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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 were originally black, anti-white racists.  They viewed black as the color of good and white as the color of evil.  The former belief was abandoned when Haile Selassie gave a speech to the United Nations on October 6th, 1963, completely denouncing racism.<ref>[http://www.nazret.com/history/him_un.php]H.I.M. Haile Selassie address to the Unted Nations Oct 6, 1963</ref>. Although it seems improbable that a single speech could accomplish this, bear in mind that Rastafarians literally believed that Haile Selassie was the second coming of Christ.

Rastafarians were originally black, anti-white racists.  They viewed black as the color of good and white as the color of evil.  The former belief was abandoned when Haile Selassie gave a speech to the United Nations on October 6, 1963, completely denouncing racism.<ref>[http://www.nazret.com/history/him_un.php] H.I.M. Haile Selassie address to the Unted Nations Oct 6th, 1963</ref>  Although it seems improbable that a single speech could accomplish this, bear in mind that Rastafarians literally believed that Haile Selassie was the second coming of Christ.

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 cannabis, 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 cannabis, citing in their defense several Bible verses:

: ''"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 in a ritual called a "Reasoning", 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>. However, Rastafarians do not consider the consumption of cannabis as necessary, allowing them to comply with local laws.

Although Rastafarians view ganja as a means to spiritual enlightenment in a ritual called a "Reasoning", 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>  However, Rastafarians do not consider the consumption of cannabis as necessary, allowing them to comply with local laws.

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

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