Ital!

Christian Science and The Rastafarian's Ital way of living are very similar. I don’t know much about the Christian scientists but I am familiar with some of their beliefs. They believe that very illness happens for a reason. Illnesses are a result of evil thoughts; therefore one is not to receive any medical attention.

The Rastafarian's have an “Ital” or an all natural way of living. The food they eat, the medical remedies they sometimes create, everything is all natural. I never knew how Bob Marley died before we discussed it in class. For some strange reason, I thought he was shot, but I found that he was diagnosed with toe cancer. The Ital way of living caused him to refuse any medical treatment. The disease then spread throughout his body, leading to his early death.

These ways of living are very appealing to me. Many of the religions we've studied are becoming more and more appealing in the sense that I would like to adopt a doctrine or two from each religion, and maybe create my own one day. =/..Ha ha….

Here is video that is completely irrelevant in connection with my blog, but I think its pretty funny:

Baha'u'llah

So I have read some of the other blogs and notice that some classmates are generalizing the Baha’i Faith and many other religions. Yes, many religions struggle in their formation and it’s not easy, but each struggle is different. Many elements are found in establishing this new religion, but a couple that stood out and made the Baha’u’llah foundation different are sacrifice, and the peoples respect.
This particular religion exists because of Baha’s leadership skills and his story. Not to say that his story or struggle is more phenomenal than other struggles that can occur during the formation of a religion, but this guy was a well respected leader among his people by choice. I don’t get the sense that he was all “preachy” like and manipulative; telling people what they should and should not do because of his personal beliefs. The people are following this man upon their own free will.
One section of the book that really stood out for me was on page 39 “In the early days of our arrival…..” Baha’u’llah left for northern Baghdad in the mountains. His words say it all and his motivations show that he was truly for the people.

Redemption Song

Today in class we discussed Bob Marley's Redemption Song to kind of lead us off with Rastafari. After listening to Redemption song, our class discussion led to an interesting question: Redemption from what? I think this was Marley's goal in creating this amazing song. He is challenging us to think of all the political social and spiritual issues that the Jamaicans encounter on a daily basis. He is also allowing us to recognize that these things are somewhat inevitable. “How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look? Ooh. Some say it’s just a part of it, we’ve go to fulfill the book” (Redemption Song, Marley). Political and Societal issues will never die. The only thing we have control over is our minds, which is why we need to “free ourselves” or in other words, “wake up and smell the coffee” . This is why Marley is a musical icon and genius. Not only are his songs catchy and cool, but they challenge me to think.

The Boboshantis

I saw many symbols reflected in this video on the Boboshanti people of the Jamaican Mountains. They identify themselves as African children and the most obvious of symbols is their clothing. The Bobshanti wear the Rastafarian colors, and red turbans. Some symbols: The turbans are worn as crowns; they created signs to represent their beliefs; they pray three times a day; and they keep a “fire of light” at the top of the mountain. In some of the areas, the Boboshanti’s have no electricity or water, but their preparation for their pilgrimage is more important to them.

This version of Rastafarian life is no different than what Marley sings about. The Boboshanti's are similar to most religions in which you often have the people who are more spiritually developed and prepare for their pilgrimage. Marley sings about the spiritual development of the people in some songs, but his more popular songs focus around societal issues. For example: Redemption song by Bob Marley relates to the Boboshanti’s. Marley refers to redemption song as “these songs of freedom.” Most of the lyrics in this song represent what the Boboshanti’s are all about. For example: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds” (Redemption song, Bob Marley) The Boboshanti’s seek redemption to renew themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. A Boboshanti by the name of “Ancient” mentioned in the video that he wants to be born again and redeem himself.

Is this what religions do?

