Rastafari When the average person hears the term “alternative religious movement”, or cult, he is inclined to picture religious fanatics willing to do anything to support their religion. While it is feasible that this image is correct for some alternative religious movements, it is as far from the truth as possible for the Rastafari movement. Rastas, or members of the Rastafari movement, firmly believe in world peace and are constantly using their voices to preach down violence and other transgressions of society (debate). The goal of the Rastafari movement is to resist “Babylon”, the oppressive organizations and countries around the world, and create a society in which everyone has truly equal rights. Rastafari is viewed as a small fad by
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Marcus Garvey’s goal was to return blacks to their homeland of Africa, and to do this, he made a prophecy “’Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be your Redeemer’” (bcc). Soon after, on November 2, 1930, Ras Tafari, a black Ethiopian, was crowned king of Ethiopia and changed his name to Haile Selassie I (largeup). Once admirers of Garvey realized his prophecy came true, they began to worship Haile Selassie I as the “Black Messiah” and named their religious movement, Rastafari, after his original name, Ras Tafari (bbc). Rastafari’s first branch was established in Jamaica in 1935, by Leonard P. Howell, who preached of Haile Selassie’s divinity and of how the black race would soon gain their much deserved superiority over their white suppressors (bbc). Howell’s teachings quickly gained widespread support in Jamaica and led to the establishment of a multitude of new Rastafari churches (bbc). It was not until the popular musician Bob Marley began to show interest in the Rastafari movement that it gained global recognition …show more content…
Originally, the Rastas followed six core beliefs: whites have been suppressing blacks, blacks are the superior race, blacks need to displace the whites, the Jamaican government needs to be overthrown, Emperor Haile Selassie I is god, and Haile Selassie will lead the blacks back to Africa (bbc). These beliefs were followed until the 1970s, when Joseph Owens and later Michael Jagessar revised the beliefs to accommodate modern ways of thinking (bcc). New Rastafari beliefs focus on the fact that salvation can be found on earth, rather than in “heaven”; therefore, Rastas should focus on promoting peace on earth and respecting the planet and all of its inhabitants (bbc). Because of these beliefs, Rastas adhere to an I-tal diet, which forbids the consumption of pork, focuses mainly on vegetables and chemical-free food, and avoids the consumption of alcohol (bbc). Rastas also believe large corporations are oppressing the average person financially, speech is the ultimate tool for communicating ones beliefs and thoughts, and judgement is soon to come for Rastas
Marcus Garvey’s goal was to return blacks to their homeland of Africa, and to do this, he made a prophecy “’Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be your Redeemer’” (bcc). Soon after, on November 2, 1930, Ras Tafari, a black Ethiopian, was crowned king of Ethiopia and changed his name to Haile Selassie I (largeup). Once admirers of Garvey realized his prophecy came true, they began to worship Haile Selassie I as the “Black Messiah” and named their religious movement, Rastafari, after his original name, Ras Tafari (bbc). Rastafari’s first branch was established in Jamaica in 1935, by Leonard P. Howell, who preached of Haile Selassie’s divinity and of how the black race would soon gain their much deserved superiority over their white suppressors (bbc). Howell’s teachings quickly gained widespread support in Jamaica and led to the establishment of a multitude of new Rastafari churches (bbc). It was not until the popular musician Bob Marley began to show interest in the Rastafari movement that it gained global recognition …show more content…
Originally, the Rastas followed six core beliefs: whites have been suppressing blacks, blacks are the superior race, blacks need to displace the whites, the Jamaican government needs to be overthrown, Emperor Haile Selassie I is god, and Haile Selassie will lead the blacks back to Africa (bbc). These beliefs were followed until the 1970s, when Joseph Owens and later Michael Jagessar revised the beliefs to accommodate modern ways of thinking (bcc). New Rastafari beliefs focus on the fact that salvation can be found on earth, rather than in “heaven”; therefore, Rastas should focus on promoting peace on earth and respecting the planet and all of its inhabitants (bbc). Because of these beliefs, Rastas adhere to an I-tal diet, which forbids the consumption of pork, focuses mainly on vegetables and chemical-free food, and avoids the consumption of alcohol (bbc). Rastas also believe large corporations are oppressing the average person financially, speech is the ultimate tool for communicating ones beliefs and thoughts, and judgement is soon to come for Rastas