Editing Rastafari (section)

=== Jah and Jesus Christ===

Rastas are [[monotheism|monotheists]], worshipping a singular God whom they call [[Jah]]. The term "Jah" is a shortened version of "[[Jehovah]]", the name of God in English translations of the [[Old Testament]].{{sfnm|1a1=Cashmore|1y=1983|1p=24|2a1=Rubenstein|2a2=Suarez|2y=1994|2p=2|3a1=Barrett|3y=1997|3p=83}} Rastas believe in the [[immanence]] of Jah,{{sfn|Chevannes|1990|p=135}} who is inherent within each individual.{{sfnm|1a1=Cashmore|1y=1983|1p=6|2a1=Clarke|2y=1986|2p=12|3a1=Barnett|3y=2006|3p=876|4a1=Fernández Olmos|4a2=Paravisini-Gebert|4y=2011|4p=196}} This belief is reflected in the aphorism, often cited by Rastas, that "God is man and man is God",{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=36}} and Rastas speak of "knowing" Jah, rather than simply "believing" in him.{{sfn|Clarke|1986|p=65}} In seeking to narrow the distance between humanity and divinity, Rastafari embraces [[mysticism]].{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=92}} This idea of connecting to a singular divine force within differs from the forms of [[spirit possession]] found in other African diaspora religions, such as [[Kumina]] and [[Convince]], where external spirits are invited into the body.{{sfn|Chevannes|2011|p=573}}

[[Jesus]] is an important figure in Rastafari.{{sfn|Clarke|1986|p=67}} However, practitioners reject the traditional Christian view of Jesus, and they also reject the [[Race and appearance of Jesus|depiction of him as a white European]].{{sfnm|1a1=Clarke|1y=1986|1p=67|2a1=Barrett|2y=1997|2p=106}} They believe Jesus was a black African, and that the white Jesus was a false god.{{sfnm|1a1=Clarke|1y=1986|1p=67|2a1=Warner-Lewis|2y=1993|2p=110}} Many Rastas regard Christianity as the creation of the white man;{{sfn|Chawane|2014|p=232}} they treat it with suspicion out of the view that the oppressors (white Europeans) and the oppressed (black Africans) cannot share the same God.{{sfn|Soumahoro|2007|p=39}} Some Rastas take the view that the God worshipped by most white Christians is actually [[the Devil]],{{sfn|Barrett|1997|p=108}} and a recurring claim among Rastas is that the [[Pope]] is [[Satan]] or the [[Antichrist]].{{sfnm|1a1=Pereira|1y=1998|1p=35|2a1=Benard|2y=2007|2p=93}} Rastas therefore often view Christian preachers as deceivers{{sfn|Barrett|1997|p=108}} and regard Christianity as being guilty of furthering the oppression of the [[African diaspora]],{{sfnm|1a1=Watson|1y=1973|1p=191|2a1=Soumahoro|2y=2007|2p=46}} frequently referring to it as having perpetrated "mental enslavement".{{sfn|Cashmore|1981|p=175}}