What's Your Take On Rastafarian's?

[Aaron]

Another thread inspired by Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier. Whats everyone's take on Rastafarian's? I just read a rather long Wiki article on the subject, and unlike the big three religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity) this is actually a religion I can tolerate. Mainly because they seem to look inside themselves for answers and they encourage each Rasta to find their own path.

That and when was the last time you heard of a Rastafarian terrorist?

[Keevan_Colton]

Just a point to note, the "Big Three" are really just sub groups of the one religion which is why they all have the same arsehole nature to them...most other religions turn out okay on the "Total fucktard" scale.

[Aaron]

Just a point to note, the "Big Three" are really just sub groups of the one religion which is why they all have the same arsehole nature to them...most other religions turn out okay on the "Total fucktard" scale.

Thats an excellent point, I often forget that. I have noticed that the religions that aren't connected to the "Big Three" tend to be more tolerant and forgiving.

[Zero]

Ironic, considering that all fundies ever talk about is forgiveness...

[Keevan_Colton]

Ironic, considering that all fundies ever talk about is forgiveness...

...and who isnt getting it.

[Jalinth]

Just a point to note, the "Big Three" are really just sub groups of the one religion which is why they all have the same arsehole nature to them...most other religions turn out okay on the "Total fucktard" scale.

I think you are ignoring evidence here. Most major religions have had their own severe problem areas - Hinduism has the caste system (untouchables), Sikhs have their own internal turmoil that leads spilt blood (these problems periodically flare up in the Vancouver area at the temples- generally requiring a shitload of cops to keep it under control). Shintoism was interwined with Japanese nationalism - see the Korean and Chinese campaigns pre-WWII for the Japanese kind and gentle rule over these areas.

Any religion that is big enough and powerful enough will attract the powermongers and idiots. Christianity and Islam had very strong "conversion" aspects to them, so expanded to an unparalleled extent. Both also have fairly appealing parts to them. No pre-set "place" - all believers are theoretically equal. Salvation through good works, helping the poor and needy (both Christianity and Islam have the concept of charity built into them), etc... So anyone who is ambitious could convert and reach the top more easily than in Hinduism for example.

As to the prelevance of idiots, look at the sheer numbers. Christians and Muslims have large numbers, spread across the world, and are present in very unstable countries with multiple factions at play. Most other religions tend to be concentrated geographically and/or nationally, limiting both our exposure to them and the damage they can cause outsiders.

[salm]

To my knowledge the rastafarian culture oppresses women and hates gays.

[Aaron]

To my knowledge the rastafarian culture oppresses women and hates gays.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is seen as sinful and decadent, though in this attitude Rastafari is far from unique, and some Rastas are indifferent to homosexuality or accept it. Some claim that extra attention may be paid to homophobia in Rastafari, however, because persecution of homosexuals is common in Jamaica among Rastas and non-Rastas alike.

Seems like Rasta's aren't of one mind on the issue of gays, in that regard their no different than moderate Christians.

Quote from here.

By the end of the 20th century, women had become more important in the functioning of the Rastafari movement. In the early years, menstruating women were often subordinated to their husbands and excluded from religious and social ceremonies. To a large degree, women feel more freedom to express themselves now, thus they enjoy much greater freedom of self-expression, and contribute greatly to the religion.

The above was all I could find of Wikipedia about the role of woman in Rastafarian culture. From that I gather that at one time they were opressed, but it's no longer an issue now.

[Clone Sergeant]

One's opinion on the religion really depends on how many rastafarians you've met. Since the religion is usually very decentralized the attitude of individuals within the religion tends to vary widely. In my experience I've met rastas who were extremely open-minded and tolerant of all viewpoints, in addition to being strict pacifists and vegetarians. At the other end of the spectrum I have met rastas who were essentially African cultural and racial supremacists. In those cases their rhetoric about whites and western secular culture was as hate filled as that expoused by many mainstream Islamic or Christian fundementalist groups. Fortunately, I've had the luck of meeting more of the former example.

[SyntaxVorlon]

I think it's Jamaican culture, which is extremely religious in itself, that is highly conservative and the rastas are still a part of that culture. Generally I consider Rastafari to be a small communal Afrocentric cult, a few basic tenets, most of which are highly stereotyped, and generally amiable. It's sort of a retro-African tribal religion with modern sensibility, it is about Afrocenterism but it exists in the modern world.

