Founders of Religions

From reading about the Rastafari and Baha'i faiths, I started wondering about the founders, leaders, and prominent people of the religions. I thought it was interesting that Haile Selassie was believed to be God incarnated by the Rastas, and he was alive during this time, but not much is available about what he says or believes. It's like he's revered from a distance and isn't really a part of the religion himself.

Baha'u'llah, on the other hand, started off following another man and his beliefs and ended up becoming a leader, and then proclaiming himself as "He Whom God shall make manifest." In this biography, we got to see his life and writings and how the Baha'i faith came about.

What makes these interesting to me is that they are so recent. Although I am not religious, pretty much the only exposure I've had during most of my life has been to Christianity. All the prophets and prominent people of that religion lived so long ago. Part of the reason I had trouble believing all of it was because I didn't see any prove. How could you prove something that happened so long ago? That's not to say that I believe all the claims of the more recent religions, but it's something more new to me, that interests me.

I enjoyed reading about Baha'u'llah because I got a sense of the kind of person that founds a religion. Even though some of it is a little hard to believe, you still see parts of his personality. I still would like to get inside his head more though, see his motivations for his actions. Did he truly believe the whole time that he was this messianic figure? Did he have doubts about himself and his cause when people were getting killed and his family was turning against him? Of course, knowing this would probably make him less of a religious figure because of the flawed human qualities it would show. But it's something I've always been curious about.

Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i Faith

The process of founding a new religion, in this case the Baha'i faith, doesn't happen overnight. There seems to be a lot of elements that go into it. The two things that stood out to me the most were the eloquent, charismatic leader, and the hardships and oppression of a group of people.

Baha'u'llah didn't start out thinking he was going to found a new religion (at least I don't think so). He started out following the Babi Faith and the words of Sayyid 'Ali Muhammad. Through the years, these followers were hated and feared, and treated badly. Baha'u'llah was imprisoned, put into a dark pit for a while, exiled, and went through many rough times, along with those who followed him as a leader of Babis. Because of the nature of Baha'u'llah, he gained the respect and reverence of many people. He became a comfort in trying times, always strong in his convictions. His generosity captured people's attention and respect. His ability to stay calm, to be unfazed in the face of death, torture, and opposition amazed people. During the time when the Kurds tried to assassinate him, he didn't flinch or try to protect himself, but instead told a story, which touched some of the Kurds so much they "bowed low before Baha'u'llah and left (p 48)." Even though they were there to kill him. During another attempt by the Kurds to assassinate him, Baha'u'llah "sat down and spoke to them in such a way that they left amazed at the way their enmity and anger had been transformed into affection and acquiescence (p 53)." The founder of a religion must have this power of people in order to win them over. This coupled with the hardship and oppression of the Babis lead to them eager and willing to follow him.

The faith also gained prominence as rituals began emerging. "Within the Babi community there had been signs that affairs were about to enter a new phase...it had been the custom of the Babis to gather together in the evenings and chant their holy writings...Baha'u'llah began to give the Babis tablets of his own...to recite every evening (p 59)." Baha'u'llah was becoming a main part of the ceremony of the Babis, someone they listened to regularly. They held rituals around his words, making him the center of their faith.

The declaration of Baha'u'llah's mission made the Baha'i religion really begin. After he had built up his reputation, his respect, and his importance in this community of people, all that they were waiting for was this public declaration. His prestige in the community, which came from his charisma in the face of the hardships, had convinced pretty much everyone of his station already, he just needed to come and claim it. The rest of the work was set up by the many years and events prior.

Similarities of Music and Religion

So in our class discussions, we've been talking some about how religion gets borrowed and interpreted and changed through you picks it up. I've never really thought about it this way, I used to not like that religion's would borrow aspects because I thought that it was almost like lying. A religion's trying to say that they're right about their faith, but then what they base their religion on is parts of other religions and I thought that was kinda cheap. But from this class and talking about it, I see religion differently, not looking at just the faith side, but the social side and how it's used.

