From Mythology To Reality: Moving Beyond Rastafari
I am from the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada. I am an Atheist (non-theist) and Humanist. I am now living in the United States, where I am actively pursuing a college degree in the Humanities field. From Mythology To Reality: Moving Beyond Rastafari is my first book. This work was largely inspired by my brother and my Rastafarian cousin. My experience growing up in Grenada, and my search for knowledge also played a role.
I am from the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada. I am an Atheist (non-theist) and Humanist. I am now living in the United States, where I am actively pursuing a college degree in the Humanities field. From Mythology To Reality: Moving Beyond Rastafari is my first book. This work was largely inspired by my brother and my Rastafarian cousin. My experience growing up in Grenada, and my search for knowledge also played a role.
The Rastafarian movement has always been a part of my life.
From family members, to friends, the Rastafarian Movement's philosophy and
theology has been a significant part of my growing up. I have always been
locked into the world of theism: i.e. Christianity. However, as I became more
interested in expanding my knowledge past the borders of Grenada, I unshackled
myself from the prison of the Christian theist world, beginning my journey in
the world of Afro-centrism. It was via this worldview I decided to embank on
grasping a deeper understanding of the Rastafarian Movement. This book is the
result; my critical analysis of the movement.
My hope is that this book can be a source of information to my family, my friends and to anyone. My goal is that this book can help provide valuable information to anyone before deciding to make the important life changing decision of adhering to the Rastafarian Movement. Within these pages, I try to demonstrate that contradictory to the claim that Rastafarianism is an Afro-centric movement, “….Eurocentric philosophy and theological ideals are the foundation upon which Rastafari is built. Alternatively, however, I will present an Afro-centric cultural expression framework via which I believe Rastafari should be frame if one should honor its claim to Afrocentric status. In doing so, I will demonstrate that the word Rasta, both as a word, and, as a “spiritual” concept, is of African origin and existed before Haile Selassie I (Ras Tafari) and the “Holy” Bible. “In addition, I will also provide a biography of the three major pillars of Rastafari, Cannabis (Marijuana), Haile Selassie I and Jesus Christ. Finally, I will argue that neither Rastafari nor Afro-centrism (and religion in general) can nor will help forward the black community economically, politically, socially or otherwise. Instead, I am endorsing a non-theistic Humanist approach as the only viable solution to the black struggle. It is, I believe, the vehicle through which economic, social and political stability can be accomplish in the black community worldwide."
My hope is that this book can be a source of information to my family, my friends and to anyone. My goal is that this book can help provide valuable information to anyone before deciding to make the important life changing decision of adhering to the Rastafarian Movement. Within these pages, I try to demonstrate that contradictory to the claim that Rastafarianism is an Afro-centric movement, “….Eurocentric philosophy and theological ideals are the foundation upon which Rastafari is built. Alternatively, however, I will present an Afro-centric cultural expression framework via which I believe Rastafari should be frame if one should honor its claim to Afrocentric status. In doing so, I will demonstrate that the word Rasta, both as a word, and, as a “spiritual” concept, is of African origin and existed before Haile Selassie I (Ras Tafari) and the “Holy” Bible. “In addition, I will also provide a biography of the three major pillars of Rastafari, Cannabis (Marijuana), Haile Selassie I and Jesus Christ. Finally, I will argue that neither Rastafari nor Afro-centrism (and religion in general) can nor will help forward the black community economically, politically, socially or otherwise. Instead, I am endorsing a non-theistic Humanist approach as the only viable solution to the black struggle. It is, I believe, the vehicle through which economic, social and political stability can be accomplish in the black community worldwide."
