THE EDITOR, Madam:
UNDER THE headline "Grace & Ganja" in your Religion Focus last Saturday, Anglican priest Ernle Gordon asks Rastafarians to explain 'how they interpret the use of ganja as a sacrament'. He said such an explanation must be forthcoming "if permission is to be given to the Rastafarians for use of ganja in their liturgical rite.""
Rastafarians are not requesting "permission" but rather recognition of the non-negotiable fact of ganja as l&l Sacrament (despite its illegal status). I will respond from a personal perspective to friend Ernle's question, though not presuming to speak on behalf of the Rastafarian nation.
Ernle asks Rastafarians to "share their theological understanding of ganja as an outward Sacramental Sign of an inward Spiritual Grace" equal to the Christian Eucharist of bread and wine.
I cannot understand why the sacrament of another faith should replicate the meaning and form of ancient Christian rituals in order to be considered worthy. His question leads me to ask whether the partaking of the bread-and-wine sacrament creates an 'Inward Spiritual Grace' in Christians. If so, how is this manifested in Jamaica today, full of Christians partaking in a once-a-week ritual alleged to create 'inward and spiritual grace'? Where is the overwhelming spiritual grace evident in Jamaica today?
Contradiction
Perhaps I&I could interpret that the spiritual contradiction of an alcohol-and-flesh-substitute sacrament has worked on the contrary to create an immoral, 'fleshical' nation, drunk on the blood of its brothers and sisters.
On the other hand, the strength and growth of the Rastafarian religion nationally and internationally, has been visible proof that use of the ganja sacrament leads to the creation of Peace, Love and Harmony in believers and adherents, creating a positive counterbalance and role model in the country and the world.
Ernle writes that Christians believe their sacrament is "the body and blood of Jesus" and asks if Rastafari's sacrament 'reveals similar truths'. From my personal experience, partaking of the Rastafarian sacrament of ganja smoke energises the flame of God-spirit within my 'fleshical' temple, and unites me with the Creator. This needs to be in constant unity with the God (Jah) spirit within is the message brought by Yeshua the Messiah called Jesus by Christians. So Rastafarians do not use their sacrament in the same way the orthodox Christians do.
Ernle says the benefits of his wine and bread sacrament are "forgiveness of sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another...." The benefit of I&I sacrament is the early recognition of the need to cease from sin and live righteously. Thereafter I&I are no longer preoccupied with seeking forgiveness, but in gaining greater wisdom in the ways of righteousness. This is greatly facilitated by continuous partaking of the sacrament, which produces great spiritual wisdom peacefulness and godly love within the believer.
I am, etc.,
BARBARA BLAKE -HANNAH
P.O Box 727, Kingston 6
