belong to any sect and the movement as a whole is loosely defined and organized.

The Nyahbinghi Order

The Nyahbinghi Order (a.k.a. Theocratic Priesthood and Livity Order of Nyabinghi) is named for Queen Nyahbinghi of Uganda, who fought against colonialists in the 19th century. This is the oldest of the orders and it focuses mainly on Haile Selassie, Ethiopia, and the eventual return to Africa. It is overseen by an Assembly of Elders.

Bobo Shanti

Bobo Shanti was founded by Prince Emanuel Charles Edwards in Jamaica in the 1950s. "Bobo" means black and "Shanti" refers to the Ashanti tribe in Ghana, from which this sect believes Jamaican slaves are descended. Members of Bobo Shanti are also known as Bobo Dreads.
In belief, Bobo Dreads are distinguished by their worship of Prince Emmanuel (in addition to Haile Selassie) as a reincarnation of Christ and embodiment of Jah; their emphasis on the return to Africa ("repatriation"); and their demands for monetary reimbursement for slavery.
Members of the Bobo Shanti order wear long robes and tightly wrapped turbans around their dreads. They adhere closely to the Jewish Law, including the observance of the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday and hygiene laws for menstruating women. They live separately from Jamaican society and other Rastafarians, growing their own produce and selling straw hats and brooms. They often carry brooms with them to symbolize their cleanliness.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel

The Twelve Tribes of Israel sect was founded in 1968 by Dr. Vernon "Prophet Gad" Carrington. It is the most liberal of the Rastafarian orders and members are free to worship in a church of their choosing. Each member of this sect belongs to one of the 12 Tribes (or Houses), which is determined by birth month and is represented by a color. 7
References & Sources
- "Rastafarians." Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions
- "Haile Selassie." Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service (accessed August 2006).
- "About H.I.M. Haile Selassie." Jamaicans.com
- "The Holy Piby: The holy text of the Rastafari" - BobMarley.com
- "Rasta's Symbolism" - The Afrocentric Experience
- B. Chevannes, Rastafari and Other African-Caribbean Worldviews (Rutgers University Press, 1998), 17-18.
- "The Rastafarian Orders/Sects." Jamaicans.com Books - Leonard E. Barrett, Sr., The Rastafarians: Sounds of Cultural Dissonance (Boston: Beacon Press, 1988).
- Leonard E. Barrett, Sr., The Rastafarians: The Dreadlocks of Jamaica (Kingston: Sangster's Book Stores, 1977).
- E. Cashmore, The Rastafarians (London: Minority Rights Group, 1984).
- E. Cashmore, Rastaman: The Rastafarian Movement in England (London: G. Allen and Unwin, 1979).
- B. Chevannes, Rastafari and Other African-Caribbean Worldviews (New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1998).
- B. Chevannes, Rastafari: Roots and Ideology (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1994).
- P. Clark, Black Paradise: The Rastafarian Movement (San Bernadino: Borgo Press, 1994).
- G. Hausman, The Kebra Negast: The Book of Rastafarian Wisdom and Faith From Ethiopia and Jamaica (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997).
- Kelleyana Junique, Rastafari? Rasta for You: Rastafarianism Explained (Athena Press Pub, 2004).
- W. Lewis, Soul Rebels: The Rastafari (Illinois: Waveland Press, 1997).
- J. Melton, Encyclopedia of American Religions, 5th Edition (Detroit: Gale Research. 1996).
- I. Morrish, Obeah, Christ, and Rastaman: Jamaica and its Religion (Cambridge: James Clarke & Co., 1982).
- Nathaniel Samuel Murrell, ed., Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader (Temple University Press, 1998).
- J. Owens, Dread: The Rastafarians of Jamaica (London: Heinemann Press, 1979).
- R. Ringenberg, Rastafarianism, an Expanding Jamaican Cult (Jamaica: Jamaica Theological Seminary, 1978).
- W. Spencer, Dread Jesus (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1999).

What is Rastafarianism?

Question: "What is Rastafarianism?"

Answer: 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).

Recommended Resources: Neighboring Faiths by Winfried Corduan and Logos Bible Software.

Is the Rastafarian / Rasta god “Jah” the same as the Christian God?

Question: "Is the Rastafarian / Rasta god ‘Jah’ the same as the Christian God?"

Answer: Rastafarianism, Rastafari, or Rasta is a religious movement originating in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastafarianism takes elements of the Bible and combines them with the ideology of Marcus Garvey and the belief that Haile Selassie I, emperor of Ethiopia (1930—1975) was the second advent of the Messiah. Thus, Rastafarians believe that Emperor Selassie was God.

Rasta takes its term for “god,” Jah, from the King James Version’s translation of Psalm 68:4, which reads, in part, “Extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.” The name for God in this verse is a shortened version of the tetragrammaton, YHWH. The tetragrammaton is usually transliterated as “Yahweh” (or “Jehovah” in the KJV) or translated “LORD.” In Psalm 68:4, the KJV translators chose to transliterate the word as “JAH” instead. So, the name is certainly a biblical name for God. However, a group’s use of a biblical name for God does not guarantee that the group is biblical. Just because Rastas apply a biblical name to their god does not mean that they are worshipping the God of the Bible. Different individuals may be named “George,” but that doesn’t mean they are all the same person.

The god Rastas refer to as “Jah” is not triune, and he does not provide eternal salvation. Neither did the man they claim to have been the returned Messiah rule the whole earth or bring perfect peace to the world (cp. Isaiah 9:7). The religious practices of Rastafari, while drawn from Jewish and Christian origins, are not what God commands or desires for His people. The Jah of Rastafarianism is most certainly not the God of the Bible in whom Christians put their trust for salvation.

Recommended Resources: Neighboring Faiths by Winfried Corduan and Logos Bible Software.