A Sociological View of Rastafarianism

Around the world there are countless religions being practiced, and each retains their own set of viewpoints on topics discussed throughout history. Today the two religions of focus are Rastafarianism and Buddhism, and the topics are ecology, sustainability, and the environment. Whereas Buddhism and Rastafarianism appear quite different in their terms of environmental greed, they show important similarities in their values on sustainability and the physical environment. Before discussing their values, a brief history on each religion, as one is widely known while the other has a much smaller following.

There is no formal leadership role in Rastafarianism it simply exists with a following. The Rastafarians believe deeply in the use of marijuana in every sense. They try to stay as far away from alcohol though as they believe it leads to addiction and abuse, essentially the opposite of what Catholics believe in. Rastas believe in the use of cannabis and often promote its use through versus and scriptures like, “The herb is the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2) and “Eat every herb of the land” (Exodus 10:12). However contrary to popular belief, Rastas do not condemn the use of cannabis simply to get high, they use it for rituals, and ceremonial practices that they believe bring them closer to zion, as it makes them more peaceful. In fact Rastafarians truly believe that marijuana is a gift from god that is to be used to bring themselves closer to a god like person. Rastas tend to smoke when they believe they need insight from jah (God). Rastafaris also do not believe in the use of any other recreational drug to get high unless it is a

The Rastafari movement is a positive movement that promotes peace amongst all, self-respect, self -awareness, and respect for others.

Christianity and Rastafarianism are both rooted in Judaism and draw from the Hebrew sacred scriptures. Rastafarianism evolved as a reaction to the Christianity that was imposed upon African-American slaves and their descendents. There are several other aspects in which these two religions are similar, the purpose of this paper is to explore some of those similarities.

While, as a Jamaican descent my family has a more dependent deposition and most Jamaican families have patriarchal ties. Both culture side has a strong belief in Christianity; however, my Jamaican family is more liberated and not held down by the deep-rooted conditioning of Christianity instilled in by slave owners. With Jamaicans have an understanding from Rastafari education, many have a deeper connection to the

"Justice and equality by any means necessary" was said in one of the most controversial speeches in history by a Nation of Islam superior named Malcolm X. The pursuit of peace and justice has been sought after in almost every major religion and culture. The meaning of peace and liberation within the Nation of Islam is no different than any other oppressed or mistreated group of people. However the way the Nation of Islam was said to market its strategy for peace and justice of mostly African Americans was by preaching violent and even oppressive behavior to its followers. Leaders such as Louis Farrakhan and Malcolm X were the front runners of the controversial undertone of the Nation of Islam during the civil rights movement which was considered

The Rastafari, Jediism and The Raelian Movements are all smaller new religions that believe in some type of force. One is they have ethical beliefs as well as code of conducts even though they do not share the same beliefs they all have their own set that they believe in and live by. They all have a set of community because all it takes a group of likeminded people to become a community and eventually a religion in most aspects, there are always a few people that believe and have a passion the same thing and live by their chosen ethics. These movements they all share is they all believe in some type of God, sprit or force. Rastafari is a movement that believe in the Black race almost everything has to do with the color of their skin from their

Rastafarians split from organized religion, but hold onto their Christian faith by interpreting the Bible for themselves in new unique ways. "This is what Rastafarian "theology" is about: taking the discourse into intellectual landscapes beyond narrow theological hermeneutics and exegesis, whose methods of argumentation are considered Christian-specific and predetermination in that tradition." (Nettleford 313)

Rastafari is an African religion that is still relatively new. The religion was developed in the 1930s in Jamaica after Haile Selassie was named the King of Ethiopia. The followers of this religion believe that Selassie is God and that he will return all of the black people displaced from slavery and colonization to Africa. Bob Marley’s music and success helped spread the religion. The Rastafarians believe that black people are the chosen people of God. Some of the religious practices in the religion include smoking and inhaling marijuana. The purpose of the marijuana is to increase a person’s spiritual state of mind and awareness. Most Rastafarians have long

When she first lands in Jamaica in 2008, Raboteau voices her reasoning for visiting the island: “I knew this Zion was a holy place, a dwelling to roost, a country that was supposed to offer some kind of cure for the long disease of slavery. Maybe I would find the Zion they sang about in Jamaica” (p. 66). The reggae music of Bob Marley, a genre that speaks of peace and freedom, was surely one of the factors that attracted Raboteau to experience Jamaica for herself.

There a lot of things in this world that can define a person as an individual like by your hair, your race, and background one of those things is your religion in some cultures of religion is one of the most important aspects in the life the religions that are practice in countries that are religions and there's even religion better practice among just few people there's religion that worship a mighty powerful God and there's even religions that even worship animals and did my research on a lot of religions of Maine to religious now like to compare and contrast is Rastafari in handling I find these two religions very interesting because of their origin, culture, and traditions.

Historical and Ethnographical Study of the Rastafari Religion The Rastafari people are a group of (primarily) men that originated in Jamaica, especially in and around Kingston, who believe in being repatriated to a designated homeland in Africa. Through their reinterpretation of the bible, an ascetic-leaning lifestyle, and heavy influence of previous Revivalist religions and African Myal traditions, they have carved a religion that is worldly, conscientious, and , now, world renouned. Icons such as Bob Marley, spliffs, their red, gold, and green flag, and their memorable accent make these people very interesting to listen to, and definitely assist in disseminating their belief structure throughout

Rastafari is, before it is anything else, a way of life. It offers approaches and answers to real problems black people face in daily living; it promotes spiritual resilience in the face of oppressive poverty and underdevelopment. It produces art, music and cultural forms, which can be universally recognized and appreciated. More important, Rastafari provides a positive self-image, an alternative to people who need and cannot find or accept one elsewhere. Even with its black foundation and orientation, Rastafarianism is open to anyone, of any race, who chooses to discover and is able to accept it.

Garvey established the UNIA in Jamaica in the year 1914, two years later he left for the United States in order to gain more momentum for his movement and spread the African unity he had started in Jamaica. Before leaving Jamaica, Garvey made a prophecy of sorts to his followers: “Look into Africa for the crowning of a black king. He shall be the Redeemer” (Barrett, 67). From this prediction stems most of the discrepancy between Garveyites and Rastafarians, something I will discuss later in this paper.

Like in the earlier years, it can be seen in this story that Christianity was the most dominant and highly accepted religion in Jamaica. Having contrasting beliefs and practices, individuals would be shunned and ostracized. The author illustrates this idea by showing how Darren’s passionate beliefs in Rastafarianism had resulted in him being kicked out of his house. He was told to “never to come back until he had given up that Rasta foolishness.” Today, the Caribbean has become religiously diverse with a tolerance for different