Unit 5 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are New Religious Movements (NRMs)?
NRMs are modern, adaptive religious groups blending old traditions with new contexts, often focusing on personal growth, charismatic leadership, and hybrid beliefs (e.g., Eastern practices in Western societies).
What is the purpose of NRMs?
Address modern needs (stress, individualism) via spirituality/self-help.
What are the types of NRMs?
World-Affirming (e.g., wellness-focused groups).
World-Renouncing (e.g., isolationist cults).
World-Accommodating (e.g., reformed traditional sects).
Name 4 examples of New Religious Movements (NRMs)?
- The Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Reiki
- Wicca
- Tarot
Halie Selassie
- Birth & Early Life
Born: Tafari Makonnen (July 23, 1892) in Ejersa Goro, Ethiopia.
Lineage: Claimed descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (Solomonic dynasty).
Education: Privately tutored by Europeans; raised Christian.
- Rise to Power
1916: Overthrew Lij Yasu (accused of favouring Islam) with Christian nobles’ support.
Regent: Ruled as regent under Empress Zawditu (1916–1930), modernizing Ethiopia.
1930: Crowned Emperor after Zawditu’s death, taking the name Haile Selassie (“Power of the Trinity”).
- Rastafarianism’s Origins
1930s Jamaica: Inspired by Marcus Garvey’s “Look to Africa for a king” prophecy.
Divine Status: Rastafarians saw Selassie’s coronation (1930) as fulfilment of Psalm 68:31 and Revelation’s messiah (“Lion of Judah”).
1966 Visit: His trip to Jamaica (Grounation Day) cemented faith; Rita/Bob Marley’s conversions spread Rastafari globally.
- Legacy
Political: Modernized Ethiopia but was overthrown in 1974 (Marxist Derg coup).
Spiritual: Rastafarian’s living god; symbol of African pride and resistance.
Global: Bob Marley’s music made him an icon of liberation theology.
Memorization Shortcut:
“Born in Ethiopia → Crowned Emperor → Rastas saw God → Legacy: Reform + Reggae Reverence.”
Key Dates:
1892: Born.
1930: Coronation (Rastafari born).
1966: Jamaica visit.
1974: Overthrown.
Name The Rastas Way Of Life
- Marijuana/Ganja
- Rasta holidays
- Wearing dreadlocks
- Rasta colours
- Rasta’s diet
Marijuana/Ganja
Rastas use marijuana (ganja) for:
Spiritual enlightenment (prayer, meditation).
Communal “reasoning” sessions (shared in a chalice for discussion).
Healing (e.g., colds, pain).
Biblical fulfilment (Psalm 104:14: “herb for service of man”).
Wearing Dreadlocks
Rastas wear dreadlocks to:
Obey Leviticus 21:5 (“Do not cut hair”).
Symbolize the Lion of Judah (strength, Africa, Haile Selassie).
Embrace natural African identity (rejecting Western beauty standards).
Memorize: “Locks = Bible, Lion, Africa.”
Rasta colours
The Rastafarian colours symbolize:
Red – Blood of martyrs & struggle for freedom
Gold/Yellow – Wealth of Africa
Green – Fertility, beauty and lushness of Ethiopia and Africa
Black – African people
Memorize: “Red (blood), Gold (wealth), Green (land), Black (people).”
Bonus: The Lion of Judah represents Haile Selassie as king and Africa’s strength.
(Link colours to Africa’s liberation & identity.)
What’s the Rasta diet called?
Ital
Rasta Diet
Ital Diet (Rasta Food Rules)
Natural Only - No chemicals, preservatives, or canned foods
Vegetarian/Vegan - Often no meat (avoids pork/shellfish)
No Alcohol - Seen as unnatural and mind-clouding. A fermented chemical which makes people stupid, playing into white leader’s hands.
No Coffee/Milk - Considered processed/unnatural
Key Contrast:
Rejects alcohol but accepts ganja (natural herb for enlightenment)
Memorize:
“Ital = Natural, Veggie, No Booze, Herb Allowed.”
Link to Leviticus dietary laws + anti-Babylon (pure living).
Name the 3 main Rastafarian Sects And Orders
- The Nyabinghi Order
- The Bobo Shanti
- The Twelve Tribes of Israel
The Nyabinghi Order
Oldest Rasta group - Focuses on Haile Selassie, Ethiopia, and African return
Named after - Queen Nyabinghi (Ugandan anti-colonial warrior)
Structure - Led by Assembly of Elders
Theocratic - Follows “Livity” (natural way of life)
Memorize:
“Nyabinghi = Elders, Ethiopia, Anti-Colonial Roots.”
The Bobo Shanti
Founded: 1950s Jamaica by Prince Emmanuel (seen as Christ/Jah reborn).
Meaning: “Bobo” = black; “Shanti” = Ashanti roots (Ghana).
