What is Rasta

[FunkyPhreshMama]

....to you???????? I am not gonna flame anyone, I just wan't to get everyones view of rasta in one thread without aanyone saying whos right or wrong. Yes I know I have argued in here, but I promise no arguing in this thread. Just put down what you think and feel about rasta here...........

[BannedInDC]

The thing is no one knows!!!

[FunkyPhreshMama]

what do you mean, no one knows?
i know what rasta means to me...

[Nimrod's Apprentice]

Rasta is just from Rastafari, a christian religion that is pre-catholic, and it was reinvented by Marcus Garvey, via the knowledge of Emporer Haille Sellassie of Ethiopia was the rightful heir to the throne of Zion. That he is a descendant of King Solomon, and that the Coptic Christianity is a much more pure version untainted by mainly the Catholics. I think it is an awesome religion, if you must buy into one. If you do it only for the dreads your a fuckin poser. If you are white you are bound to meet strange situations, even though they view all humanity as one people. There are still racist rastafari, that associate Babylon with white culture and white dominance, just because the Babylonians were aryan (white skin blue eyes). Sum aryan Sumerian, just to throw that out there.
The baldheads they refer to comes from this reference to ancient Babylon knowing the lay person had to shave their head showing submission to their emporer, as well as give him all shares of everything in their life. Whereas the original religion said this should only be done for god. This is the origin of dreadlocks, showing the rebelliance of material wealth and the physical body restrictions of society at that time. Plus the spiral action of Africans hair naturally forming locks, showed that "Jah" was the creative force behind nature, and this spiral pattern is found all over. Yet I have studied the annunaki accounts of Jah and jehova and I believe him to be a false god, only taking on that name when accounts were translated into greek,latin,and english.

Lets now avoid the fact of Ganja as the wisdom weed too. Hell Id go to church if all it was, were a larger group of philosopher/religious types like myself just getting togethor and talking about shit while we passed doob eaze, or chillums like they would smoke before the allmighty Rasta spliff was used.

[Nimrod's Apprentice]

Rasta is just from Rastafari, a christian religion that is pre-catholic, and it was reinvented by Marcus Garvey, via the knowledge of Emporer Haille Sellassie of Ethiopia was the rightful heir to the throne of Zion. That he is a descendant of King Solomon, and that the Coptic Christianity is a much more pure version untainted by mainly the Catholics. I think it is an awesome religion, if you must buy into one. If you do it only for the dreads your a fuckin poser. If you are white you are bound to meet strange situations, even though they view all humanity as one people. There are still racist rastafari, that associate Babylon with white culture and white dominance, just because the Babylonians were aryan (white skin blue eyes). Sum aryan Sumerian, just to throw that out there.
The baldheads they refer to comes from this reference to ancient Babylon knowing the lay person had to shave their head showing submission to their emporer, as well as give him all shares of everything in their life. Whereas the original religion said this should only be done for god. This is the origin of dreadlocks, showing the rebelliance of material wealth and the physical body restrictions of society at that time. Plus the spiral action of Africans hair naturally forming locks, showed that "Jah" was the creative force behind nature, and this spiral pattern is found all over. Yet I have studied the annunaki accounts of Jah and jehova and I believe him to be a false god, only taking on that name when accounts were translated into greek,latin,and english.

Lets now avoid the fact of Ganja as the wisdom weed too. Hell Id go to church if all it was, were a larger group of philosopher/religious types like myself just getting togethor and talking about shit while we passed doob eaze, or chillums like they would smoke before the allmighty Rasta spliff was used.

[FunkyPhreshMama]

anyone else going to give me their answers.....

looking for your own opinions on rasta, not cut and paste, not bible verses, not anything like that. just how you feel and what you think it is....

it's like this, there are some christians who know what they are talking about, there are also some who i have met who get confused in an argument if you don't let them have their bible, they can't answer things from the top of their head, they have to quote and look things up, I am sure there are people like this of every relegion...........

so I want a "bible free" (so to speak) point of view.......

[UrsusKind]

Hey Robin its big Danie

to me the central theme of Rasta without getting all ethiopian princely and what not is best said by Bob Marley's get up stand up

"Is not all that glitters in gold and
Half the story has never been told"

going biblically slightly, in the bible it says the new tribe of God will have her word written in their hearts. The truth written on their hearts is the "half of the story that has never been told"

A Rasta in my mind has made it to a point where they have saught and found enough truth in this world that they have unlocked the key to the truth in their heart.

