If you imagine a typical bud smoker, there is a good chance that you'll think of a Rastafarian. The Rasta movement is one of the most misunderstood religions there is, with lots of people seeing their religion as not much more than an excuse to get high as hell! Weed seeds and the cannabis plant itself play a very integral part in how they practice their religious beliefs, but that is only scratching the surface. There's a lot of misconceptions about what Rastafarian's actually do believe, and it's about time that a lot of the confusion is erased! Here's some of the most important principles of this unusual religion.



Jah, Haile Selassie and Jesus Christ



The Rastafarian movement is a derivative of Christianity and Judaism. All offshoots of Christianity are anticipating the return of Jesus Christ, but for Rastas, it already has happened! They do believe in the God of the Holy Bible but they call him Jah, and conclude that His latest physical manifestation was in the former Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie I. Although Selassie died in 1975, Rastafarian's believe that he will return to gather his followers and take them to Zion which is the promised land.



Marijuana and Religious Rituals



For Rastas, smoking cannabis is not a way just to get blowed like many people who smoke – it is a sacrament, a ritual of spirituality to become closer to God. Regularly they hold gatherings, also known as “reasonings”, where a group of Rastafarian's will gather together, smoke weed, and talk about all kinds of philosophical and religious issues. Rastafarian's often incorporate smoking with the reading of the Bible, with the belief that with the enhancing of their minds from the herbals that they can achieve a greater understanding of the word of God.



Of course, consuming ganja for the purpose of religion isn't just unique to Rastafarian's. Marijuana seeds and marijuana itself have been found in all kinds of different religions, ranging from Sufism and Taoism to the somewhat modern religious practice of Cantheism. But only few religions have put cannabis so centered to their spirituality as the Rastafarian movement!



The Bible and Marijuana



Some naysayers may be skeptical about the support in the scriptures for a ganja habit, but Rasta's insist that the Book references many times to their preferred substance. One of the most celebrated, they cite scriptures in the book of Revelations that they believe refers to ganja:



"the river of life proceeded to flow from the throne of God, and on either side of the bank there was the tree of life, and the leaf from that tree is for the healing of the nations"



There's even some more direct endorsements to weed seeds and leaves throughout the Holy Bible in particular translations, like it being a major ingredient in anointing oils and as incense to be burned in honor of God.





The Rasta movement perhaps have found its most celebrated voice through reggae music, but close examination shows it to be a sophisticated and enlightening religion that is worthwhile of closer study, an enchanting combo of Jamaican culture, Christianity plus a very extraordinary herb!



Your comments and insights below will be appreciated!

