Could Rastas and Christians Really Unite?

[CanuckRasta]

First InI give most Ilaful welcomes to InI brother from the Tribe of Judah, Judah_B.

Just wanted to point out to truthseeker that Haile Selassie does not replace Christ as the Messiah, he is just an addition.

Also would like to agree with Bandit. Certainly examples such as us prove cooperation is possible, though if we tried to sit down and agree on a central theology, some problems might arise, lol.

One Love
Lij Marques Benjamin

[queenofsheba]

I just visited the rastafari forum for the first time. Today, most Ethiopians don't see Haile Selassie as divine and they even recognize that the genealogy tracing back to Solomon and Makeda (=me) is only meant symbolically. There is still someone alive who claims to be Rastafari's son: Mekbeb Abebe Welde.

The creed that the Ark of the Covenant is still in Axum is very much alive. I visited the church, it's called Saint Mary of Zion. The Ark is supposed to be in the little chapel behind the church. The angel of Exodus is supposed to live there.

[truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Judah B

Also InI do not worship the flesh...God is a Spirit, so He must be worshipped in Spirit. Rasta is not a colour thing, God does not see the flesh, but the heart of men. Remember the laws of man does not govern the ways of God, meaning mainstream christanity don't need to recognise InI prophet, it don't matter. Why? Becoz InI have Yesus Christ as InI Saviour and that is wot really matters.

Welcome to CR, Judah B.

This would be why Christianity and RasTafarI would not be able to unite. If this comment (which is straight to the heart of any matter, respectfully) is the foremost understanding of the RasTafarIan, then there would not be any conflict from the side of the RasTafarIan. Sounds to me that the RasTafarIan is Christian, even; brought into a fuller understanding through the prophecy of Emperor Haile Selassie I (I don't mean any disrespect if I am wrong or didn't say it right). The Christian would argue that there is none other than Jesus, whose teachings are best understood through Paul. Anything else is blasphemy.

[Judah_B]

I know it might of come across a bit tuff..but I was hoping that u wud undastand wot I meant, all that matters is having Yesus Christ as ur Lord and Saviour, if peeps say this and that, wots the point. Wot I do know is that, wot InI have in common...Is Yesus Christ. RasTaFarI to me(TTI) is Christain coz Sellassie I shewed InI. Even the queen of Sheba after being with King Solomon, made the peeps burn their idols, and were not to worship the sun and moon etc no more, but to worship the God of King Solomon, and they have been doing so ever since...Ethiopia is the last standing Independent Christain Nation. Also remember reading in the Acts of the Apostles of how Philip baptised the Ethiopian official. He is the first Ethiopian on record to have followed Christ, from that time, the Word of God has continued to grow.
No disrespect is meant But I have read the book, and I saw the 12 Tribes of Isreal, I didn't see Catholic's or the many other branches where ever they came from. I saw the disciples and the followers of Christ, and in the end times I saw the great multitudes that followed Christ, they were brought up to HIM, I also saw the 12 Tribes of Israel being sealed up, 12000 from each tribe making the number, 144,000.
And now that I write this I do see the other branches regardless of their names, like I said earlier Yesus Christ is Our Lord and Saviour. So InI are brethren and sistern, we all have a apart in the prophecy.

Blessed are they that see without believing for the same shall be saved.

Oh and one other thing before I get analysed sumone said sumthing about Luciano, Well I have a quote for ya...
"First let me give thanks to the Almighty Creator Yahweh I AM That I AM for making all things possible. Hail Yesus Christ the Redeeming Lamd that was slain.
Hail Emperor Haile Sellassie I The Conquering Lion who rule and reigns"
2001

PeAcE iN

[sparrow]

Due to the differences in theology, I usually prefer to keep some details of my faith between myself and my maker. The rest is just political, imo.

The holy spirit has also guided me in these matters, imo, through the sacred smoke.

As long as mainstream Christians continue to view the holy sacrament of marihuana as evil, I fail to see how the rasta and christian faith will ever unite.

lw

[Pathless]

Originally Posted by truthseeker

No one is going to risk going to hell just for the sake of empowerment.

I think that is the FUNNIEST thing I have heard in a long damn while...

Not sure why, but lemme venture an explanation: it seems to point to the fallacy of faith when used as a security blanket, as opposed to people who take faith as a jump-off point from which to do good works--those who are empowered by thier faith.

"No one is going to risk going to hell just for the sake of empowerment." I love it. I wish I had it on a bumpersticker or something.

Seriously, though, and to kinda speak to the issue at hand, Rastafari and Christianity... So, I've been peeking into Rastafari as a faith over the past week or so and, while I am intrigued, I am also perplexed. What intrigues me about Rasta is that it does seem to be a faith of individual empowerment and social change. I love that about it. The thing that strikes me as strange is all of the obscure Biblical prophecies and references. One question that comes to mind is, "Why Halie Salassie?" What's the deal with this Emperor of Ethiopa that he is revealed as God incarnate? So much of Reggae music, to me, seems to point to the divinity and inherent worth in each human being, so I don't get it--why elevate a dictator to status of Saviour?

Christians and Rastas uniting? I have to side with the nay-sayers on this one. Like truthseeker pointed out, Christians can't even stop disagreeing with themselves, so I find it highly unlikely that they will create a smorgasboard of faith with dreadlocked, ganja-tokin' soul rebels. And maybe that's a good thing.

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by Pathless

I think that is the FUNNIEST thing I have heard in a long damn while...

i think that was the night that Truthseeker sat down on the camp fire by mistake & said, "My buns are on fire" .

[truthseeker]

[tru]

Originally Posted by Judah_B

Ethiopia is the last standing Independent Christain Nation. Also remember reading in the Acts of the Apostles of how Philip baptised the Ethiopian official. He is the first Ethiopian on record to have followed Christ, from that time, the Word of God has continued to grow.
No disrespect is meant But I have read the book, and I saw the 12 Tribes of Isreal, I didn't see Catholic's or the many other branches where ever they came from. I saw the disciples and the followers of Christ, and in the end times I saw the great multitudes that followed Christ, they were brought up to HIM, I also saw the 12 Tribes of Israel being sealed up, 12000 from each tribe making the number, 144,000.
And now that I write this I do see the other branches regardless of their names, like I said earlier Yesus Christ is Our Lord and Saviour. So InI are brethren and sistern, we all have a apart in the prophecy.

Blessed are they that see without believing for the same shall be saved.

And blessed are they that believe without seeing.

I don't remember the exact book, but I do remember reading that the Ethiopian eunuch was likely of Jewish descent as many were spread abroad the known world during that time. And became a proselyte christian via the apostle Philip.

But I do find most of what you mentioned in my studies.

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

Are Rastas Nazarite's?

[CanuckRasta]

For the most part, yes. But I am not.

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

Originally Posted by CanuckRasta

For the most part, yes. But I am not.

What do consider yourself?
Is there any biblical name or reference for Rastas?
I know Samson in the bible was a "nazarite" from birth, would he be considered a Rasta If he lived today?

[Azure24]

I know this is not related to the topic but Judah B isn't really new just look at the joined...Though i do see this is only your 2nd post.

Sayonara!

[shadowman]

he was elevated to that level because it gave blacks hope to see soemone like him and learn about him, it helped give momentum to a movement alrerady in action with roots in garveyism, ethiopianism, and older african and caribbean revolts and revolutionary thought