I think Rasta, like many things are open to interpretation.

Being that Rasta was initially formed because the African people believed that the emperor would one day return and take them to the promised land.

However, I began studying it as a "path" more than a "faith" - though faith, to me, is a fairly big part of it.

I've kind of adopted my own ideals into the Rastafarian culture - in that it's more about peace, unity, and love.

As far as what they eat - I still just eat whatever, I'm not a full blown Rastafarian - and I don't even like to take the label Rastafarian - mostly due to my not wanting to offend anyone that is fully a true Rasta.

I definitely appreciate your open mindedness - as well as everyone else's on this forum. I've come across so many people that say: "Rasta? I bet you're not even black...you're just a poser." Which 1) I find to be entirely offensive and 2) extremely ignorant.