Rastafari - the official recognised religion (way of life) : When ?

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[oneLox]

Blessed love to one and all

I just wanted to ask if anyone knows when RasTaFarI becomes an official religion.
I was told by a close friend recently that it is almost 100 years since an application was made to make RasTaFarI an officially recognised religion.  I wonder if anyone has any further knowledge of this ?

Jah Guidance to one and all, all days.

[supereuropa]

Rastafari is a pretty recognised religion, I'm not sure if you can to be a Rasta officially, in the documents (but I think you can). Anyway, why do you need to be an official rasta?

[Nazarite I]

Firstly, I and I did not emerge as a movement until the coronation of His Majesty Haile Selassie I on the 2nd of November 1930. Last Coronation day in 2010 was the 80th anniversary of the Coronation so your friend is plain wrong on that point.

As for whether Rastafari is recognised, in general and on paper yes it is in some places, but in practice things are different. In Jamaica for example, where the first Rastas emerged, Rastafari is still not officially recognised despite the fact that the tourist board uses the imagery of Rastafari prolifically to promote the island and Rastafari is generally recognised by the population. They even used Rastafari in politrickal campaigns to win votes. Still no recognition for Rasta though and they still arrest I and I Idren there for herb.
In England, since Rastafari appears on the census in some numbers it is by default recognised 'officially'. The National Health Service and many companies have documents that give them a basic idea of what I and I think and practice so that they don't treat I and I unfairly. In reality though, most people still take Rastafari at face value. It's hard to find work if you keep the Nazarite vow and people still generally look down on I and I. Probably helped by this new wave of 'reefer madness' that's going on in the media here since what little people know about Rastafari here includes herb.

As for whether that bothers I, and whether I want 'official' recognition; no I don't really care. I and I trod is not about that sort of thing. I and I don't seek recognition and acceptance by babylon. I and I trod is a holy trod and I and I are seeking Jah. That is what matters. Not whether I and I are a 'religion' or whether a man in a suit tells I and I that I and I are 'legitimate'. Even the word 'religion' does not suit I and I. It implies that if you come to a Rasta place and sign a bit of paper and say you're a Rasta then you're in and set. That is not how I and I movement works and the more people remember that the better. I and I are people who dedicate I and Iselves to the Almighty. That is how I and I come into RastafarI.

Blessed love.

[oneLox]

Rastafari is a pretty recognised religion, I'm not sure if you can to be a Rasta officially, in the documents (but I think you can).  Anyway, why do you need to be an official rasta?

I think you may have misunderstood my question as in myself like many, I have no personal need for babylon to endorse my core beliefs as they include the complete falling of said corrupt systemics.

Nazarite I in the next post, in the next reply, outlines some beliefs I share in the reason why I asked.

For example, teaching Rastafari in schools and indeed taking away systemic persecution of Rasta is something I was told can and would happen more prevalently, if Rastafari was an official religion.  I am aware and indeed share the belief that Rastafari is a way of life but don't share the notion that Rastafari is not a religion as I think both words mutually mean the same thing, 'internal' corruption aside.  I am also aware that for example, a Rasta in England for some years is no longer required to remove any head covering.

I think it would be a good thing to make Rastafari an official religion but only for the postive it can achieve.  Although I too have a numb feeling when it comes to allegedly or seemingly 'begging babylon' for right of way. 

I am unsure of the exact details as it has been a long while since I talked with my friend about this matter and I am also unsure of what details I can feel free to talk about without either saying the wrong thing and or disrespecting anyone.

I do remember the talks being about Rastafari becoming an official religion soon like within the next few years, although not in 19 years, much sooner.  I'm also not wholey sure the 1930 coronation has to be the time when any application was made, if one was made at all.  I also remember the schematics of the talks involving hierarchy here in England.  I also believe rastafari existed long before the prophecy of Jesus and the (irrelevant) invention of the comb. 

I will try to find out more and share it if possible.

Blessed love and thank for the responses.  1ove

[supereuropa]

As a Rasta in my country, I would have no extra rights than I have now, without being official. There's no school in my country that teaches any other religion than Orthodox Christianity, and it's not if you want, you must do it, unless you are other religion. It just doesn't give the freedom of choice of the religion here for young people. I remember asking when I was about 13 the religion teacher about other religions, the answer I got was: "It's a very bad thing to be any other religion than Christian, and those who are not Christian will go to hell." . I think the religion class should be optional. Is it optional in the UK?

[Nazarite I]

In some places in England, Rastafari is taught about in the education system. I have come across primary school children who were at least aware of Rastafari and I personally have done a presentation about Rastafari recently. Does it seem to make much of a difference though? I don't think it makes much difference. The children I have met who knew something about I and I basically knew 'dreadlocks' and I would put money on 90% of the people I did that presentation to not remembering a word I said. Rastafari is not on their minds. They don't consider it relevant information and they are study of Religion students. They might find it interesting for a little bit, but ask them a couple of weeks later what Rastafari is and they'll still only be able to tell you a couple of 'buzz words'.

As for recognition of rights, to be honest I am beginning to think it is only on paper. On paper, I can tell the police no when they ask I to take off I tam. In reality they would then restrain I and remove it or arrest I. On paper, I can walk into a job interview and tell the interviewer that I locks and beard are holy and I will not get rid of them. In reality, they will just hire someone else.
Paper means nothing to I and I. It is consciousness that needs to be raised and it is I and I who must do it. Like I said in another thread talking about this, people need to be able to say to their friends; "I know a Rasta. He's a good man."

Blessed love

[1tokeovrtheline]

Yeah in the US rasta is "legitimate" and you can even get marijuana charges reduced in some cases (although unfortunately this both motivates many who are not true rasta to claim they are, and prejudices many against white rastas because they assume sometimes this is motivation). Just about everyone I know in the US is familiar with rasta but more as a marketing gimmick or a sign of "I smoke weed" than taking it seriously and 99.9% of people who like reggae or dancehall have no freakin idea who selassie even is. If you have dreads thats seen as cool by a lot of people but you talk about real rasta or you show livity habits and its "weird". Although I'm new to rasta I ask myself my intentions and find that I am at a point where I would give up the weed and the style and music and image and acceptance for Jah and the livity and the iditation (and in fact I've been too broke to toke, and don't have any dreads yet, or really any rasta clothes, I only show reasoning, good intention and livity, and the words of HIM to show my rasta, and although I've been getting strange looks and cold shoulders, I've never felt better)

And yes technically with everything except marijuana rasta's are supposed to be accepted but realistically the employer doesn't care, the cop doesn't care, and if you try to do anything about it the judge doesn't care (although you might be able to get away with it in some places like san fran...)

BUT I ask why it is so important, it is a hassle, but its worth it right? Even Jesus fought against babylon and was executed for his actions, as well as Selassie (sorry I'm not of the school of thought that his PHYSICAL body is still alive). Babylon is all about power and most are drawn to power's ability to give them all they lust for, and happily (or at least they think they are happy) conform to hateful intolerant ways to gain a quick buck n a fuck. If you look at the way of satan in the bible and the history of babylon, the game has always been wrapping up misery to look appealing and to deceive the masses. To fight these injustices is naturally going to bring hardships, but thats the cross you must bear for living a righteous life.

The road isn't necessarily going to be the best just because it has the best destination. 


I think this is one of the many struggles the rasta faces today, but diligently he must work toward justice. I hope all you in the UK will see more overstanding and acceptance in the future, and I think the first step is indeed a spread of education.

[Nazarite I]

Who Selassie I bless, no man can curse.

Blessed love.