Pathway to Religion, or Just a Way of Life

The prime belief of Rastafarians is that Haile Selassie I, is the living God for the black race, this is not just a religion, but has also been said to be a way of life. This movement originated in Africa and is often associated with poorer African American population. Rastafarianism has spread throughout the world no longer just in Africa or Jamaica. First founded in 1930, Haile Selassie I, whose name previous was Ras Tafari was the Black Emperor of Ethiopia. Ras Tafari was crowned King of Ethiopia on November 2, 1930 he was given the title of Emperor Haile Selassie I, Power of Trinity.

The name Jah is commonly used for God in the Rastafari religious movement. Orignating from Hebrew Rastafarians consider Haile Selassie I, the religious symbol for Jah. One of the most key doctrines of Rastafarians had been their expectation that they would one day return to Africa, yet Rastafarians praised Haile Selassie I, but it was well known that Haile Selassie I, was a devoted Christian and served only God. No one really knew how Haile Selassie I, felt , or thought about the whole Rastafarian movement. At one point some Rasta's went to the palace of Haile Selassie I to honor him, but they were turned away by officials, they was told to go away, which this did not make the Rasta's question their beliefs it made them stronger.

The Rasta says " cause God is not supposed to know he is a God". On August 27, 1975, Haile Selassie I, died. Rasta's didn't believe that when Haile Selassie I, was reported dead that he really was dead, they believe it was a trick of the media trying to bring their faith down. Rasta's still believe today that Haile Selassie I. has trodded on to the perfect flesh and sits high on Mount Zion where he awaits the time of judgement day. Haile Selassie I, always wore a Lion of Judah ring that was later given to legend reggae artist Bob Marley at the time of Selassie's death. The Lion of Judah represents Haile Selassie. Babylon is the rastafarian term for the white race potilical power the effort of Rasta is to try to remind blacks of their heritage, and have them stand up against Babylon.

Symbols of Rastafarians are colors red, gold, and green. The color red is a symbol of the blood shed in the history of the Rasta's. The gold represents the wealth of the homeland, and the color green represents beauty, of Ethiopia, which they call the promised land. The use of herbs is very extensive among most Rasta's not just for spiritual purposes, but for healing medical reasons, even herbs are used for things such as the common cold. Rasta's only eat foods in the rawest forms without salt, no condiments, or no types of preservatives. Dreadlocks is also a symbol for Rasta's it represents the Rasta Roots, and they never shave off the corner of their beard. Rastafarian religion or simply a way of life, it's all in what you believe.