Eugene Albert O.

Javillonar 12/10/2013
Philosophy 103, Philosophy of Religion Sir. J. Prinicipe

Rastafari

Rastafari movement or Rastafarianism is a religion that originated in Jamaica in the early

1930’s. This religion is most commonly seen not as a religion but as a way of life. Those who
practice Rastafarianism believe similarly to the Christian, calling him by the name Jah, which
was one of His archaic names. Outside of Jamaica, the nation of Ethiopia have also practiced
Rastafarianism with them having perceive one of their defining leaders, Haile Selassie I, as the
true incarnate of God and not Jesus Christ.
The most striking thing about this religion for me is their practice or the heirophany by
using cannabis sativa. The ceremony they call the “Reasoning”. While in the modern world or at
least in common media cannabis has always been seen as a hallucinatory drug simply used for
leisure, Rastafarianism has incorporated deeply within their culture. The Reasoning is defined
simply as a gathering of Rastas (believers) as they smoke ganja (cannabis) and it is passed as the
Rastas discuss and bring themselves in the presence of Jah. Rasta’s do not see the need for
temples or churches, because they believe that their bodies themselves are the temples to which
they can feel God or the divine. In this manner the Reasoning could be done anywhere and
anytime.
Cannabis being the hallucinatory drug that it is I can see how in this ceremony the
presence of the sacred is evoked even more powerfully in the Rastas’ gathering. In the influence
of the drug the believers speak with Jah (God), and they talk to each other sharing beliefs similar
to that of the Bible. Whereas in other religions like Christianity God’s presence is felt mostly
with a sober mind and that if one is able to absorb his presence through will and heart, the use of
cannabis brings a new level of consciousness towards the sacred. In Christianity specifically
Roman Catholic this religion has built large edifices that create a sacred place that allows
believers to feel closer towards God. The Rasta’s connect with God through their own bodies and
since Cannabis affects mind and body, the drug’s effects on the body in many ways feels like the
Rasta is being transformed within into a sacred self, he feels closer to the divine because his
body is now outside of its normal self. This combined effect of belief and drugs is seen by the
Rasta’s as a holy sacrament. It is a cleaning ritual that heals the soul and purifies one so that he
can be closer to Jah, and that it is a key part when studying the Bible.
Looking at this religion I can see how the connection of losing oneself is important in
linking oneself to the divine. If in Christianity we feel that awe through a breaking of reason;
accepting the presence of the divine through a deep longingness of the “something out there” the
Rastas rediscover themselves through a drug. But not in a negative way, the drug is used as a
supplement to their belief, to their concept of truth. The breaking away from common reason
becomes more evident and the divine becomes more real, ganja helps free the mind from doubt.
The Reasoning showcases a unique take on the religious sensibility where a believer’s
sacredness is evoked through the losing of oneself with the help of a hallucinatory drug. Ecstasy
is achieved in a fuller sense where the body joins the believer in his seeking of truth.