Rastafarianism was founded by Tafari Makonnen in 1930 in Harer Ethiopia (RMHP 1). The group drew their inspirations from the teachings of Marcus Garvey and aimed at uniting the black race. Rastafarians consider parts of the Holy Bible to be sacred and reject the Bible commonly used by Christians in preference of Holy Piby. The group has between 3000 and 5000 members in the United States and approximately one million members’ world wide (RMHP 1).
Initially, the male dominated religious movement comprised of slum dwellers and people occupying the low status in the society. However, the group has managed to penetrate the middle class and majority of its members are currently from minority groups. Rastafarianism does not have a clearly defined leader and individual members and groups remain independent despite the fact that they share similar beliefs which makes the movement’s belief system extremely vague.
The Universal Negro Improvement Associations and African Communities League were founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914 In St Ann’s Bay, Jamaica (RMHP 1). The religious movement sought to unite black people around the world and promote pride among them. UNIA gained widespread popularity in America in the late 1920s due to Garvey’s extensive campaigns in the region. The group base their teachings and doctrines on the constitution, Book of Laws of Universal Negro Improvement Associations, and the declaration of Rights of Negro people of the world which advocate for the rights of blacks (RMHP 1). Its membership was limited to persons of Negro blood and African descent who were deemed eligible by virtue of being black. Unfortunately, UNIA received a major blow in 1940 following the death of Marcus Garvey which significantly hindered achievement of the movement’s original goals.
The Brethren church was founded by Alexander Mark in 1708 in Schrisheim in Germany. The Brethren incorporated the ideas of pietism, who felt the need for increased personal and spiritual experience in religion and Anabaptist in their religious believes hence focused more on the outside expression of faith (RMHP 1). The group set itself apart from mainstream religions in an attempt to distance them from the ‘sinful world’ by deeply committing into the primitive church model laid out in the New Testament. This religious movement believes in strict maintenance of faith and unity among Christians as well as believer baptism. They base their faith on the teachings of The New Testament and promote the virtues of obedience and discipline among its followers.
Differences between Rastafarianism, UNIA, and the Brethren from other ‘Mainline’ Traditional Denominations
The mainline churches are characterized by large number of followers due to their strong religious foundation, persistence over time, and a wide scope. Rastafarianism has approximately over one million followers majority of whom are Africans; The Universal Negro Improvement Association gained much popularity only in the United States, while The Brethren Church was widespread in America and Europe. On the other hand, mainline churches such as Roman Catholic is among the largest branch of Christianity in the world with over a billion Roman Catholics spread across Europe, America, Africa, and other continents (RMHP 1).
Traditional ‘mainline’ churches seek to maintain healthy relationship with the state government and are often consulted on certain political issues. The traditional churches defend religious matters at the political level and participate actively in politics by intervening on behalf of their followers. This is in contrast to Rastafarianism which has been associated with violence through frequent media reports regarding detailed murders executed by individuals identifying themselves as Rastafarians (RMHP 1).
UNIA was associated with anti communism campaigns and black rights movements which resulted in conflict between the government and the religious movement. One such incidence took place in the late 1910s when Marcus Garvey letter to British Honduras inciting racial discrimination was considered a national threat to the national security of United States during the First World War period. Moreover, The Brethren Church distanced itself from matters of politics and war in an attempt to restore the Church as Jesus had left it.
Rastafarianism, UNIA, and The Brethren churches are more critical of status quo in society than the traditional churches are. While traditional churches emphasized on members conformation to the current situational status, Rastafarianism and UNIA identified that racial inequality was existing in most Western societies and responded by protesting against racial discrimination and fighting for the rights of black people. The Brethren church has also progressed over the years and actively participates in contemporary moral issues as evidenced by its establishment of Brethren/Mennonite council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. In addition, the traditional churches have complex bureaucratic structures relative to these religious movements and their level of influence on the society is also considerably higher.
Similarities between Rastafarianism, UNIA, and the Brethren
Marginality: Rastafarianism and UNIA emerged as a result of marginalization of minority groups in the society. Their membership constituted the blacks, slum dwellers, and poverty stricken people in desperate search of security from social marginalization. In addition, the Brethren received a lot of criticisms from external world due to their peculiar religious practices such as plain dressing and were nicknamed ‘Dunkers’ for their baptism by immersion practices. Hence, Rastafarianism and UNIA emerged from social marginalization while the Brethren resulted in marginalization of its members in the society.
Hostility: Rastafarianism is constantly associated with violence and hostility confined to individuals and loosely defined groups. However, the religion’s image significantly improved in the 70s with the emergence of positive culture force which incorporated Jamaican art and Reggae music. UNIA violently demonstrated against racial discrimination in America and often engaged in physical confrontations with opposing groups. The Brethren did not participate in war during the revolutionary war. However, discipline among members was maintained through punishment.
Rebellion: Rastafarianism demonstrates rebellion to existing status through wearing dreadlocks and smoking marijuana. In fact, dreadlocks have been a major source of controversy in American schools and corporate America while marijuana has been banned in most states in the world. The United Negro Improvement Association demonstrated its rebellion by protesting against the white man’s rule, promoting anti-communists campaigns, rioting, lynching, and mob rule. The Brethren also resisted national demands to participate in revolutionary war which resulted in their persecution.
All the three religious movements subscribe to a higher power and derive motivation from specific teachings and doctrines. The Rastafarians subscribe to Jah as their supreme deity and are inspired by parts of the Bible and the teachings of Marcus Garvey. UNIA base their practices on the constitution, and its Books of laws while the Brethren subscribe to God and derive inspiration entirely from the New Testament. In addition, these religious movements are becoming more secularized which has led to the abolishment of original doctrines in preference of modern accommodative doctrines.
Work cited
Religious Movement Homepage Project. “Religious movements.” The University of Virginia: RMHP, 2005. Web.