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What is Rastafarianism? What are the basic tenets, and do they include particular teachings regarding Caucasians?
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Name : Cathy H., Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Jewish, Age : 45, City : Rochester, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : social work student/homemaker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I’m not an expert, but I have read a little about Rastafarianism. To the best of my knowledge Rasta is an offshoot of Christianity relying heavily on the book of Revelations. They believe that the second coming of the savior has already occured on Earth in the person of the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Hallie Salasie. Salasie led Ethiopia to liberation from British colonial rule and as one of the first modern African leaders to do so, represented leadership and solidarity to Black people throughout the world. Rastas also believe in Pan-Africanism which is the philosophy that all Black people in the world are and should be united through their common African ancestry (see Marcus Garvey). I believe that Rastafarianism began in Jamaica, but I may be mistaken. Adherents to the faith typically do not cut, comb, or brush their hair allowing it to grow into Dred Locks. In addition they do not believe in the mass accumulation of material wealth and often give away their possessions and share their homes with friends and the needy. Rastas also believe in using marijuana as a means of connecting to the world spiritually and uplifting their minds. I have read that Rastas allow their children to smoke marijuana as a part of their faith.
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Name : Tubbs, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 28, City : Silver Spring, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : between jobs, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Rastafarianism is an extension of Christianity. The word Ras means Prince(I’m not sure which language this is.) Tafari Makonnen was a prince and eventually king of Eithiopia in the 1930s, and he was the X number son descended X number of generations(I don’t know the exact number) from a Biblical king and queen. Rastafarianism is based on a Biblical quote that said this man, Ras Tafari Makonnen, was the second-coming of Jesus Christ. So that is where the word Rastafari comes from. Rastafari took the Throne name of Haile Salassie. So when people speak of Rastafari, or Haile Salassie, they are referring to the same person. As far as I know, there are no teachings about Caucasians or any other race that exist among Rastas. Remember, Jamaica was an English-colonized country. So many Jamaican blacks may have hard feelings toward the white English people who colonized their country. Since Rastafarianism began in, and is most widely practiced in Jamaica, you may get some Rastas who feel resentment toward white people. As a side note, the ganja (marijuana) smoking is based on a Biblical quote as well. Genesis 1:12, which is usually translated like, ‘I (God) give you all the seed-bearing herbs and plants to use.’ Rastas see ganja as way to connect more colsely with God and as a reward from God. Finally, when Rastas refer to God as Jah, it’s just short for Jehovah, a name used for God in the Bible.
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Name : Marc22181, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 26, City : Harpers Ferry, State : WV, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,Early in the Rastafarian movement, Leonard Howell gave the religion these principals: hatred for the white race, the complete superiority of the black race, revenge on whites for their wickedness, the negation, persecution, and humiliation of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica, preparation to go back to Africa, and acknowledging Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia as the Supreme Being and only ruler of black people. However, as Dr. E.E. Cashmore observed, ‘The belief system of Ras Tafari was so vague and loosely defined, even at its inception, due to its lack of a single authoritative voice, that what was to be acceptable doctrine was largely matter of individual interpretation.’ Now, Rastafarianism is very secular. Dreadlocks, the colors red, green, yellow, and black, and most other symbols have lost their meaning and simply become a fashion statement. Those who do follow the religion have significantly loosened their doctrines toward whites, women, and Selassie. I totally copped all this from the University of Virginia’s Religous Movements webpage. It is a great site to find answers for almost any religous question. Here is the address: http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/profiles/listalpha.htm
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Name : Nathan Hopkins, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 18, City : St. Louis, State : MO, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I know some about it but not a lot. The Rastafarians believe that they are the children of the Queen of Sheba, and as such – they are descended from King David. Haile Selassie – the president of is believed to be the Messiah. The very name “Rastafarin” cames from Ras (which means head or leader) and “Tafari Makonnen” – which was Selassie’s birth name. The reason that they wear their hair in dreadlocks, is because they view this as part of the Nazarite vow that many of them take. (i.e., like Samson – they believe that they are not supposed to cut their hair.
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Name : TimB, Gender : Male, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 39, City : Jacksonville, State : FL, Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,
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