what does Rastafarian's believe? what is Rasta mean?
348049
They believe that Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari), former emperor of Ethiopia is God (Jah) incarnate. Some symbols of their religion include dreadlocks and smoking marijuana (called ganja),
543481
you can go here http://www.lyricsbox.com/baby-rasta-lyrics-hay-de-mi-6pf9tqn.html
1057619
Yes they are and I can prove it, The whole bible prophecies the history of blacks, blacks have always seen the similarities but never made the connection. Didn't you know blacks during the slave trade was know by Muslims as "Yahoodee" meaning tribe of Israel? Did you know at of all the people on the face of the Earth who claim to be Hebrews would envy the Ashanti's. The name mean people for the land of Ashan in Judah? Did you it was a place during the slave trade call the "Land of Judah" by the french? Did you ever hear of the Falasha's or beta Israel, Ibo's, Lemba, Yoruba, Fanti, etc. Were call Israelites by Muslims over 1000 years ago? Look it up the Hebrew/Jewish customs in Africa, you will find lots of info. Especially in on the west coast of Africa.
1039329
Santeria is interesting stuff, i am not fluent in spanish, so i could only pick up a little at the local botanica.  But trance possession by the Orisha is some pretty intense stuff! It is NOT mumbojumbo... it is a real way to connect with the divinity and with the ancestors, once you are "ridden" you will understand what i am talking about....
703337
Rastafarianism\n\n By\n\nEdward T. Pettiford\n\n \n\nRastafarianism is a religion that was created in the early 1900 hundreds due to the social and poor economic conditions of the Black people in Jamaica. The Rastafarian religious and political movement has come under great scrutiny by society because of it’s beliefs and traditions. They have been referred to as a violent cult not only in Jamaica, but also in America and Canada, where many of the members and affiliates have migrated. In my opinion these myths are not accurate, and I believe this religion is no different than any other religion of today. \n\nThe followers of Rastafarianism believe that Haile Selassie the former Emperor of Ethiopia, is the Black Messiah who appeared in the flesh for the redemption of all Blacks exiled in the world of white oppressors. The movement views Ethiopia as the Promised Land. The group has no individual leadership. Most of the members are men from thirty-five to fifty-five years of age. The older members are either ex-Graveyites or sympathizers of his movement. Women play an important role in the Rastafarianism today, but the majority are followers of their husbands. In 1965 the membership was essentially lower class, but this is no longer the case. The Rastafarians were once considered "products of the slum," but Rastafarians now can be found among the middle class. They are found among the elite, some are students at prestigious University of the West Indies; some are in the medical and legal professions and other upper-class occupations. \n\nThe Rastafarians have their roots in the teachings of Jamaican Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who in the 1930’s preached a message of Black self-empowerment and initiated the "Back to Africa" movement. This movement called for all Blacks to return to their ancestral home, specifically Ethiopia. Marcus Garvey taught self-reliance in Jamaica where he was born, as well as abroad and preached a "back to Africa movement" consciousness. Marcus Garvey in 1920 said "look to Africa, when a Black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is at hand". Many people thought the prophecy was fulfilled when in 1930; Ras Tafari was crowned emperor Haile Selassie 1 of Ethiopia and proclaimed "king of kings, lord of lords, and conquering lion of the Tribe of Judah." Haile Selassie claimed to be a direct descendant of King David, the225th ruler in an unbroken line of Ethiopian Kings from the time of Solomon and Sheba. He and all his followers took great pride in being Black and wanted to regain the Black heritage that was lost by loosing faith straying from the holy ways.\n\nTheir unique hairstyle known as the "dreadlocks" which many people feel is wild and unattractive is one of the reasons the Rastafarians obtained a negative image in society. Rasta, which is short for Rastafarians, adopted the dreadlocks while in the hill country in Jamaica where the movement developed its early characteristics. Another trait that is contributed to the Rastafarian’s negative image is their use of "ganja" (marijuana) in their rituals. These two particular traditions have deemed the Rastafarians as an unacceptable society by Westerners, as well as the people from within there own community. \n\nReligions always reflect the social and geographical environment out of which they emerge like Rastafarianism. For example, the use of marijuana as a sacrament and aid to meditation is logical in Jamaica where a particular plant "ganja" grows freely. Ganja is used for religious purposes for Rastas. Rasta’s believe that its use is written in the Bible in Psalms 104:14, "He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the service of man". The use of this herb is very extensive among the Rasta’s not only for spiritual purposes as in their Nyabingi celebration, but also for medicinal purposes for colds and such. The following are a few
785018
what do you believe in?
812935
It can mean hope and peace also, which is what the religion it's based on believes in.\n\nIt can be like a good luck charm.
526311
"Religion is commonly defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief." \n\nScience can be your religion if you want it to be. Not all religions believe in a God, it is more about a life style. Religion is something you hold great truth to. It is the most important thing in your life. It is what you live for. That is the way I understand it anyway.
1024863
I don't know anything about the Nigerian guy.\n\nGrace can be defined as God's love for us.\n\nJesus Christ, who is God, loves us. This is grace. A gift from God, we cannot earn it.\n\nIt is through the grace of God that we are justified and can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.\n\nWith love in Christ.