Because of this, and looking at the Rastarian faith, I noticed how music is similar to religion. In my last free post, I also write about music and religion, so I figured I'd go on about that. Music is also similar to religion in the way it evolves. We talked about people borrowing stories or ideas and making them their own in religion. This also happens in music, which was talked about a bit in the Rastafari book. People build on previous music genres, change it to fit their lives or positions or whatever, and create something new. I think it's interesting to find parallels between music genres and see how something might have been adapted from something else. And I've always considered that a good thing, a sharing and borrowing of ideas that creates something new. Rastas are a great example because that religion did both of these things; borrowed and changed religious aspects and created a new musical form based on others.

I tried to find a video to illustrate this and this was the best I found, plus it includes Bob Marley.

The Bobo Shanti

The first thing I noticed about this group of Rastafarians was their clothes. They have uniform men and women outfits, quite unlike Bob Marley and kind, who wear many different types of clothing. I noticed the backup singers for Bob Marley wore traditional African clothing, while he seems to usually wear casual, more Western style clothing, which thinking about it, seems a little odd. But the Bobo Shanti's clothing was more Christianized. The women wore nun-like outfits, and the men, long-sleeves and cloaks. The colors are specific to the Rastas, but the style is more Christian. This is very different from the Bob Marley kind of Rasta, who either employ African traditional dress or Westernized clothing.

In the beginning of the narration, it's revealed that the Bobo Shanti are "preparing for the moment to finally cross the Atlantic." As we talked about, Marley's take on the journey to Ethiopia/Africa is more spiritual, a mental state, instead of actually going there. However, these Rastafarians apparently still believe that that is what they should do. It's also said they are the most traditional, which is reflected in this. They haven't changed with the times. In Chapter 5 of Edmonds' book Rastafari, he explains how the Jamacian government started working with the Rastas and sent missions to African countries to see if they would take Rastafarians. But they weren't really wanted there. So after this, probably, is when the view started changing from a physical 'exodus' to a mental one.

The Bobo Shanti seem very isolated. More well-known Rastafarians live in Jamaican society and openly reject Western ideals and are active in speaking out with music. These Rastas however, seem to keep to themselves, at least from this video. They have their own views, but do not preach them using song or anything else. One of the women who speak though, says that they are scattered, so perhaps there are other Bobo Shanti who are more integrated into society.

There is a greater emphasis on the teachings of the Bible as well. I didn't notice much mention of the Bible in Bob Marley style Rastafari. There's influence from it of course, but no direct passages quoted, or specifics to the Bible itself, just the ideas within it.

The ceremony is also a big difference. Bob Marley style Rastas seem to do the go-with-the-flow kinda thing. The Bobo Shanti have more organized religion type aspects, with the rituals and praying and community activities. Overall, the Bobo Shanti are more Christianized, organized, and traditional than the Rastafarians like Bob Marley and those he reaches through his music.

And just as a last thought, did anyone else notice the part about the signs? There's a sign that says 'equality and justice for all people" and then the next sign is "black [over] white" as the narrator says "goodness over evil." I haven't noticed much dehumanizing of whites by Rastafarians, more rejection of white ideals as black ideals and the colonial rule, but this seems a little contradictory. I don't know if it was purposefully narrated that way, seeing whites as evil, but I would think that equality and justice for all would mean that blacks and whites were equal...

Uniting Music

Starting to talk about the Rastafari movement got me thinking about music in religion. I think that many people think of Bob Marley and reggae music when Rastafari is mentioned. There is so much connection to religion and music, and we've talked about it some with the psalms. I think part of the reason music is so important in religion (some more than others) is its ability to bring people together. Bob Marley and reggae is a perfect example. Maybe music became so important because there is no real central organization to Rastas. Community is a huge part of religion and music helps create community so music and religion go together. I like the music aspect of religion because of the fact that it brings people together. There are things about religion that tear people apart, that create conflict, that turn people against each other and kill each other. But music, especially if you listen to some of Bob Marley's songs, promote love and harmony. It promotes human rights and taking a place in the world, but not through conflict and war. It is also something that I think everyone can enjoy. I am not a Rastafarian, I don't even believe in God, but I still enjoy music written about or inspired by God and religion.

The Queen of Sheba

From the very beginning of the reading of the Kebra Negast, you get a sense of the importance of Ethiopia. In section 20, "Concerning the Division of the Earth," it is stated that "the Emperor of Ethiopia is the firstborn and eldest son of Solomon." This is after the events in the Queen of Sheba story, but it starts out portraying the significance and then goes into how this came about.