[Alden]

Look you can have my veiw or you could go to the all mighty Wiki. Trust me Wiki will make more sense. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasta

[SmallPencl]

ok, sounds like funky wants it in our own words
to me, rastafari is peace...it's neither black or white, yellow, or brown...it's the belief that all life comes from Africa, and Africa is the motherland...it was fed fire from Marcus Garvey, who was one of the first people to speak publicly and proudly about the back to Africa movement! I believe it's a shame that everything from Rasta colors to Rasta symbolism has become a fashion statement, since even stores like hot topic or Hecht’s now sells "lion of Judah" clothing.
i do not belief that rastafari is in any shape of fashion racist, it came from white supremacy, it wouldn't make any sense to go to the opposite side of the spectrum and turn to black supremacy...
the belief of H.I.M. Heile Sellassie being the messiah differs from person to person, some people believing that he's the second coming of Jesus Christ, some believing that he's the first messiah that has shown!
i belief that religion is all about what you can identify with...rastafari's goal of "chanting down Babylon" or bring down Babylon (which is not America or England or anything else, but instead, anything, any belief system, or religion, or government that oppresses people) is what I identify with

[FunkyPhreshMama]

Thanks Danie and Smallpencl......

and thanks for the link but I do wan't it in your own worlds Alden, if you don't wanna give it to me thats cool LOL but I am interested in the personal opinions of hipforumers.......................

[Alden]

in my own words, rastas just want peace. to love everyone no matter the color of a persons skin. And to fulfill this the world must realize the rastas true place is in Africa. I have also noticed that more and more discussion is that of the catastrophic issues in Africa. The main beleif is that Haile Selassie will return and all rasta will return to Africa.

[FunkyPhreshMama]

thanks so much alden http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Alden]

Yeah no problem.

[LuMpYtRiChOmEy]

I have no religion and Im not too shure that Rasta dose either. It seems to me that Rasta is all who fight and resist babelon in the name of God in order to promote peace and harmony for God. Im not realy interested in someone rizin from the dead or not.

[FunkyPhreshMama]

not sure what you mean lumpy, I was always under the impression rasta was a religion......... can you elaborate so I can get a better grasp of what you mean?

[LuMpYtRiChOmEy]

Hey Howdy FPM http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif ! I havnt got out an got that CD yet but Im gettin to it http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif ! Im not real popular in my beliefs on religion. Not meanin to be offensive to annyone but I dont like anykinda religion that I seen so far. I think that if anythings really gettin ya closer to God it aint gonna be religion. I think God wants more of a one on one with everyone. When we get the one on one with the Lord rite we learn to work together. When we do that we get the Agape love thing goin. I dont think I realy know enough bout Rasta to know anything bout them for shure but if its pure Love its gonna be without payin tenshion to weather someones got loks in their hair or not. Or wether someone believes in certain doctrin or not. I just got the impression that with Rasta theres a wide differance in beliefs. Long as we love the Lord and fight babolin were on the same side. I like Jesus,Budda and Hari Krishna too! I dont care if they lived died and lived again either! Mabey Im readin it as tolerance. I guess Im shure that theres gonna be radicals in every groop but I guess I just dig the diversity in Rasta beliefs. I shure do share lotsa views. I dont share others. But maby what makes us true is when we can all sit together and share comunion and hear God together. and There shurly is no doubt that Herb was the origional Sacriment given to us by God for the purpos of Comunion http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif ! I guess what I was tryin to say is that I like the un-orginization http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif . -Meanin it in a good way!

[GeneralPenguin]

I'm gonna research it more. Since it comes from christianity, then I wouldn't mind converting. I'm not sure about this second coming of the messiah and all, but I think more research can help me on that.

[Professor Jumbo]

I don't really have much of a personal opinion on Rasta itself. Seems that it originally develpoed as a "gathering point" if you will for black resistance to white dominance and oppression. The idea of white Rastas is really fairly bizzare I think. It was born of the "Back to Africa movement", something that it would make no sense for a white person to be a part of given the meaning and intent of the movement. All I'm hearing here is that folks think that it is about sitting around and smoking dope and talking about peace and love, that Rastas are basically a bunch of hippies or something. It is a fairly well developed relgion drawn from Christianity, and no it is not just about peace, love, and pot (though those things are important). More later, my battery is about to die.

[Alden]

...*chough chough*Jesus was black

[FunkyPhreshMama]

"The idea of white Rastas is really fairly bizzare I think. It was born of the "Back to Africa movement", something that it would make no sense for a white person to be a part of given the meaning and intent of the movement."

Is it not possible that all life at one point in time began in Africa?? Not saying I do or do not beleive this but it is possible.

[prophet7]

First of all overstand that Rasta is not a religion it is a way of life.