744831
1. The roots of the Afro-Cuban religion of Santería lie in the animist beliefs of the Yoruba people of present day Nigeria. In Santería, there are seven orishas that are worshipped (orisha is just the Yoruba word for god). Note that potencia (power) is just another term for orisha. Here are the seven:\nEleggua \nObatala \nOloddumare \nOshun \nOya \nYemalla \nShango\nhttp://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/sevenorishas.htm\n\n2. On the internet, you will see inconsistencies from one website to another. For example, the website above shows the Nigerian spelling of Shango, whereas in Hispanoamerica he is referred to as Changó (because the "sh" sound does not exist in Spanish). Similarly Oshun is Ochún. This next site lists ten Orishas, but omits some of the above. It contains useful illustrations but does contain "howlers" e.g. "Santeria ... originated on the shores of the Nile River in present-day Nigeria". \nhttp://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~scintech/mercury/SanteriaExplanation.htm\n\n3. In order to retain their African beliefs whilst avoiding repression from their Catholic masters, slaves linked each orisha with a Christian saint. That way the Spanish were duped into believing that their slaves were worshipping saints (santos in Spanish, and hence the name: santería). For example the male god Changó is linked with St. Barbara.\n\n4. Santería has a stronger influence on popular Hispanoamerican culture than you might think. There are many songs about Changó, including "Santa Barbara Bendita" by the Cuban artiste Celina González (and covered by many others). The chorus to that song goes "Que viva Changó" (long live Changó). In New York there is a band playing "alternative Latin" music called King Changó. The two late, great, US-based Latin musicians Tito Puente and Celia Cruz are believed to have been adherents of Santería, and so on\n\n5. The best website on Santería was www.santeria.com. It had all you would need to know. Unfortunately it no longer exists. Probably the next best thing, from a knowledge point of view,  is wikipedia (if you like that kind of thing).\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santeria\n\n6. If you wish to learn more because you are interested in joining the religion, then this site might be useful, but be careful with the navigation at the foot of the page.\nhttp://www.geocities.com/athens/sparta/1332/greeting.html\n\n7. This webpage has links to various sites, which you may find useful, but I'll leave it to you to explore.\nhttp://www.iaswww.com/ODP/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/African/Diasporic/Lucumi,_Ocha,_Santeria\n\nI hope this is useful.
1018174
Paganism is a general term referring to most earth-revering religions and ideologies that often also admire/worship multiple gods and practice magick.  Actually, neo-paganism more accurately describes most modern forms, but it's a bit cumbersome to say and write.  Pagans are those who see the earth as the giver of life, sometimes representing a spiritual being with the same purpose.  Pagans can fall into many categories.  One of these is Wicca.\n\nWicca is a religion that was started by Gerald Gardener in the middle of the last century.  Wiccans see the form of the Deity that controls everything as having two aspects, male and female.  It is a religion that teaches the balance among all things living.  Also, reincarnation is believed by most Wiccans because of the cycles of life, death and rebirth that occur in nature.  Wiccans believe, as many pagans do, in the power of our minds to influence the world around us through ritual and spells.  We appeal to the Goddess and God and the elements for help with this.  \n\nTo find out more, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm\n\nNow, agnostics believe that there is "something out there," but that no religions created by humans have the capability to fully explain what that is and what it wants from us.  Most believe that if they live good lives, that should be enough, which I don't see why it shouldn't be.  \n\nAtheists, btw, believe that there is NOT anything out there controlling the universe and its occupants.  They attribute everything to scientific explanations.
762693
I am unsure about the Kabbalists beliefs in this sorry\nbut as a spiritualist medium i have to say that i disagree with the theory that some dont go to the light or that they have unfinished buisness\nwhat people get confused with is ghosts ... they are not spirit , they are simply energy that has remained\nwhen we die we are met by spirit , we would have no reason or want to cling to this life in my opinion xx
567918
It means that we should have TOTAL faith in God that He will provide for all of our needs. Just as the animals that He has created do not worry about their needs and what will come tomorrow, neither should we. We should always trust in Him completely.\n\nAdditionally, this statement if meant for believers, so if they do not believe in God, then ferris bueller's comment about the starving children in Africa have no bearing on God's promise. You can't have faith in something that you do not believe in. \n\nAlso, for those who do believe, they still must have faith. Worry-warts sometimes cause more harm to themselves by trying to solve the problem quickly, as opposed to letting God solve it. Like, for instance, spending money on lottery tickets--trying to get rich quick--as opposed to spending the money on a bag of rice and some bread or flour (just an example).
589923
is a system of divination that originated in West Africa among the Yoruba people. The system is also practiced among believers in Lucumi, (sometimes referred to as Santería), Candomblé, and similarly transplanted Orisa'Ifa lineages in the New World.
42128
I hate to tell you this, but, Voodoo is a monotheistic religion without spells (Non-African version) and the Voodoo doll everyone seems to know so much about is only used to do spells for themselves... different parts of the body are assigned to different things, like wealth and of the such. Only people who have no idea about Voodoo dolls use them for negative purposes... or... try. It doesn't actually work. As for African Voodoo, it's almost the same thing... just no doll used. Their spells are made in their native languages and are used to help their tribes. These are polytheistic practitioners. Voodoo originated in Africa, after all, where tribal religions still flourish bountifully. So, no. I have no experience with Voodoo spells, since I did not ship myself to Africa and learned the language of the area I was in along with their Voodoo... which is only actually PRACTICED by the MedicineMan/Woman/Shaman of the tribe.
898465
If you had grabbed a dictionary yourself you would know that it has several meanings:\n\n1.\na. One who adheres to the religion of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.\nb. Such persons considered as a group; the unconverted.\n2.\na. One who is regarded as irreligious, uncivilized, or unenlightened.\nb. Such persons considered as a group.\nhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/heathen\n\nIf you mean it in the sense of irreligious, then I am a heathen and proud of it. But I do not subscribe to the assumptions you attribute to me. I do not "know" there is no god (what do you mean by god, for one thing). \n\nI will find religion when I see an unmistakable sign of it, like all the seas and rivers turning into blood (Christianity) or the one-eyed dajaal who will ride the enormous donkey aroung the world (Islam) etc, etc.
552436
you dont have to be dread to be rasta,this is not a dreadslock thing,but a divine conception from the heart.