Rastafarianism is a religious movement that began in Jamaica in the 1930s. The movement takes its name from Ras Tafari Makonnen, who was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia in 1930. His followers began to call him Jah (short for Jehovah) and came to see him as the messiah promised in the Bible to deliver his people to a promised land.
Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie was the living God and that Ethiopia in Africa is the Promised Land. Rastafarians consider the exile of the black race from Ethiopia as captivity or slavery. They see themselves as the chosen people and reject Western or “Babylonian” society, which they see as oppressive.
The roots of Rastafarianism lie in the philosophy of black empowerment from Jamaica’s slums in the 1920s and 30s. Marcus Garvey, a political activist who led the “Back to Africa” movement, inspired Leonard Howell to declare that Haile Selassie was the messiah and forerunner of a new age. Rastas, as the followers were known, adopted dreadlocks and grew beards as symbols of their new identity.
Rastafarians believe that the Bible has been corrupted over time and so they rely on additional scriptures. These include the Ethiopian national epic Kebra Negast, which tells the story of Ethiopia’s Solomonic dynasty founded by Menelik I, the supposed child of Solomon and the queen of Sheba. Rastas also study the African tribes of Israelite heritage and the prophecies of Marcus Garvey.
The main principles of Rastafarianism include:
- God (known as Jah) lives within all people as eternal spirit.
- Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia is the living God.
- Black oppression will be reversed with the repatriation of black people to Africa.
- Rejection of Western (“Babylonian”) corruption of true spirituality.
- Cannabis smoking is used for spiritual enlightenment.
- Dreadlocks represent a sign of the covenant with Jah.
Rastafarians follow strict dietary laws called “Ital.” This involves eating natural, unprocessed foods and avoiding meat. Pork, shellfish, milk, alcohol, coffee, soda, and flavored/processed foods are all prohibited. Most Rastas are vegetarian or vegan.
Music plays a central role in Rastafarian worship, helping people connect with Jah. Reggae music grew out of the Rastafarian culture in Jamaica and expresses its messages and beliefs. Bob Marley became Rastafarianism’s most famous adherent and brought reggae to an international audience.
Rastafarian worship practices focus on prayer, reasoned discussion, and marijuana smoking. Rastas reject traditional churches and worship communally to the rhythms of hand drums and chanting. They study the Bible through group discussions focused on its true meaning beyond the “corruption” of Western churches.
Rastafarianism has no formal organization or membership. Most Rastas live in Jamaica although it has followers worldwide. Estimates of worldwide Rastafarian population range from 700,000 to 1 million people.
There are several main groups or “mansions” within Rastafarianism:
- Nyahbinghi – The oldest mansion focusing on Haile Selassie I as God incarnate. They worship through music and righteous behavior.
- Bobo Ashanti – Founded in the 1950s, the most conservative and isolated branch. Male members grow long beards and carry staffs.
- Twelve Tribes of Israel – Formed in 1968, the most liberal branch focused on Rasta’s principles more than Haile Selassie. Allow dreadlocks to be cut off.
Rastafarianism faced oppression in Jamaica during the 20th century, but has greatly influenced culture and society. Rasta imagery is now widely used in marketing and tourism industries. However, Rastas complain about the commercialization of their faith.
Here are some key things the Bible teaches about the main elements of Rastafarianism:
God
The Bible clearly teaches there is only one God, who exists eternally as three distinct persons – God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19).
God cannot be identified with any created being, as Rastas claim about Haile Selassie. Isaiah 44:6 declares: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.”
Jesus Christ
Rastafarians do not accept Jesus as the Messiah or as divine in any unique sense. However, the Bible repeatedly affirms Jesus as the promised Messiah (Isaiah 53:5-6; Luke 24:27; John 1:41) and as sharing full deity with God the Father (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Philippians 2:6).
Ethiopia
Rastas view Ethiopia as their spiritual home and believe a time will come when they will return to live there. However, the Bible does not assign any particular spiritual status to Ethiopia. God’s promise to restore Israel refers to the Jewish people, not Africans or Rastafarians (Jeremiah 33:7-9).
Repatriation to Africa
Rastafarians look forward to a future time when black people return en masse to live in Africa. The Bible, however, does not predict such a repatriation. Old Testament prophecies about Israel’s restoration refer specifically to the Jewish people returning to their land (Ezekiel 34:13).
Western Society
Rastafarians condemn Western society and institutions as evil “Babylon.” But the Bible does not equate any society or culture with evil Babylon. While identifying moral failures, the Bible values orderly society (Romans 13:1-7) and does not command God’s people to fully withdraw from culture.
Dietary Laws
Rastafarian dietary rules have no biblical basis. The Bible teaches that no food is spiritually unclean (Mark 7:14-19; Acts 10:9-15). Christians have freedom to eat meat or be vegetarian according to personal conscience (Romans 14:1-4).
Cannabis
Some Rastafarians use cannabis as a sacrament to get closer to God. But the Bible never endorses drug use for spiritual purposes. Self-control, sobriety, and a sound mind are biblical virtues (1 Peter 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:7).
Haile Selassie
Rastafarians considered Haile Selassie, former emperor of Ethiopia, to be the Messiah. He did not claim to be divine and identified himself as a Christian. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ alone qualifies as God’s Messiah (Luke 24:27) and that no new Messiah will come (Hebrews 9:28).
In summary, Rastafarianism’s core beliefs about God, humanity, society, and salvation differ greatly from biblical Christianity. The Bible does not support the Rasta view that Haile Selassie was the Messiah or that Africa is the promised land for black repatriation.
Christians should view Rastafarianism as an opportunity to communicate biblical truths about Jesus Christ as the one true path to knowing God. Directing Rastas to Jesus’ definitive revelation of Himself as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) is the most loving way to interact with this religious movement.