After the merchant Tamrin went to Israel and learned from King Solomon, he desired to go back to Ethiopia. Right at the start we get the idea that Ethiopia is a nice place to be, if he wants to give up all the wonders and riches of being in Israel to go back to it. And when the Queen learns about Solomon, she immediately sees that she must go to him. She is such a good, wise queen that she doesn't hesitate in her conviction of the wisdom of Solomon.

It is written that many others came to learn from Solomon, but that only takes up one line. Through this story it is shown the special attention Solomon gave to the Queen. She was wise, she accepted the word of God, and decided this is the way her country will be ruled from then on. But then, she wished to go back. Again, another person giving up the life in Israel to go to Ethiopia. She learned what she could from Solomon and now wanted to go back to her country and improve it by using what she learned. Israel was the source of the greatness, but it was then passed on to Ethiopia, which was worthy of it.

From reading up on Wikipedia, other accounts, such as that in the Hebrew Bible, do not mention any sexual relations between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. The Ethiopian version is unique in that and it presents a very different image. Solomon chose out the Queen, hoping to "give [his] seed in her." He wanted a continuation of his line in Ethiopia and places where his wisdom and belief in God could spread. Ethiopia, therefore, is a very significant place. Solomon sees this in his vision after sleeping with the Queen as well. He see a sun that shines over Israel, but then goes to Ethiopia and "lighted up the country of Ethiopia; peradventure that country shall be blessed through thee; God knoweth." From this story, it seems the sacredness of Israel is going to be transferred to Ethiopia: a pretty big deal I'd say. And after the birth of her son, the Queen decrees that women will no longer rule the country, but only men from Solomon's line. The country is ever connected to Israel and this line of men. It is the country that was chosen to carry on Solomon's line and the lifestyle of the faith.

Conceptual Blending

When I first started reading this, I was so lost, especially thinking about how it applies to religion. But then after reading, I started thinking specifically about how they relate. I was surprised at how much conceptual blending I could think about in religion. People come together in religions and have stories, oral or written, about life and things in life and how to behave and so on. And these stories have morals for how people should live. Having a moral automatically makes people relate the story to themselves. They may think about how they would behave in that situation, or when in a certain situation they will remember that story and remember how to act. The stories don't have to be true and they probably don't even have to be believable, but because of this blending mechanism we have, we can span the time period or place to blend our story and that one.

The skier and waiter example made me think about rituals. Every religion has certain rituals they perform, or things they can't eat, or they aren't supposed to do. And some of those things you can obviously see why they are rules. Most people think that 'don't kill people' is a good rule to live by. But other things have less obvious reasoning behind them. I don't know specifics of religions but I have heard that certain rituals or rules in some religions were brought about because of health reasons during the time. What better way to get people to do something (or not to do something) than telling them they'll go to hell if they don't? So the ritual or rule is given in a divine way, and people don't really think about the actual reason for it. The skier example reminded me of this because the beginning skier didn't know the position for skiing, but did for something else. So without thinking about how they were similar, he blended them. It's not a perfect similarity, but I think it works.

Rise of Atheism

I was reading the New York Times the other day and came across this article called More Atheists Shout It From the Rooftops. I thought it was interesting and reminded me of a post Anne put up a while ago. I'm not quite sure how I feel about the organization of atheists and humanists though. On the one hand, I think it's a really good thing because organized people have more power and influence. Also, people with the same or similar beliefs have some place to talk about it and feel comfortable with people like them. People are social, we need to feel like we belong somewhere. However, I'm a little hesitant because I think with groups and organization can come problems and conflict. If the humanist and atheist groups stay true to their purpose and stay open and willing to discuss, I'm all for this. But if people start thinking of themselves as better for whatever reason, or get into arguments about who is right and are not respectful or open to others views, I don't think it's as good of a thing anymore.

At the end of the article, there is some discussion of Pastafarians and I liked what the leaders said their goal was, "not confrontation, or even winning converts, but changing the public’s stereotype of atheists." Because earlier in the article, there are polls which "continue to show that atheists are ranked lower than any other minority or religious group when Americans are asked whether they would vote for or approve of their child marrying a member of that group." Apparently people still think that atheists have no morals or something? But anyway, I like the idea that they are trying to change people's views, without degrading them about their beliefs, just simply trying to find a place in the world.