Key Beliefs:
Worship Haile Selassie + Prince Emmanuel
Demand reparations for slavery
Strict repatriation to Africa focus
Practices:
Wear robes/turbans, follow Jewish Law (Sabbath, hygiene rules)
Live separately, sell handmade goods (hats, brooms = purity symbols)
Memorize:
“Bobo Shanti = Black Ashanti, Prince Emmanuel, Reparations, Isolation.”
The Twelve Tribes of Israel
Founded: 1968 by Prophet Gad (Dr. Vernon Carrington)
Most liberal Rasta group - Members can worship in any church
12 Houses System:
Each member belongs to a tribe based on birth month
Each tribe has a representative color
Key Belief:
Follows Christ-centered Rastafari (Haile Selassie as king, not God)
Memorize:
“12 Tribes = Liberal, Birth Month Tribes, Christ-Focused.”
Rasta Expression ‘I and I’
Meaning: Represents unity between all people under Jah (God).
Usage: Replaces “you and me” to show equality and divine connection.
Memorize:
““I and I” = We are equal in Jah.””
Key Idea: Rejects hierarchy; emphasizes spiritual oneness.
What are the 5 characteristics of NRMs?
- Older religions
- Innovation
- Eastern influence
- ## Modern appeal
Discuss the characteristics and content of the holy literature of Rastafarianism
- The Bible (Key Text)
Central Role: Rastas view the Bible as sacred but reinterpret it through an Afrocentric lens.
Key Passages:
Psalm 68:31 (“Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands to God”) → Proof of Haile Selassie’s divinity.
Revelation 5:5 (“Lion of Judah”) → Symbolizes Selassie as messiah.
Leviticus 21:5 (“No razor shall touch the head”) → Justifies dreadlocks.
Critique: Rejects “whitewashed” translations; prefers King James Version.
- The Kebra Nagast (“Glory of Kings”)
Ethiopian Text: Details the lineage of Haile Selassie from King Solomon & Queen of Sheba.
Purpose: Validates Selassie’s divine right to rule and Ethiopia’s spiritual supremacy.
- Oral Tradition & Reasoning
Livity (Living Wisdom): Passed orally in “reasoning” sessions (ganja-assisted discussions).
Proverbs & Songs: Reggae lyrics (e.g., Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”) act as modern psalms.
- The Holy Piby (“Black Man’s Bible”)
Afrocentric Scripture: Written by Robert Athlyi Rogers (1920s), it frames Selassie as Christ returned.
Key Idea: Rejects Eurocentric Christianity; calls for African spiritual liberation.
- Letters & Speeches of Haile Selassie
Divine Words: Rastas study Selassie’s speeches (e.g., 1963 UN address) as prophetic.
Unique Characteristics of Rasta Holy Texts
Afrocentric Reinterpretation:
The Bible is “corrected” to center Africa (e.g., Jesus as Black, Babylon as colonialism).
Anti-Colonial Focus:
Texts expose oppression (e.g., Psalm 137:1/”By the rivers of Babylon” → Symbol of exile).
Flexible Canon:
Combines scripture, oral tradition, and reggae as living revelation.
Symbolic Language:
Uses metaphors:
Zion = Ethiopia/Africa (heaven).
Babylon = Oppressive systems (slavery, capitalism).
Memorization Tip:
“Rasta texts = Bible (reclaimed) + Kebra Nagast (lineage) + Piby (Black Christ) + Reggae (modern psalms).”
Test Contrast:
Christianity: Fixed canon (Bible only).
Rastafari: Dynamic, multi-source scripture.
Discuss the main belief of the Rastafarian religion
Core Beliefs of Rastafarianism
Haile Selassie as Divine
Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia (1892–1975) is revered as God incarnate (Jah or Jesus returned) or at least a divinely appointed king.
Proof: His Solomonic lineage (via Kebra Nagast), titles (“Lion of Judah”), and 1930 coronation (fulfilling Psalm 68:31).
Repatriation to Africa
Zion = Ethiopia/Africa, the promised land; Babylon = oppressive Western systems (slavery, colonialism).
Goal: Physical/spiritual return to Africa (“Liberation before repatriation”).
Sacred Use of Ganja
Marijuana is a holy sacrament for prayer (“reasoning”), healing, and resisting Babylon (Psalm 104:14).
Natural Living (Ital)
Diet: Vegetarian/vegan, no alcohol/processed foods (pure = righteous).
Dreadlocks: Uncut hair (Leviticus 21:5) symbolizing the Lion of Judah and African identity.
“I and I” Philosophy
Unity of all people under Jah; rejects hierarchy (“you and me” → “I and I”).
Rejection of Babylon
Opposes racism, capitalism, and corrupt systems (echoed in reggae, e.g., Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up”).
