(L) GARVEY... a prophet of Rastafari, but not a supporter. (R) SELASSIE... said he was no god
WHILE I am — at the present time at least — very comfortable in my atheistic beliefs, I am open to the possibility that my very strong convictions can change one day. After all, while I was a Christian, I was also as convinced as now that I will never change. Yet, I must say that if the day should ever come that I should one day be a theist, I cannot see how I could ever become a Rastafarian.
One of the reasons I gave up my belief in traditional organised religions like Christianity is I just cannot help but think logically. As such, while I do respect those who have chosen Rasta as their faith, I really don't think that the day will ever come that I will do the same.
Look at this: Rastafarians consider the last emperor of Ethiopia as god. I still cannot see how anybody can think this when the man himself made it very clear, during an interview that he gave to CBS, that he was not a god, but a man, like anybody else. I saw where some Rastafarians were saying that Selassie is god; but not even he knows it to be so.
Rastafarians have a few "prophets". One of their most revered is Marcus Garvey. Now, I would think that any religion's prophet would be a supporter of that religion. Yet, Garvey is on record as having said some very uncharitable things about Rastafari. If one of the religion's chief "prophets" thinks so little of the faith, why should little me think any more of it?
Two of the central pillars of Rastafari are the belief in both reparation and repatriation. I must say that I find these beliefs very unattractive. Reparations are impossible; the Europeans have no good reason, no will and no means to pay the kind of money being demanded of them. As for repatriation, that will never happen either. Most Rastafarians, I am sure, really don't want to go back to Africa anyway. Why then should I also believe in a lost cause?
Many Rastafarians believe that smoking ganja will enable better communication with Selassie. However, everything that I know about smoking tells me that it is bad for my health. Even if I didn't smoke, chances are, if I was to become a Rasta, I would be near "brethrens" who do. So why would I want to join a religion that will require me to be involved in a practice that could kill me?
I know that many Rastafarians are convinced that their faith is the true one -- and I suppose I have to respect them for that belief. However, I really do believe that Rastafari has got it all wrong. It is true that the faith is growing, but I don't think I could ever be a Rastafarian.
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