Rasta are those that follow the words of His Emperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, the Conquering Lion Of the Tribe Of Judah, Rastafari, the Power Of The Trinity, Elect of the Father.

Rasta are those that follow the Word of the Father according to the Bible by doing what the Father says. Rasta is the way not a religion. Rasta is not bound to religion. Religion is just beliefs. Beliefs are just doubts. Rasta is knowledge. Rasta know. Rasta is freedom. Rasta is every other thing. Rasta is the future.

One Love
Prophet7

[FunkyPhreshMama]

Prophet... like in my post from another thread, these two things (should) go hand in hand (even though sometimes people dont pracrice what they preach)... it is still a religion

Not sure if you are aware rasta also beleive His Emperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings is GOD!

[prophet7]

That is where you've made ur mistake. Rasta do not believe that His Emperial Majesty is God. We know that HE is Christ in his return. The Father is far too great to be born in a body of sin. For as the Bible says everyone (every body) is born in sin. Jesus is the one that conquered that sin.

The Bible speeks of how He shall return and what titles He shall take upon His 2cnd coming and only one has filled it i.e., H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I and no-one else.
Once again the Father is too great to be reduced to the status of humans.

Why I say it is not a religion ? Religions are based upon beliefs, beliefs have doubts - Rasta is based upon knowing, I and I have no doubts.

Hope u overstand what I am saying...

One Love
Prophet7

[FunkyPhreshMama]

ok so answer me this, if Selassie is Christ?? How would he not be God... The Trinity, father son and holy ghost, they are all the same....

[prophet7]

No they are not. Jesus Himself says it. "I can do nothing except of the Father." Even better : "I can of myself say nothing except of the Father. Whatsovever I hear (i.e, whatsoever the Father tells me) that shall I speak." Now what does that mean ?

Answer : He never spoke ahead of the Father but, spoke that what the Father gave Him to speak.

I mean Jesus would be a hypocrite if were to call out "Eli, Eli why hast thou forsaken I ?" if He were the Father - or not ? Was He then calling out to Himself ?

As the Jews asked Him a question saying : "Good Master..." would He then reply : "Why calleth thou me good. There is none good but, the Father ?" if He was/is the Father ?

There are many more examples to proove this but, I think those 3 are enough - don't u ?

If not I will be willing to give u many more examples...

One Love
Prophet7

[prophet7]

P.S. when Jesus talks about "I and the Father are one" he is talking on a spiritual level i.e., one in the spirit, one in the thinking (for he does not think ahead of the Father), one in the doing (for he does nothing ahead of the Father). What the Father gives Him to say and do, that He does....

One Love
Prophet7

[Lunatic_3051]

I'm interested in your interest, funkyphreshmama. I have many views on rasta, but, i am often not taken seriously because i am white and don't worship selassie. To put it simply, this is what I see rasta to be:

Love. and from that all things come. Respect, peace, understanding. all good things come from love.

[prophet7]

@lunatic

The name Rasta itself is derived from Selassie name = Ras Tafari. Rasta are those that follow Ras Tafari.

Ur are right about ur view on Rasta but, in order to be a Rasta u have to follow H.I.M. or else u are not. Like I said before we do not worship Selassie - I and I follow H.I.M. examples = very big difference. Maybe that is why people do not take u serious because u have not overstood it yet...

Being white has nothing at all to do with it. I and I accept everyone that follow in truth. It was Selassie words that Marley used for his song "War." Listen to it. Here some words :

Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior - war
Until the color of a mans skin is of no more significance to the color of his eyes - war.

Rasta do not look at color : Rasta search what is in the heart...

One Love
prophet7

[Lunatic_3051]

I understand these things you mention, prophet. I use rastafarianism as the base of my spiritual views (as well as the core beliefs of many other 'religions'). I'm not what one would call a true 'rasta' by a long shot. Rasta encompasses 90% of the things that I believe and I found out about rasta only after I had formed my belief system. It's a good place to start when explaining what I do and don't believe to people.

I'm glad you do not look at color because many do and not everybody realizes that it's the Love that's important and not the color. Including many so-called 'rastas'...

[Orsino2]

What if you have one of those hats with dreads and couple bob marley CDs...

(Haha.. Ali G)

[nirmalamaya]

Rasta does not mean a lot to me. I am not a part of the religion, even though I honor the beliefs of many religions, and fit them into my everyday life. There are a lot of things I do not yet grasp about Rastafarianism (its the ism schism). I believe in Babylon. I believe in Zion. Maybe not much like the Rastas, but I do not really restrict myself to one world view :)

[natural philosophy]

^nirmalamaya, what do you believe Zion to be? in the physical or spiritual sense? because many rastas believe Zion to be a state of mind, others say it is heaven, others say it is a physical place (ethiopia...or less commonly, israel).

