What is Rasta?

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Question: What is Rasta?

Answer: Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican, formed the religion commonly called Rasta (Rastafarian). The crowning of Ras Tafari Makonnen (Haile Selassie I) as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" took place in Ethiopia in 1930. The use of marijuana (pot) as a "sacrament," prescribed by Rasta as an aid to meditation, is not a Biblical principle. The Bible also does not command the wearing of "dreadlocks" as a prescribed hairstyle as does Rasta.

Some of the beliefs of Rasta are undoubtedly true, as no religion is entirely a lie. However, the black separatism and the hatred of whites engendered by this movement certainly are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. Many view the belief in the superiority of the black race, as promoted by Rasta, with skepticism. We are all equal in God's eyes:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus . . ." (Galatians 3:28, NKJV)

You asked if Haile Selassie of Rasta was the highest honored emperor on Earth. Only a few million people, at most, revered Mr. Selassie, and there have been emperors who have had tens of millions of adherents (China's rulers, etc.), and since only a few outside of Africa (mostly the educational "elites" and "progressives" as communists like to call them) - were even aware of Mr. Selassie's existence. It is therefore not true that he was the "highest honored emperor" on the planet - even though he was no doubt highly esteemed by those who believed in Rasta.

Marcus Garvey claimed that Ras Tafari Makonnen (Haile Selassie) was essentially God in the flesh, the second coming of Jesus, the Messiah and was worshiped as a god. Furthermore, quoting from a Rasta-related web site:

"To greater represent the truth, Rasta rejects the Bible used by most Christians, opting instead for a 'black man's Bible' known as the Holy Piby."

Jesus, when he came two thousand years ago, was literally God in the flesh (or God dwelling in flesh) and was the ONLY begotten son of God the Father. Based on many scriptures, Mr. Selassie of Rasta was not and could not have been "god in the flesh."

Furthermore, when the TRUE second coming of Jesus occurs it will not happen secretly nor take place in a far-flung part of the world unbeknownst to the vast majority of humanity. The WHOLE WORLD will know when Jesus is coming back to earth ---- and that he is doing so with POWER and with the authority to set up the kingdom of God on earth:

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a SHOUT, with the VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL, and with the TRUMPET OF GOD . . . " (1Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV)

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse . . . He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

"And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations . . . And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11, 13-16, NKJV)

Based on the Bible, one must reject Rasta and Rastafarian beliefs.

Written by:  Clay Willis
edited by BibleStudy.org
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What is Rasta?