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2006-12-11 15:17:17 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And why the ignorance as far as thinking ALL Rastas smoke herb? it's so much more than that-
2006-12-11 15:40:26 · update #1
I don't think people respect the religion. when people think of Rastafarians, they think dreadlocks and marijuana. in reality the religion is so much more than that, but it is still a little strange.
2006-12-11 15:21:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rastafari is not a highly organized religion. Some Rasta's say it is not a religion, but a way of life.
Most Rasta's are not in a sect or denomination.
In 1996 Rastafari movement was given Consultative Status by the United Nations.
Christianity rose from Judaism, the same way Rastafari has risen from Christianity.
Rasta's except Ja, or Jehova in the Bible.
2006-12-11 23:36:25 · answer #2 · answered by smoothsoullady 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Official Religions are religions officially endorsed by a state. Rastafari is not officially endorsed by any state as being its religion. (Jamaica does not officially endorse any religion and if they did they would probably have to take into consideration that 80% of the population is Christian. In Ethiopia 61% of the population is Christian. The only reason I mention these two countries is because these would probably be the countries with the highest percentile of Rastafarians.)
2006-12-11 23:32:23 · answer #3 · answered by The Seeker 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suspect it's because most people only know it as "the religion that worships marijuana" and marijuana smokers, while increasingly accepted, are not generally admired in US society. Also, it may have to do with a lack of publicity -- my husband is under the impression that there are very few Rastafarians. So basically, public impression would seem to be that there are (to paraphrase) 6 people smoking pot in the corner and saying it's religion. I think it would gain more respect if the public were educated to the tenets, etc involved.
2006-12-11 23:29:13 · answer #4 · answered by silverkitte1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Who says it's not? The religious practices of Rastafari have been upheld in United States Court, to an extent:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A95003
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act precludes the federal government from prosecuting people on federal lands who possess marijuana for religious reasons. A three-member panel of the court ruled that under the 1993 law, the government can create exceptions to the Controlled Substances Act and other laws.
According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Bennie Tores Guerrero (aka Ras Iyah Ben Makahna), a Rastafarian for nearly 20 years, was arrested at the Guam airport and charged with importing five ounces of marijuana and 10 ounces of marijuana seeds. The court ruled that it was legal for Guerrero to possess the marijuana for use in a Rastafarian religious ceremony, but that it wasn't necessary for him to import the drug. "Rastafarianism does not require importation of a controlled substance, which increases its availability," the justices wrote.
2006-12-11 23:41:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Smoking the Ganja
2006-12-11 23:19:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ask the guy who says that all religions are really cults.
2006-12-11 23:20:22 · answer #7 · answered by TCFKAYM 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't know there was an official list somewhere.
2006-12-11 23:24:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