Changes

'''Rastafari movement''' members worship former [[Ethiopia | Ethiopian]] emperor [[Haile Selassie I]] as an incarnation of the one true living [[God]], following a syncretism of [[Judeo-Christian]] values and [[Africa]]n practices. The movement's name comes from the [[Amharic]] title ''Ras'' ("head")(occasionally rendered as 'duke') and Haile Selassie's given name, Tafari. Rastafarianism is most common in [[Jamaica]].

'''Rastafari movement''' members worship former [[Ethiopia]]n emperor [[Haile Selassie I]] as an incarnation of the one true living [[God]], following a syncretism of [[Judeo-Christian]] values and [[Africa]]n practices. The movement's name comes from the [[Amharic]] title ''Ras'' ("head")(occasionally rendered as 'duke') and Haile Selassie's given name, Tafari. Rastafarianism is most common in [[Jamaica]].

The movement started in the early part of the 20th century, heavily influenced by the orator and Black nationalist, Marcus Garvey. Initially, the movement was based upon the belief that all people of [[African]] descent would eventually return to Ethiopia, and that White civilization was "[[Babylon]]" - a metaphor for all evil and wickedness.. Although beliefs vary among members of the movement, a more common focus is the "Africanization of Jamaica". <ref>Appiah & Gates, ''The Dictionary of Global Culture'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1997</ref>

The movement started in the early part of the 20th century, heavily influenced by the orator and Black nationalist, Marcus Garvey. Initially, the movement was based upon the belief that all people of [[African]] descent would eventually return to Ethiopia, and that White civilization was "[[Babylon]]" - a metaphor for all evil and wickedness.. Although beliefs vary among members of the movement, a more common focus is the "Africanization of Jamaica".<ref>Appiah & Gates, ''The Dictionary of Global Culture'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1997</ref>

Rastafarians meet on a weekly basis for a time of worship and prayers, though they do not have a specific holy day for such services. As [[Lincoln Thompson]] sang: ''"Sunday morning, the heathen running to the temple, during the week they are the devil's disciple."''<ref>Lincoln Thompson, Rootsman Blues, 1983</ref>Part of the service often consists of smoking ganja ([[marijuana]]) a plant with great spiritual significance to them.  They support the legalization of marijuana, citing in their defense several Bible verses:

Rastafarians meet on a weekly basis for a time of worship and prayers, though they do not have a specific holy day for such services. As [[Lincoln Thompson]] sang: ''"Sunday morning, the heathen running to the temple, during the week they are the devil's disciple."''<ref>Lincoln Thompson, Rootsman Blues, 1983</ref> Part of the service often consists of smoking ganja ([[marijuana]]) a plant with great spiritual significance to them.  They support the legalization of marijuana, citing in their defense several Bible verses:

: ''"He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the services of man."'' - ''Psalm 104:14''

: ''"He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the services of man."'' - ''Psalm 104:14''

: ''"Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."'' - ''Proverbs 15:17''

: ''"Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."'' - ''Proverbs 15:17''

Although Rastafarians view ganja as a means to spiritual enlightenment, it had already been a significant part of the culture of the lower working class in [[Jamaica]] for some time before the 1930s. <ref>William F. Lewis, ''Soul Rebels'', Waveland Press 1993</ref>

Although Rastafarians view ganja as a means to spiritual enlightenment, it had already been a significant part of the culture of the lower working class in [[Jamaica]] for some time before the 1930s.<ref>William F. Lewis, ''Soul Rebels'', Waveland Press 1993</ref>

They also regard hair styles as having religious significance, providing for the popularity of [[dreadlocks]] amongst its adherants, citing the [[Mosaic law]]:

They also regard hair styles as having religious significance, providing for the popularity of [[dreadlocks]] amongst its adherants, citing the [[Mosaic law]]:

: ''"They shall not make [[baldness]] upon their head."'' - ''Leviticus 21:5''

: ''"They shall not make [[baldness]] upon their head."'' - ''Leviticus 21:5''

Rastafarians also eat only ital food and abstain from [[alcohol]], [[milk]], [[coffee]], and preparing food with [[salt]]. <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/customs_1.shtml] BBC - Religion and Ethics </ref> They also frequently avoid or minimize the consumption of meat.

Rastafarians also eat only ital food and abstain from [[alcohol]], [[milk]], [[coffee]], and preparing food with [[salt]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/customs_1.shtml] BBC - Religion and Ethics</ref> They also frequently avoid or minimize the consumption of meat.

==References==

==References==