Ras Ashley Borges

From The Rastafari Expression,
A regular column by Kaya I Isesajah, Aug 03, 2005         

KI. How did the I come to trod Rastafari/How long has the I been trodding the path?

AB. I came about Rastafari through my love of Reggae music (i also really like ska music) I did some research on the internet and read some books and I am starting to embrace the way of Rastafari.

KI. Where did the I grow up, what was the I experiences before your present path?

AB. I have grown up in Southern England. A little about myself, I am 20 years old, I have just finished my first year studying Russian at Nottingham university

KI. what is your opinion of the Internet, in terms of the Rastafari experience?

AB. The Internet has greatly helped me get a fuller understanding of Jah. It has helped me get into contact with people that I otherwise would not have known me

KI. How does the I find the governing factors of Rastafari presently?

AB. I can live by most of the governing factors of Rastafari with almost no problems in living what other people may see as a 'normal' life

KI. Does the I have any suggestions to the Rastafari community in achieving Inity?

AB. Unity is crucial to the peaceful co-existence of mankind. Both individuals and nations must unite. Racial and religious boundaries need to be broken down.

KI. What has been the biggest trial or tribulation that the I has encountered since becoming Rastafari? INI Realeyes that in this Iwa, ‘locks’ an a green diet is accepted albeit for different reasons INI are walking this way, so is there a next trial that I has had to endure because of your livity, or your faith?

AB. Getting my friends and family to take Rastafari's traditions seriously and making them believe that it is not just a 'phase' that I'm going through.

KI. INI know that it has been said that the Babylon system is a vampire? Can you interpret this for INI?

AB. Babylon literally drains all the life and spirit out of people.

KI. Is the I married? If married, does the I have Children being raised in the Rastafari Traditions?

AB. I am not married but I would definitely raise my children on Rastafari traditions.

KI. How does the I view marriage in the sense of Rastafari tradition, INI know some Bredrin and Sistren in the Livity do not marry in the conventional sense of marriage, often times opting to live together rather than obtain a license. What is your view on this? If the I is of this view, how does the I justify this action with the 10 commandment law thou shalt not commit fornication?

AB. I am not married but feel that man and woman should get married in the traditional sense rather than simply living together

KI. Education was always stressed by King Selassie I, how does the I see Education in these times, how important, and what should INI be doing to educate our youth, to supplement the Babylonian Education which the system provides?

AB. Education needs to be less biased. In schools education is dictated by the government, individual schools need greater flexibility over what they teach and how as long as it fits into flexible guidelines.

KI. What is the idea behind ‘not every dread is a Rasta, and not every Rasta dread’?

AB. Don't know.

KI. Does the I belong or align your self with any house?

AB. No

KI. Have you heard of the newer groups like the Fullfilled Rastafari, the Orthodox Rastafari, or the Messianic Rastafari? Any opinion?

AB. No I haven't but I'm pretty curious to find out about them.My culture does not really effect the way I follow Rastafari because I have not yet fully changed my life, I am taking it a step by step. After university I hope to enter into the British Foreign Office and became a diplomat.

I have not yet foreseen how my beliefs will affect my working life, I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I call myself Rev. because I am an ordained reverend in the ICA (international church of anglicans) and although I have left the church

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KI. There are so many views, and ideas of INI of Rastafari should sight His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, in terms of divinity, would you care to comment?

AB. I truly believe that HIM is the reincarnation of God

KI. Can Rastafari see ‘Religious Tolerance’, since Selassie taught INI to never question a next mans faith?

AB. Yes.

KI. Are Rastafari sisters able to wear pants in the I’s view? What about wrapping her locks?

AB. Yes and Yes.

KI. For those who do not follow the Nazarite laws, in your opinion will they see Zion?

AB. Yes but in different ways to those that do follow Nazarite.

KI. What are the requirements to achieve Zion?

AB. There are far too many to list here but basically you must be true to yourself and lead a fulfilling and peaceful life

KI. In your opinion, what happens to ones when they are no longer present on this plane?

AB. They go to another 'dimension' type place that is paradise.

KI. Do you feel that Selassie I is still physically alive on the physical plane of this earth? If not, do you acknowledge his funeral which was held in Ithiopia?

AB. No I don't think HIM is physically here but spiritually he is.

KI. How important is the bible to the I?

AB. Not very

KI. Does the I feel the bible is the inspired Word of Jah? Does the I feel it has been corrupted or cannot be trusted?

AB. I feel it has been corrupted and needs to be read with great care. Interpretations need to be carefully thought about.

KI. Will everyone escape the wrath of Jah who is walking in the path of Rastafari?

AB. Yes as long as they do indeed follow the true path of Rastafari.

KI. Is man able to be without sin? Has there or is there ever been a man who was without sin?

AB. All has sin. The challenge is not avoiding sin, but making sure that you regret any sin and act to make things better.

KI. Since Rastafari is a upliftment of Black people, there has been quite a lot of talk about other nationalities especially those of European decent, becoming Rastafari. What are your thoughts?

AB. I think that as long as people are willing to embrace Rastafari then it does not matter what colour their skin is.

KI. What do black people need in this Iwa? With the world wide poverty and especially the poverty experienced in Africa and the Third World Countries, what do you see your role in aiding the fight in this poverty?

AB. I passionately believe in eliminating third world debt and aiming to significantly reduce third world poverty. People must not be allowed to die of preventable diseases.

KI. What about Repatriation for your self?

AB. I've visited Ethiopia and other places in Africa but would not consider repatriation as a likely event for me.

KI. Do you feel that your Bretheren no matter where they hail from (Europe, Africa, Elsewhere) should repatriate to Africa?

AB. No but I think that they should be able to be Repatriated. Not mandatory.

KI. What is the I current occupation?

AB. University Student

KI. How does the I keep an Ital diet? Since there are some differing diets kept, what is your view of those who do not keep vegan?

AB. People should be allowed to not be vegan as long as they acknowledge that they are not following the exact traditions of Rastafari.

KI. How does the I view Haile Selassie teachmants, his major tennents from the speeches you have read?

AB. They sometimes have rather mixed messages... I feel that , from what I have read, Selassie never truely embraced the way that his followers reverred him but then sometimes he sort of did, like the meeting of Bob Marley etc.

KI. How does the I see Reggae music (Roots) in the present time?

AB. Reggae music in the 21st Century is very much on the decline. I am a huge fan of Reggae music from the 50s through to the 80s.

KI. Any feeling about Gospel Reggae or what they calling Christian Reggae such as Judy Mowatt, Sis Carlene Davis, Papa San for Isample?

AB. Don't really like it that much.

KI. One of the more serious issues in Rastafari health, is the issue of mothers vaccinating their children. Can we hear your feelings about Immunizations?

AB. Some vaccinations are necessary to maintain the life of humans.

KI. Will others who do not follow the Livity, do not have the same faith, as INI, will they be Redeemed, Saved, or will they See Zion?

AB. Yes but in different ways to someone who is a believer of Rastafari

KI. If you were to cease to be on this physical plane, where in your view, will your spirit be?

AB. In Zion.

KI. Will you be acceptable unto the Most High Jah?

AB. Yes.

KI. How do you know you will see Zion, Heaven, be Saved, be Redeemed?

AB. It is simply my belief.