EachNewDawn wrote:Hi there
A good number of my family members are rastafarians, and I'd like to be in a better position to respond to them. As the beliefs of rastafarianism vary quite a bit and there aren't really any formal doctrine (as I understand it), I've found it difficult to pin down exactly what they believe. I have asked a family member in the past what they believed as a rastafarian and they didn't really have much to tell me.
I was brought up in a church-going, but certainly not Christian family and I am the only one (at least, within my immediate family) who is now Christian. As the rest of my family have been embracing the beliefs of rastafarianism and "black consciousness", they have also become more hostile to Christianity. I've come to understand that my family’s rejection of Christianity is largely based on relativistic principles (although they seem very much unaware of this) and trying to equate evil actions done by people who called themselves Christians (i.e. hypocrites) and people who tried to use the Bible to justify evil actions (their concerns are only those committed against black people) with Christianity. One family member has shown passing interest in the Ethiopian Orthodox church, not because of their beliefs, but because it's "black" and "ancient" Christianity.
So, does anyone have experience of responding to what rastafarians believe or know of any good articles on the matter? There's lots of material on Islam, eastern religions, "Christian" cults, atheism, new age etc., but not that much on rastafarianism. Also, does anyone have any advice on teaching the Gospel to family members? I've spent much time praying on it, and I've tried to correct misunderstandings/lack of knowledge of Scripture and logical fallacies. I'm trying to be a testimony to Christ through my actions, but I want to be able to do more.
Each New Dawn
For quick reference form Wiki om these two groups see these links...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari_movement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Cons ... s_Movement
We have engaged a few Rastafarian's here on this Forum. You are correct, there are various form of Rastafarians and belief systems. However, they all enjoy cannabis and seem to venerate it above all else, which classes it as an idol. They mix Christian, Hindu, Judaism, and a bit of Zen systems into their own and each group seems to be more inclined to one of these systems. I think it is the drugs that make them sort of be egalitarianly arrogant. Now mix that with the 'Black Consciousness' political philosophy and you end up with extreme racist ideology. Your family sounds really confused and mixed up.
Since there is a wide range of beliefs in Rastafarism, which ones do they appear to gel with the most - Hindu or Zen or ???
I found it difficult to discuss much with these folks due to the cannabis and effects it has on the mind because it lingers in the body weeks after ingesting or smoking it, thus, distorting thought even though users haven't partook. They remind me of potheads and goofy. Add the racist black consciousness movement to this and wow. I suggest you find some strong Christian folks in your area who know and understand spiritual warfare, while learning about and exercising the authority in Christ you have, and pray for these folks asking the Holy Spirit to shine light asking also how to pray to break the chains these folks have.
I personally find it difficult to speak with such folks as they go on endless rabbit trials (weed talk) so a proper discussion of theology really goes no where. Best course I found is narrow down what they believe in the most out of the mix of religions and give one liners type of comments and answers as that is about as much as their minds can handle. In other words, ask the Lord to grant you slogans and drop these on them when the timing is right and let the Lord work on them.
I suggest in Prayer using the model mentioned in John 16:8,9,10 - ask the Lord to convict them that they do not really believe in the real Jesus and their sins convict them - begin there with other Christians for them.
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