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Rastafarianism and Marijuana
Holy Smoke - The Truth Behind Cannabis and Religion
Suite101.com
Ben Hughes
Apr 24, 2009
Many people seems to associate cannabis use with Rastafarians but few understand why. In fact, the use of cannabis is a small part of the theology and hardly representative of Jamaicans, Africans or Rastafarians.
Rastafari at a Glance
Rastafari is a young religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as King of Ethiopia in 1930. Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God and that he will one day return members of the black community, living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade, to Africa.
It developed from the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of fellow blacks. Partly for this reason, the lion symbol of the religion; it represents Haile Selassie I, who is referred to as the 'Conquering Lion of Judah'. Rastafarians' dreadlocks represent the lion's mane.
Cannabis Use in Rastafari
For many young people, the word ‘Rastafarian’ often seems to be synonymous with smoking cannabis and many disaffected youths wanting to study religion seem determined that it is an, if not the, essential part of the theology.
Use of cannabis is a religious ceremonial practice that some Rastafarians use to worship and meditate. The group will join together to smoke it and discuss truth Cannabis is attributed to have the ability to make the truth more clear. They also think of the use of this herb as a way to become closer to nature, with some considering it to be the Tree of Life from the Bible.
Leonard Barrett states that Rastafarians first began using Marijuana in reaction to the treatment of blacks in society; it became a reactionary device to enable freedom from the establishment. (Leonard Barrett, The Rastafarians, The Dreadlocks of Jamaica p. 129), to heighten feelings of community and to produce visions of a religious and calming nature.
The Marijuana Myth
Italy’s Supreme Court took the bold step in July 2008 to allow cannabis use by Rastafarians in Italy, classing it as a religious act. The Independent Online even recognised that the ruling was “a European first”.
However, in a great disappointment to many people, marijuana is not compulsory for Rastafarians. Many use it as a regular part of their worship because it symbolises the burning of the corruption from their heart and because they believe it unleashes greater spiritual awareness of the self, the universe and of God; but it isn’t essential.
Sources:
WikiAnswers.com, Why do Rastafarians smoke marijuana? (2009)
BBC Religion and Ethics online, Rastafari
The Independent Online, ‘Rastas can use cannabis, Italian court rules,’ 12 July 2008
Ref: http://religiousintolerance.suite101.com/article.cfm/rastafarianism_and_marijuana
Holy Smoke - The Truth Behind Cannabis and Religion
Suite101.com
Ben Hughes
Apr 24, 2009
Many people seems to associate cannabis use with Rastafarians but few understand why. In fact, the use of cannabis is a small part of the theology and hardly representative of Jamaicans, Africans or Rastafarians.
Rastafari at a Glance
Rastafari is a young religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as King of Ethiopia in 1930. Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God and that he will one day return members of the black community, living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade, to Africa.
It developed from the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of fellow blacks. Partly for this reason, the lion symbol of the religion; it represents Haile Selassie I, who is referred to as the 'Conquering Lion of Judah'. Rastafarians' dreadlocks represent the lion's mane.
Cannabis Use in Rastafari
For many young people, the word ‘Rastafarian’ often seems to be synonymous with smoking cannabis and many disaffected youths wanting to study religion seem determined that it is an, if not the, essential part of the theology.
Use of cannabis is a religious ceremonial practice that some Rastafarians use to worship and meditate. The group will join together to smoke it and discuss truth Cannabis is attributed to have the ability to make the truth more clear. They also think of the use of this herb as a way to become closer to nature, with some considering it to be the Tree of Life from the Bible.
Leonard Barrett states that Rastafarians first began using Marijuana in reaction to the treatment of blacks in society; it became a reactionary device to enable freedom from the establishment. (Leonard Barrett, The Rastafarians, The Dreadlocks of Jamaica p. 129), to heighten feelings of community and to produce visions of a religious and calming nature.
The Marijuana Myth
Italy’s Supreme Court took the bold step in July 2008 to allow cannabis use by Rastafarians in Italy, classing it as a religious act. The Independent Online even recognised that the ruling was “a European first”.
However, in a great disappointment to many people, marijuana is not compulsory for Rastafarians. Many use it as a regular part of their worship because it symbolises the burning of the corruption from their heart and because they believe it unleashes greater spiritual awareness of the self, the universe and of God; but it isn’t essential.
Sources:
WikiAnswers.com, Why do Rastafarians smoke marijuana? (2009)
BBC Religion and Ethics online, Rastafari
The Independent Online, ‘Rastas can use cannabis, Italian court rules,’ 12 July 2008
Ref: http://religiousintolerance.suite101.com/article.cfm/rastafarianism_and_marijuana