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​In 2018, Stephen Colbert laughed as he featured a segment on his show about "the first cannabis Church in North America." It seems analogous to Columbus "discovering North America." Remarkably, many people remain unaware of the irrefutable archaeological evidence of human footprints in North America dating back an astonishing 25,000 years. Likewise, there is limited awareness of the world's first legally recognized ganja church, the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church (EZCC). 

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The primary objective this website addresses is the need to protect and preserve the history, doctrines, and teachings of the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church. We do this by capturing, converting, and categorizing a wealth of rare text documents, home video footage, personal audio recordings, and 37 numbers of Coptic Times newspaper publications, distributed in 1979 free of charge. Humanity Pleading is committed to creating a rich repository of rare documents, historical records, doctrinal beliefs, audio teachings, and archival video footage related to the doctrine and historical truths of the EZCC, presented by the Elders, Scholars, and individual testimonials of Church members. 

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The EZCC, an influential force characterized by unwavering determination, proudly bore the mantle of being the tip of the spear in the quest for marijuana legalization, affectionately known as Ganja. Now, a half-century on, as the global journey toward Ganja's legitimization persists, it remains of paramount importance that we keep alive the memory of a fearless fellowship that emerged in the 1970s, espousing the teachings of RASTAFARI and recognizing the living Goud (God, as spelled by the EZCC).  

 

The EZCC was actively involved in the decriminalization of marijuana and wholeheartedly advanced the teachings of Marcus Garvey through their widely circulated newspaper, COPTIC TIMES, which boasted an impressive readership of 750,000. In a testament to their unwavering dedication to fostering a self-sustaining community, they expanded their portfolio by overseeing various enterprises, including Coptic Container Co., a substantial Kingston-based supermarket, a significant rice farming venture, thriving herds of livestock, and the meticulous cultivation of over 2,000 acres of fields. 

 

What truly set the EZCC apart was their fervent belief that cannabis (GANJA) is the sacred sacrament of scripture, an integral component of their daily lives and spiritual practices. They perceived references to it throughout the Bible, from the celebration of herbs in the book of Genesis to the smoke that poured from the Lord's nostrils in the book of Psalms, from the burning bush with Moses to the cup passed around during the Lord's supper in remembrance of Christ, and the "plant of renown" from Ezekiel 34:29 (KJV). It was the burning coal placed on Isaiah's lips in Chapter 6, signifying, "Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged." Additionally, the doctrine teaches it to be symbolized as the fiery baptism mentioned in the book of Matthew, 3:11.

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The two primary elders of the EZCC in the 1970's were Elder Walter W. Wells (Brother Wally) and Elder Niah Keith Gordon (Brother Keith).  Additionally, they professed an unwavering dedication to the revered prophet Marcus Garvey, a revered figure who aimed to achieve black nationalism through the revival of black history. The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church has firmly established its historical lineage by meticulously tracing its origins to the early church.

 

Through a wealth of historical records, archaeological discoveries, and sworn testimonies, the elders of the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church compellingly assert that their doctrines and teachings predate even the Ethiopian wise men who attended the birth of Jesus. Brother Wally, in his numerous interactions with the media, consistently underscored the inseparable connection between the church's origins and the birthplace of humanity, Ethiopia. Historically, this term has been synonymous with a substantial region of the African continent. These historical claims find staunch advocacy and validation through the unwavering support of distinguished academic scholars, including Dr. Ben-Jochannan, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima and Dr. George Simmonds.