And yes they do smoke lots of weed. I went to Peter Tosh's mausoleum and there was a leaf drying barn ~10 yards away.

[Sean Howard]

Another thread inspired by Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier. Whats everyone's take on Rastafarian's? I just read a rather long Wiki article on the subject, and unlike the big three religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity) this is actually a religion I can tolerate. Mainly because they seem to look inside themselves for answers and they encourage each Rasta to find their own path.

That and when was the last time you heard of a Rastafarian terrorist?

They sound cool and all until you read about the whole "rabidly worshipping Haile Selassie" thing.

That's about when I go Ooooooookay

[Aaron]

They sound cool and all until you read about the whole "rabidly worshipping Haile Selassie" thing.

That's about when I go Ooooooookay

That is a little strange I admit.

[Elheru Aran]

Minor nitpick-- I wouldn't consider Judaism one of the 'Big Three' religions, as its adherents are pretty low in number. In fact, I would place either Hinduism or Buddhism-- probably the latter-- as being the third. Of course, if this term merely refers to their common connections, then I stand corrected.

[Aaron]

Minor nitpick-- I wouldn't consider Judaism one of the 'Big Three' religions, as its adherents are pretty low in number. In fact, I would place either Hinduism or Buddhism-- probably the latter-- as being the third. Of course, if this term merely refers to their common connections, then I stand corrected.

No I meant that the "big three" were the three largest religions in the world. But now that you brought it up it should probably be Christianity, Islam and Hinduism (there's something like 800 million of them, the majority of India's population anyways).

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Considering that the man they worshipped as a God thought they were deluded and told the national church of his country to go send missionaries to save them from their errors, I really think that Rastafarianism, however nice it sounds, is less than pointless as a religion.

[Admiral Valdemar]

Considering that the man they worshipped as a God thought they were deluded and told the national church of his country to go send missionaries to save them from their errors, I really think that Rastafarianism, however nice it sounds, is less than pointless as a religion.

I'm of that mind for pretty much all organised religions aand cults.

And Kendall, you don't pluralise with apostrophes. Ever.

[Zed Snardbody]

Minor nitpick-- I wouldn't consider Judaism one of the 'Big Three' religions, as its adherents are pretty low in number. In fact, I would place either Hinduism or Buddhism-- probably the latter-- as being the third. Of course, if this term merely refers to their common connections, then I stand corrected.

So I guess that makes Judaism the Babylon 5 of religion and Hinduism is SG1?

[Aaron]

And Kendall, you don't pluralise with apostrophes. Ever.

My apologies, grammer isn't my stong point.

[Elheru Aran]

Minor nitpick-- I wouldn't consider Judaism one of the 'Big Three' religions, as its adherents are pretty low in number. In fact, I would place either Hinduism or Buddhism-- probably the latter-- as being the third. Of course, if this term merely refers to their common connections, then I stand corrected.

So I guess that makes Judaism the Babylon 5 of religion and Hinduism is SG1?

Okay, Wars and Trek I get, so what's the third then?

[Zed Snardbody]

Babylon 5. The big three of Sci Fi is considered as Wars, Trek, and B5. As time goes on and B5 drifts more into the "cult" fan base most people feel that the 3rd spot in the big three should be occupied by either farscape, or SG1.

In this case, when it comes down to worshiper numbers, Judiasm occupies the space of B5 (thought I'm not calling it a cult). Hence the Joke. When people think of the big three god lovers, its muslims, christians, and the jews. Though they just don't have the numbers and really aren't a memeber of the big 3, and that third slot should be allocated to the hindus.

[Sean Howard]

Considering that the man they worshipped as a God thought they were deluded and told the national church of his country to go send missionaries to save them from their errors, I really think that Rastafarianism, however nice it sounds, is less than pointless as a religion.

I'm of that mind for pretty much all organised religions aand cults.

And Kendall, you don't pluralise with apostrophes. Ever.

shouldn't that be apostrophe's

[Zac Naloen]

Considering that the man they worshipped as a God thought they were deluded and told the national church of his country to go send missionaries to save them from their errors, I really think that Rastafarianism, however nice it sounds, is less than pointless as a religion.

I'm of that mind for pretty much all organised religions aand cults.

And Kendall, you don't pluralise with apostrophes. Ever.

shouldn't that be apostrophe's

apostrophe is? O_o