As the I said, Haile Selassie I was no fool. It is possible he used religion as a reason to claim power. As Lij Iyesu was the first in line for the throne, Haile Selassie I only came to be Negus because he rallied the christian nobles and brought them to his side because not only of Lij Iyesu being a muslim, but also because of his infidelities with many women and other indescretions. It is good that Haile Selassie I did this and convinced the nobles to support him, because we all know Haile Selassie I was a great ruler and cared for the upvelopment of his people and continent, which Lij Iyesu appeared to not care about as he was living undisciplined and as a party boy basically. But all this to say, Haile Selassie I was a diplomat and he knew how to negotiate a deal that would come out in his favor. He possibly used religion among other reasons as a negotiation tactic.
Again it is because he is a great diplomat that he knew the claim to Solomon's throne was his great authority to rulership. Of course any smart person would uphold a story or narrative that would help to bolster his right to rulership.
Although Haile Selassie I subscribed to the christian faith, he was always very open about his stance on religion, that all religions are valid, that spirituality is above religion and that unity of spirit is more important than religious belief.
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