What Do Rastafarians Actually Believe?
There are few religions that are as misunderstood as the Rastafarian movement. Learn more about Rastafarians and their relationship with marijuana.
What Do Rastafarians Actually Believe?
If you think of a typical marijuana smoker, chances are you’ll imagine a Rastafarian. The Rastafarian movement is one of the most misunderstood religions out there, with many people viewing their religious beliefs as little more than an excuse to smoke as much marijuana as they can! Marijuana seeds and the plant itself play a very important part in the way they practice their religion, but there is much more to it than that. There’s plenty of confusion about what Rastafarians actually believe, and it is ‘high time’ that a lot of the misconceptions were cleared up! Here are some of the major tenets of this very unusual religion.
Jah, Haile Selassie and Jesus Christ
The Rastafarian movement is an offshoot of Judaism and Christianity. All branches of Christianity are waiting for the Second Coming, but for Rastafarians, it has happened already! They believe in the God of the Bible (they call Him Jah), and believe that His most recent earthly incarnation was in the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I. Even though Haile Selassi died in 1975, Rastafarians believe that he will return to unite his followers and lead them to the promised land of Zion some day.
Marijuana and Religious Ritual
For Rastafarians, smoking marijuana isn’t a way to get high – it’s a sacrament, a spiritual ritual to get closer to God. They regularly hold gatherings, known as “reasonings”, where a group of Rastafarians will gather together, smoke marijuana, and discuss all manner of religious and philosophical issues. Rastafarians often combine smoking with Bible reading, believing that with their minds enhanced by marijuana they can gain a better understanding of the word of God.
Using marijuana for religious purposes isn’t unique to Rastafarians, of course. Marijuana seeds and marijuana itself have been found in all kinds of different religions, ranging from Taoism and Sufism to the modern day religion of Cantheism. But few religions have placed marijuana so centrally to their spiritual practices as the Rastafarian movement!
Marijuana and the Bible
Some might be skeptical about the scriptural support for a marijuana habit, but Rastafarians insist that the Bible makes many references to their preferred substance. Most prominently, they cite a passage in Revelations that they believe refers to marijuana:
“the river of life proceeded to flow from the throne of God, and on either side of the bank there was the tree of life, and the leaf from that tree is for the healing of the nations”
There are even some more direct references to marijuana seeds and leaves throughout the Bible in certain translations, including it as a key ingredient in anointing oils and as an incense to be burnt in honour of God.
The Rastafarian movement may have found its most popular expression through reggae music, but close study reveals it to be a complex and profound religion that is worthy of closer study, a fascinating mixture of Jamaican culture, Christianity and a certain very special herb!
Robert Kane is the web editor of Sensible Seeds. Based in the UK, the company offers you the chance to buy marijuana seeds online at very competitive prices. They also offer a wealth of other products to browse as well as online articles and forum discussions.
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