On Wednesday we spoke about the Anglo Saxon World in connection with the Ethiopian version of The Queen of Sheba. The discussion led to the idea that religions find a way to associate themselves (rather than isolate themselves) to the world in a creative way. Is this what religions do? I don’t want to generalize, but in terms of the Geertz definition, I agree that this is what religions do. “A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.”- Geertz

The Anglo Saxons World finds a way to connect themselves in the 1950s, to the powerful figures in the bible. They have created their own Seal, suggesting that they are descendants of some sort. The creators of this Seal hit the Geertz definition right on the nose. They literally set up a system of symbols which motivates them and is the foundation of their beliefs. This is a veryyyy creative way to take on a religion.

The Ethiopian version of The Queen of Sheba also finds a very creative way to associate their beliefs to the world. The Queen of Sheba actually represents Ethiopia, which suggests that they are a nation of royalty. A story that had no sexual connotation in the Hebrew biblical version is turned into a very creative representation of Ethiopia.
They took a familiar story and created their own realm. Very interesting!

Kebra Negasta

Well I have to say this version of The Queen of Sheba is definitely different from the version I am familiar with. The Hebrew biblical version has no sexual connotation at all which completely changes the story. The fact that The Ethiopian version is very sexual shows a lot about Ethiopia’s values.(It also makes me wonder if the Hebrew biblical version is just trying to sugar code what seemed to be strictly platonic between the Queen of Sheba and Solomon).

Although Ethiopia is a very poor country, the nation remains very independent having a brief colonial history. I think this is strongly represented in Kebra Negasta. One powerful representation of the nation is The Queen of Sheba. She represents Ethiopia and Solomon is a man of great wisdom, so we are already presented with two very powerful figures from the beginning. The Queen of Sheba in the Ethiopian version was seduced by Solomon and conceived a child, her only son, Menyelek. This shows a special significance because this implies that Ethiopians come from Royalty; it is in their blood, and they definitely still hold these family values and show their pride today.

Side note: This can also play a part in why their Art is so unique, beautiful and full of color. These colors represent their pride.

Haile Selassie

Hailee Selassie was the Emperor of Ethiopia. Hailee Selassie also serves as a religious symbol for the Rastafarian's. Ive heard from some uncles of mine that Rastafarian's believe Selassie is Jesus reincarnated, pretty interesting. Bob Marley made a song for Selassie. This video also includes some pics of Rastafarian and Selassie. Check it out:



Rastafarian.net is an interesting website that has some blogs and Psalms up relating to the Rastafarian religion. Here are some cool websites:
http://www.rastafarian.net/
This website has Rastafarian artists, pictures,
articles etc. :
http://www.earthcultureroots.com/

Korean Christian Gospel Music

Gospel Music is music that expresses the beliefs of Christianity. I always thought gospel music was specifically a part of the African American Christian community, but apparently not. Check it out:

Conceptual Blending

A metaphor is an implicit comparison. I can find many implicit comparisons within the study of religion. Conceptual blending can be a metaphor but they remain two different things. I really like one of Augustine’s quotes on book 4. “But the speaker who is awash with the kind of eloquence that is not wise is particularly dangerous because audiences actually enjoy listening to such a person on matters of no value to them, and reckon that somebody who is heard to speak eloquently must also be speaking the truth” (Augustine 104).

So soooo true! I couldn't agree with Augustine more and for this reason the idea of religion can be a little frightening: The idea of conceptual blending in terms of religion can be a way to manipulate others to believe the orators personal beliefs. This is where the skepticism comes in.

I think there is some conceptual blending within this quote. First input: The truth is something or a statement that is factual. Second input: Somebody who speaks eloquently is someone who speaks “beautifully” or forcefully. So if we blend these two concepts we get that someone who speaks eloquently is telling the truth. Example: If a woman who is not so religious attended a religious convention (her friend dragged her there) to hear Augustine speak, she may walk in with some doubts. Even though the woman may not have agreed with the orator before she heard him speak, she is now interested in Christian Teachings. It is because he spoke with such a deep desire and passion to enlighten that the woman is now intrigued and believes that what Augustine is saying is true. Would this be a valid example of conceptual blending? hmmm

Side note: I really understood Conceptual Blending when reading the basketball example on page 279 of Facccounier’s work.