Etana shares her religious beliefs and experiences

Part of Etana’s pre-show routine, or during a tour, used to involve speaking a Bible verse, particularly from the book of Psalms. That all changed after taking note of a pastor’s advice that roared from the speakers of a tour bus she was travelling on. It was all the more impactful because the radio had not worked until that moment. Etana recalls that the hard-hitting words of the pastor were, “You are quoting the 23rd Psalm, but you don’t know the shepherd”. “I used to quote a couple verses, the 23rd Psalm or any Psalm I think is relevant at that time and space. Him [the pastor] seh, ‘Your faith needs to be bigger, you need to believe, to know, to trust and keep your mouth shut’, and then the radio goes off. This (a random act) is how I get most of my messages,” Etana told THE STAR. The Jah Chariot singer says she had a Christian upbringing before expanding her knowledge into the beliefs of other denominations, including that of Rastafari. However, she does not necessarily tie down herself to the African-centred religion. “I learnt something that changed my life; it’s not about religion and what the pastor says,’ she said. “Some persons think it is about essentially gathering together, but we often forget. We get so caught up in the rules of the Church and all these things, we forget that what is most important is to care, share and love each other the way we want to be loved. By doing good, I think that is when you are truly serving God.”

Another memory Etana shared with THE STAR is that of a dancer dressed in skimpy shorts and a blonde weave getting into spirit, speaking in tongues while on tour with another artiste.

“The dancer then started to pray and the whole bus was laughing, as if to say how this dancehall lady could have any kind of God in her. It was then that I advised them not to laugh because God has no bias. It is not about the messenger, it’s the message,” Etana said. “Jah, God, Jehovah, Jesus, the Supreme is one in all.”

She said based on what she has read, Jesus interacted with criminal-minded individuals, including prostitutes.

“With that said, I judge no one; I have no judgement and everybody an’ me par,” she said. “What you give is what you get. Therefore, I know I must always strive to do the best I can for the benefit of everyone or the greater good; that this is what is more important than any religion or denomination.”

The reggae singer says that is the message she shares with her own children when guiding them as it relates to religion.