[nirmalamaya]

I dont really BELIEVE Zion to be anything. Its more like I have a few theories on what it may be...
Physically...Zion is Israel to me. The "Holy Mountain." The Promised land.
Spiritually, Zion is Heaven to me.

I believe Babylon is the Western Civilization, the Western state of mind. The USA.

[natural philosophy]

^interesting. so you believe Israel to be the holy land, blessed by god? do you have any desire to physically enter this place?

i used to believe in Zion as a spiritual place, like a heaven or a perfect afterlife. now, to me, Zion seems like more of an internal place to be rather than external.

if Babylon is the external, evil, physical world, then Zion must be inside of our minds, an internal state of existence, very far from Babylon spiritually, but very close physically, since we find ourselves surrounded by Babylon's influences every day. it's hard to physically escape Babylon to go to Zion, but we can do it spiritually.

To me, Babylon is more of the mindset of desire and gratification. To transcend these things and to express perfect Love is to enter Zion.

[*dave*]

Rasta isnt a religion it is spirtual. its from the heart. it has its roots in Judism and in Christanity, but it can not be classifised as being a branch on either religion. It is simply a way of life a way of acting and His Majesty Jah Rastafari is the role model in which we should all try to act like. JAh Love

Peace

[Shaman420]

For me Rastafari is about victory, redemption, justice and bringing down babylon internally and externally.

[FunkyPhreshMama]

Great response Shaman420!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shaman420]

:) much thanks!

[Moon_Beam]

For me Rastafari is about victory, redemption, justice and bringing down babylon internally and externally.
Well said! I think this is along the lines of what I think rasta is.

I see Babylon and Zion as more spiritual places - you're there depending on what you are doing and what you believe in, rather than worshipping the 'correct' god or being the 'right' colour etc. People should all be one and if this happens and materialistic things are not considered the most important things in the world - but love, peace, freedom, friendship and happiness are then we will reach Zion. Plus the world would be a much better place in my opinion!

[yumyum2k5]

rasta to me.......means truth.

This world is a world based on confusion and lies, From governments, from the press, from media at large....and it can really get you down. you see so many people listening to what the latest rapper, or the latest rockstar has gotta say and then just copying them ya know? people are trying to mimic alot more today rather than trying to find who the person inside themselves is.

rasta to me.....roars truth. rasta says you shouldnt care what anybody thinks of you, and you shouldnt wear things or say things or act a certain way just because 'i'll look weird if i dont' because rasta to me...is about being true to yourself.

i dont like to say 'THIS IS RASTA!!!' because i believe its different for every person and its really not the rasta way to say 'this is rasta, if you dont do this your not rasta' because it should be about.....how you feel inside ya know?

There is a rasta holy book, of course the bible, but also the kebra nagast (the glory of the kings) which is basically the story of king solomon, and how the ark of the covenant went from him to his son menelik and it went to ethiopia where it now sits and it says of the rebirth of christ (haile selassie, jah rastafari) and i believe that book, and the belief that jah is the almighty are central to the rasta beliefs. If you dont believe jah rastafari is jesus reborn...then technically you wouldnt be rasta, but hey im no authority haha

if i could sum up 'what is rasta' in one sentence....it would be that rasta is truth, if you always do what feels right and always be true to yourself and be trustful in jah's wisdom above all else, thats rasta.

The kebra nagast it states 'he who feels it, knows it'

one love people, zion train is coming.

[Reefer Rogue]

Righteousness, equality, freedom, peace, unity, one love. This is Rasta to I.

[Adamist]

Most of what I believe Rastafari to be has already been said, but I'll give my 2 cents anyways...

Being a Rasta is being full of love, righteousness, freedom, unity, and the spirit of Jah. It is definitely about living a natural life-style, unlike the artificial world of Babylon. I think a main concept is truth, as in seeing through the lies Babylon brings us up believing in. The destruction of false values, the purification of the heart and soul, through meditation, prayer, the sacramental use of marijuana, music, & healthy eating (Rasta's eat food they call "Ital", which is mostly vegan & all natural). They are also against alcohol and smoking, except for the "holy ganja" of course. :)

What I know about Haile Selassie is that he's supposed to be descended from King Solomon and many believed him to be the reincarnation of Christ, although he himself never claimed to be... I've never been much into believing in a Messiah, so I suppose that's the only thing that separates me from a "true" Rasta.