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Excellent question! I personally believe that it is seriously misleading for a Christian to call themselves a "Rasta." For God is not the author of deception or misrepresentation. I feel that it is contradictory for a born again believer to use this appellation. Although some cultures use the term in a broader sense as a descriptive for anyone that is a dread, the real issue is in the origin of the word. If you are a Christian with dreadlockes, you may not be able to keep people from calling you a "Rasta," but this does not mean that you need to proudly use the term to identify yourself.
For "Rasta" is an abbreviation for "Rastafarian." A "Rastafarian" is a follower of "Rastafari" and an adherent to the beliefs of "Rastafarianism". Though there are some rastas that are Christians and some Christians that call themselves rastas, the term is more commonly used to describe a believer in the deity of Haile Selassie, repatriation, Ethiopia as Zion and the sacramental use of marijuana).
You see there can be a grave difference between your intentions and how someone interprets them. Some Christians may try and say that "It is okay for me to hail up the name 'Rastafari,' for when I chant it out I mean the true definition in my heart. You see the true definition is 'Head Creator,' and to me the Head Creator is Christ." But while you may be thinking this, everyone else around you drawing a different conclusion. If you look like a Rasta, walk like a Rasta, talk like a Rasta, and call yourself a Rasta, then guess what? You ARE a Rasta. And you will not be thought of as a Christian. How then can you be the salt and light of the world, when each of your actions and testimonies are being interpreted for the benefit and furtherance of Rastafari and not Christendom?
Now I know that some may find this hypocritical since I (Mark Mohr) am a dread that has embraced parts of the Rasta culture. But I strongly believe that the things that I have embraced are either supported in the Bible or are neutral issues. For instance, while I don't think that there is anything wrong with embracing the use of the name "Jah" (Ps 68:4), the adornment of dreadlockes (Sampson, Samuel & John the Baptist) or the colors red, gold and green (a part of God's Creation), but I do not find adequate biblical support for the use of marijuana, the worship of His Imperial Majesty (Rastafari), or the use of the name "Rasta"as a believer in Christ.
You see, there are many words who's true origin and definition are separate from their present-day meaning. For example, if you believe in "baptism," it doesn't necessarily make you a "Baptist," and if you believe in the "World Church," it doesn't necessarily mean that you are a "Catholic." While I always encourage blacks to search out their African heritage and find their own identity in the Bible, if they are in the North Africa and want to call upon "God," one may not want to call him "Allah," unless they are a Muslim. Regardless of their African origin, since words like "Allah," "Muslim" and "Rasta" are not supported in the Bible, we as Christians should not use them to define ourselves or our beliefs. To do so would be misleading and a gross misrepresentation of our faith.
Yet some may still argue that they are "Rastafarians," meaning that they follow the teachings and example of "Rastafari." They don't worship him, they simply admire his faith and actions. But Selassie (Rastafari) was a self proclaimed Christian. He followed Christ. So don't follow Selassie, follow whom he followed--Jesus. Now I know that this statement may seem contrary to modern-day Christianity, for within the Protestant reformation there are followers of Martin Luther (Lutherans), John Wesley (Wesleyans), and John Calvin (Calvinists). But I am sure that if Selassie or any of these other men were alive today, they would strongly encourage you to follow Christ, not mere men, and to call oneself a Christian as they did.
In 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Paul wrote: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?"
So I ask; Why attempt to divide Christ? Was Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari) crucified for you? Were you baptized into His name? As for me, I am a Christian, a follower of "The Way," a disciple of Christ, and bondservant for His namesake. I would never choose to represent my faith with an appellation that drew attention away from Jesus--"lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1Cor 1:17).
Eventhough Ras Tafari (Haile Selassie) was a Christian man that lived on this earth, many call him god. They worship him, smoke marijuana in his name and offer their lives as a living sacrifice to this god. So should I hail up the name of this god (Rastafari) as others do? I will not. My conviction regarding this comes from Psalm 16:4 that reads; "The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips." To paraphrase that, David is saying "Those choosing other gods shall all be filled with sorrow; I will not offer the sacrifices they do or even speak the names of their gods" (Living Bible). If this author is not even going to speak the name, than I definitely will not bear it.
Christ alone is the Lord of my life. So when I listen to a reggae song that praises Rastafari, giving worship to Selassie, I get convicted. My spirit does not agree with this. I then have to ask myself this question: if Shadrach, and his brothers refused to bow to the false god when the music played, why would they then go out and buy a CD full of this same music and listen to it daily? They wouldn't! Furthermore, I doubt that they would give themselves a name that defines this false god.
If you love Christ, why not call yourself a name that is biblically supported (i.e. believers, followers, Christians, the Way, disciples, church, etc...)? Why fight to keep the same name as those who started off the Rastafarian faith by worshipping Rastafari (Selassie)?
By the way, when it came to his faith, Selassie called himself a "Christian" and nothing else. Why not follow his example? Why are so many ashamed of this name (Christ-ian)? I think I know the answer to that question.
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