Interview of a Rastafari Bredrin from Kenya-part 4

KI. How does the I explain the scriptures recording the place of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem? How does the I reconcile the idea that Selassie! is Christ, does the I acknowledge reincarnation?

GM. The bible is clear on the whereabouts of the birth of the Messiah Eyesus Kristos in Bethlehem. It has also been historically confirmed. The King acknowledges this and followed Eyesus Kristoss as his Personal savior. It is not possible in my view to reconcile the idea that Selassie is Christ, as He not only said that he follows Christ but he prayed to his Creator. I do not acknowledge reincarnation in the faith of the King, which is Orthodox Christianity otherwise, how does everyone get judged according to his works on the day of the resurrection?

KI. How important is the Bible to the I?

GM. God inspired the Bible. The King found it a constant source of comfort I can do no less. The king in quoting scriptures “come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest? Said who can resist such an invitation? Can InI do any less?

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

GM. As mentioned above God inspired the bible. This can be found in the scriptures itself. The King James and subsequent versions of the bible has been “Revised” meaning changed and so cannot be taken literally but the Ethiopic version translated from the ancient Geez to Amharic by Order of the King can be accepted if accepted by the king don’t you think? Remember He also said whatever the language the message remains one and the same.

KI. Who are the true Christians?

GM. God has no respect of persons. He loves all his creations. If one follows his commandments, confess with their mouth that Eyesus Kristos is the Christ and believes in their heart and does his will these are the true Christians regardless of color class race or creed.

KI. Who are Babylonian Christians?

GM. In my opinion there are no Babylonian Christians or English or Jamaican Christians if one is a follower of the savior they are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The issue is not of race but of faith.

KI. Does the Rastafari movement have to acknowledge any ‘Black” movement which claims to support Black Unity, or does for example those who align themselves with Egyptian gods, need to continue their works in supporting black people but stop worshipping false gods?

GM. The question is a little confusing. Rastafari is essentially a Black movement of people and therefore should support any movement professing black unity. There is but one God and InI are to respect another man’s faith. InI should work towards unity within diversity as the flowers in their diversity are feed by the same source.

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

GM. First there must the spiritual unity within Rastafari. Then that spirituality must be that of the Father and not the traditions of man. If InI follow the teachings of His Majesty, which leads InI to Eyesus Kristos, then InI as individuals will escape the wrath of Jah or be condemned according to InI works.

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

GM. The second person of the Holy Trinity took on flesh and dwelt among man yet without sin. Man is not without sin but has the blessed assurance of forgiveness if he goes to the Father with a repent and contrite heart.

KI. Does the I feel that the wages of sin is death? If so how does the I explain that statement?

GM. This statement is from the bible. Death in the sense of spiritual death as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is without sin and is life. The flesh will always die, as it is mortal.

KI. Since Rastafari is an 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?

GM. As you quite rightly state Rastafari is about the upliftment of black people as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and its consequences. When the Israelites were leaving Egypt many of the Egyptians including the adopted mother of Moses left with them because they realized that God was with these people. In like manner I believe any other race can follow the true principles of Rastafari but cannot be Rastafari in the true sense of the word and its meaning.

KI. Why is Orthodoxy Christianity, like that of the Ethiopian Church, and His Majesty’s Faith, accepted while other Christian Faiths rejected in Rastafari?

GM. The meaning of Orthodoxy is “the right way” Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity is the purest form of Christianity. It is a continuation of the Judaic Faith as professed by the Savior whilst the Jews are still awaiting the Messiah. The New Testament records in Acts Chapter 8 the baptism of the Ethiopian who was returning from Jerusalem to worship. If we accept His Majesty we cannot reject his Faith.

KI. Did Haile Selassie 1 acknowledge and worship Yahshua?

GM. His Imperial Majesty was baptized when 40 days old and given the baptismal name Haile Selassie. In 1965 he was given the title Defender of the Faith after having convened for the first time in 1600 years a Conference of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (Armenia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria and India). He was married according to the teaching of the Church and lived His entire life as an Orthodox Christian receiving the sacrament of the holy Eucharist. He has said that he follows Christ and glories in the bible.

KI. What do black people need in this Iwa? With the worldwide 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?

GM. Black people need to return to God the Creator. Black people need to uplift themselves through education geared towards the economic development of the Continent and their communities wherever they live. As individuals we need to get economic empowerment as only in this way can we help others in the eradication of poverty.

KI. What about Reparations?

GM. Morally Africans deserve this. The Jews and some Europeans received it. However, the difficulties in securing it and disbursing it will be fraught with problems.