coffeeshop free adam: Shira Golding
A religious movement popular in Jamaica that in its extreme form sees blacks as the chosen people and which elevates Haile Selassie (1891-1975), the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God or a manifestation of God (Jah from the Hebrew YHWH).
Although some parts of the Bible are used, much of the Biblical text is said to have been corrupted by “Babylon” (i.e. the dominant white establishment and power structures).
Despite the unhealthy effects linked with cannabis use on the mouth, throat, lungs and brain, this is not frowned on but rather, viewed as a spiritual act.
For Rastas, smoking cannabis, usually known as “herb”, “weed”, or “ganja” (from the Sanskrit word, “Ganjika”, created by the Hindus of India), is a spiritual act, often accompanied by Bible study; they consider it a sacrament that cleans the body and mind, heals the soul, exalts the consciousness, facilitates peacefulness, brings pleasure, and brings them closer to Jah.¹
Softer forms of Rastafarianism respect every person as a potentially unique “flower within the Garden of Eden,” as reggae artist Peter Tosh once put it.
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¹ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari_movement
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