A few days ago I stumbled upon a column in the local publication the Jamaica Observer on November 3 titled ‘Jamaica needs the teachings of his majesty’ .
I read the report due to intrigue to discover what these principles were but only stumbled upon the same rhetoric that has been regurgitated out of the mouths ofRastafarians throughout history. The foundation of the point proposed by the author about His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassi I’s teachings was quite simple, peace.
However, my mind was not satisfied with this as most of the time was spent showcasing the important history that was left behind by His Majesty. In order for a person or group to fully accept the principles or practices of another deemed more influential, it should be fundamental that the roots of such a person be assessed. One should also be able to apply this analysis to parts of the Rastafarian community as some are the biggest proponents of Emperor Haile Selassie as a deity figure rather than a man who worshipped Christ as much as the rest of Ethiopia and the world.
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was born Tafari Makonnen and ruled from 1930 until his death in 1974. He was so entrenched in his Christian beliefs as a young boy that he became a deacon before the age of 10. One of his most significant feats came with the creation of the Organisation of African Unity, an organisation used to end the iron fist of colonialism and apartheid within Africa while promoting solidarity among African nations. However, in August 1975 he was assassinated at the hands of the Marxist military Government at the time.
Based on the teachings of Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey, among others, Selassie is believed to be the promised returned Messiah and is worshipped by some Rastafarians locally and abroad until this day.
Throughout his life Haile Selassie was a devoted believer and follower of Christianity. He did his best as a young man to hold firm to the tenets set within scripture. In order to ensure the continued teaching of Christianity throughout his time he orchestrated the construction of various churches in Ethiopia. His presence in the faith grew ever present as he even tried while in power to mend certain ideological/denominational differences with other Christians from other territories, such as the Middle East. He spoke of Christ with such reverence, passion, and vigour that he was referred to as the champion of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
In one of his speeches Selassie stated: “When Jesus Christ was born from Virgin Mary, from that time on He lived an exemplary life, a life which men everywhere must emulate.”
To put it simply, Selassie’s belief was founded on the teachings of scripture. He, too, like the rest of humanity, wanted to be ready to learn while following the will of God.
Selassie was a Christian man with a strong faith and belief in the words of Elohim. He believed even the most basic teaching, which is that Christ was born of a virgin. But let us explore some of his foundation a bit further.
One of the first major tenets of Christianity is the denial of self and the acceptance of a power and being greater than all life, God.
Throughout the 1930s the Rastafarian movement developed as a result of the work of Leonard P Howell, a Garveyite. It was the words of Garvey that placed importance on the black messiah, who was later claimed to be Emperor Haile Selassie I. He became the face of the movement, even being referred to as the second coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh or a direct descendant. However, in an interview done in 1967 with the CBC network, reporter Bill McNeil said, “There are millions of Christians throughout the world, Your Imperial Majesty, who regard you as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.” In response, Selassie stated, “I have heard of that idea. I also met certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that I am a man, that I am mortal, and that I will be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or pretending that a human being is emanated from a deity.”
In this instance we see the stance that he took regarding the notion of the Rastafarian movement. Unlike Christ who died and rose again, Selassie made the statement that after he goes others shall spring forth, thus continuing the cycle of life. And being a man of class and valour, he refrained from disrespecting the movement and rather saw the need to establish an Ethiopian Orthodox Church within Jamaica with the intention of further spreading the doctrine of Christ among the people.
Another tenet regarding the belief in Christianity would be the idea of having faith.
Selassie encourages the use of the scriptures to further learn about the ways of Christ. In one speech in particular he was asked to give an example of how faith in Christ sustained him, and he replied that there were many moments when faith in Christ and the Christian faith sustained him during moments of peril or difficulties. Selassie continued by saying that through prayer, forgiveness, and obeying the commandments of the true and living Christ the world can know peace.
One important note that should be highlighted regarding the faith of Haile Selassie is the idea of decorum, not only from the point of view of physical appearance but from a moral standpoint. The Christian is told to carry himself with a level of modesty when interacting with the world. The scriptures admonishes Christians to be in the world but not of it. This means that there should be some level of separation in how one conducts himself or herself. The word and spirit of the living God can make itself known through the fruits it expresses to humankind. Basically, according to the words of Haile Selassie, we should strive to be good examples in Christ.
It is humbling to accept that humans have made many mistakes.
It is easy for mankind to reject the notion of Christ or claim divinity within ourselves, but by reading and listening to the words of Selassie it is evident that the only way for Jamaica and the world to change is through a mass revival of the Christian faith. It is far from simply wishing for peace on Earth and goodwill toward our fellow man. It takes the denial of self (being a servant of God), faith in God, and being an example of God.
Utilise your talents to give praises to Elohim. Do not hide them but rather go into the world (no matter how near or far) and ensure the messages of Elohim are sent out.
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