United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
December 10, 1948
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion:
This right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom,
either alone or in community with others and in public or private,
to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
November Coalition
Speaks on U.N. Article 18
Excerpt from "Razor Wire," May/June '98
The government has prosecuted every effort to establish new religions that involve the use of mind expanding drugs. When the Drug War even infringed on the Native American Church's ceremonial use of peyote, Congress created a special, narrow exemption for it through the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993; but the Supreme Court struck it down. The Drug War has effectively outlawed traditional cannabis-based religions such as the Rastafari, Coptic Christians, Sufi Moslem, Sadhu Hindu, etc. Courts routinely exclude all testimony or reference to their religious motives when "the facts" of a case are presented to a jury.
PFPF's Letter of Solidarity
The United States federal government's War on Drugs has destroyed the lives of countless innocent citizens and continues to erode our nation's regard for human rights.
Pray for Peace News stands in solidarity with the November Coalition in seeking a conclusion to the drug war, and an end to the needless suffering that has come with it. We also stand in solidarity with the New American Church Association and other religious groups that seek an exemption to use natural plant sacraments like marijuana and peyote.
Rastafarians Take Shelter of U.N. Declaration of Human Rights
Position of the LOJ, Inc.
For us, our position is that the Marijuana plant Herself known to us as "MARYAM" is sacred and holy and used sacrementally. To violate our right to possess and utilize Her benefits given to us by Almighty GOD violates Article 18 of the UDHR of December 10, 1948. We are sovereign citizens and therefore we as Rastafari have unalienable rights not inalienable ones. We seek civil liberties which are GOD-given not civil rights which are man-made. We are active in defense of sistren and brethren who have become Prisoners of War (POWs) due to the Marijuana Conspiracy and Cannabis War.
Establishment of Maryam's True Church
To defend Our sovereign rights and those of Maryam we of the Lion of Judah Mission, Inc. have established within Our order the first church of Qidist Maryam (Mary) of the Rastafari known as the ARK OF MARYAM (AOM) to defend the Herb of Maryam known as Marijuana. The Order has a priesthood which is based upon the IMAGE OF GOD: MALE AND FEMALE (refer to Genesis 1:26 - 27).
Our Sisterhood is known as the Sisterhood Educational Learning and Advancement Ministry and the Brotherhood of Our Order is known as the Ethiopian Brotherhood of the Nazarene (EBN). Our Holy Scriptures is THE BOOK OF THE SEVEN SEALS known as H.I.M. HAILE SELLASSIE I 1961 AUTHORIZED AMHARIC BIBLE revealed to the world in 1991 (Revelations 8:1) by QES HAILEYESUS SELLASSIE (Ras Iadonis). We have also established a Bible Society to coordinate the learning of the Classical Amharic language and facilitate the future translations based upon His Imperial Majesty's version. This Bible Society is called the BIBLE SOCIETY OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY (BSHIM) and His Majesty has been named as the CEO. Based upon Our theology, Our Divine Heritage, His and Her Majesties, H.I.M. THE FIRST HAILE SELLASSIE and H.I.M. THE FIRST WOLLETE GIYORGIS are the Divine Patriarch and Matriarch of Our Race through Our Sovereign and Saviour IESUS of NAZRET known as KRISTOS, the Love of YAH RASTAFARI.
*SPECIAL NOTICE: Inspiration for the Ark of Maryam church was given by Sister Makeda Levi (Barbara Blake Hannah) on Sunday, the 12th of December (St. Mary's Day) at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Ethiopian Church in Bronx, NYC when Ras Iadonis (Haileyesus Sellassie) was asked to restore manuscripts of the 3 prayers of Our Lady known as "The Virgin's Prayer." (An updated English/Amharic version of the Virgin's Prayer is currently being prepared for book release by the Ethiopian Christmas, January 7th 1999.)
A Greater Than Solomon
The Holy Herb known as Marijuana was found it is said on King Solomon's grave. This, to some, is a mystery. However, briefly explained for those with perception, Marijuana refers to the two witness at IESUS' crucifixion, Mary the Mother of Iesus and John (Juan) the Disciple whom He loved. The founding prophet, priest-king of this Order in modern times is QES HAILEYESUS SELLASSIE who resides presently in NYC and performs the rites of baptism by fire and spirit. WE DEFEND THE FOUNDATION TEACHINGS OF THE ETHIOPIAN TEWAHEDO (ORTHODOX) CHURCH KNOWN AS THE "RI'ITU HAYMANOT." SELAH.
Links and Books: Click here for links, music, and books on the Rastafarian religion.
A good book about the history of marijuana: Green Gold the Tree of Life: Marijuana in Magic & Religion, by Chris Bennet. Amazon customer review: "A very valueable resource for anyone interested in the scholarly side of psychedelic history and the anthropological effects."
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