Jediism
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Jediism is a non-theistic new religious movement[1] based upon the philosophical and spiritual ideas of the Jedi as depicted in Star Wars media.[2]
The real-world Jedi assert the existence of the Force, and advocate adherence to the Jedi code.[3] According to recent censuses in some English-speaking countries, over 500,000 people declared their religion as Jedi, in addition, a few Jedi churches/temples exist around the world.[4]
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[edit] Philosophy
The Jedi interpret and use the philosophic teachings found in Star Wars, as well as other inspirational sources. Jediism is a blend of Taoism, Buddhism, and the teachings of Joseph Campbell and Alan Watts[5]. It also shares basic ideals with many other religions, the Code of Chivalry, and spiritual aspects of some martial arts[6]. In spite of holding different views and having different interpretations of the abundant Star Wars material, the Jedi share a set of core values essential to their path; the Force, and the code of conduct similar to the chivalry code, more commonly known as "The Jedi Code". However, as there is no set path, or no "holy book" in Jediism, the nature of the force is open to interpretation.[7]Some Jedi claim to use mind tricks for good in their daily lives and professions.[8]
[edit] The Force
The Force is what most Jedi believe everything comes from, what everything currently exists within, and what everything returns to. It is the energy behind the existence of everything known or not to humanity, a "unified field theory", a theory in philosophy and theoretical physics, and may be compared to the pantheist god[9]. The Force does not require prayer, worship, or other such actions as some other religions might, though most Jedi practice some forms of meditation.
Most Jedi choose to focus on the Force through one or more of the three widely accepted spiritual aspects: the Personal Force, the Living Force and the Unifying Force.
[edit] The 'Dark Side' and the Potentium Theory
The Jedi share different views regarding the Force and its nature. Some view the Force as having a Dark Side and a possible Light Side[10], while many prefer the "Potentium" theory, which states that there are no distinct sides within the Force.[11]
In Jediism, the most accepted explanation is that the Light and Dark sides of the Force are reflected by the individual's intent and emotional state within their heart (personal force). The Jedi are compassionate and care about improving and helping the lives of others, while Dark Jedi or Sith focus exclusively on self improvement and interest. The Shadow Jedi argue that "good" and "evil" are points of view, and that both Jedi and Sith wrongly inetrefere with the natural flow of the force, calling "sides" of the Force nothing more than superstition or metaphors.[12][13]
Some have also debated that the Star Wars movies do not mention two sides of the Force, only the Force and the "Dark Side", which can be perceived as the corruption within a Jedi, caused by their inability to handle the power of the Force, and not as corruption of the Force itself.
[edit] Controversy
[edit] Census
In 2001, around 500,000 people in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia recorded their religion as "Jedi" on their national census. Some people did this as they received a chain-mail E-mail stating Jedi would become an official religion if enough people wrote it on their census forms, when in fact, the UK for example does not "officially recognise" religions.
The Jedi community had existed for some time before the census, but the results were interpreted exclusively as a joke by the governments of their respective countries.
In March 2009, it was revealed that eight officers of the Strathclyde Police force in Scotland, in addition to two of its civilian staff, have their religion officially recorded in the force's records as "Jedi".[14]
[edit] The media
Jediism is often reported on the internet and in news articles in a negative or satirical way.[15]
[edit] Politics
In 2005, a draft of the "racial and religious hatred bill" in the UK specifically excluded Jedi Knights from any protection, alongside Satanists, Scientologists, sexists, racists, and believers in animal or human sacrifice.[16]
In November of 2006, two self-proclaimed Jedi wearing Star Wars robes and a third person disguised as a Wookiee demanded that the UN change the "International Day of Tolerance" to "Interstellar Day of Tolerance".[17]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Google Books Peter Bernard Clarke - New Religions in Global Perspective". Google Books. http://books.google.com/books?id=7GtknKrYhNYC&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149&dq=history+jediism&source=web&ots=YrAR34KKB2&sig=bRd9ITnvsIlZGj2bF2v4tcgHRMk&hl=en#PPA149,M1 Google Books.
- ^ "Lynne Hume, Kathleen McPhillips - Popular Spiritualities". Google Books. http://books.google.com/books?id=exQ4Zmtjc_sC&pg=PA59&dq=jediism&ei=Qk8uSfqQBIHaygTfsKW3BA#PPA53,M1.
- ^ "Jedi code and interpretation". TheJediismWay.org. http://www.thejediismway.org/index.php/topic,37.0.html.
- ^ Jedi churches at the Open Directory Project
- ^ About.com An article about Jediism from About.com
- ^ Jedi Temple Doctrine One version of the Doctrine of Jediism
- ^ Doctrine of the Oklahoma Temple Another version of Jediism Doctrine, based primarily on the philosophy and lessons found within the Force
- ^ "Britain's first Jedi police woman harnesses the Force to catch criminals". The Daily Mail (UK). 2009-04-23. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1172816/First-police-officer-admit-Jedi-follower-uses-mind-tricks-suspects-truth.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-24.
- ^ Temple of the Jedi Force Article linking pantheism to the force
- ^ The ForceTemple of the Jedi Force article explaining The Force
- ^ Ashla KnightsAshla Knights article on the Potentium, by "Kate Solusar"
- ^ Temple of the Jedi OrderA Topic discussing "Shadow Jedi"
- ^ "Shadow Jedi code". TheJediismWay.org. http://www.thejediismway.org/index.php/topic,33.msg90.html#msg90.
- ^ The Force is with them: Strathclyde Police has Jedi Knights on staff, The Times Online, April 17, 2009.
- ^ The bad publicity given by the BBCThe BBC article March 6, 2001 which started the "media incident".
- ^ House of commons -- Racial and religious hatred bill
- ^ Daily MailSky NewsThe Sun -- self-proclaimed Jedi Umada and Yunyun demand an "Interstellar Day of Tolerance" instead of the UN International Day of Tolerance
[edit] External links
- The Jediism Way - A Site with information about Jediism and a discussion forum.
- Unified Jedi - A well established Jedi Realism site that has been around for 5 years.
- Jedi Resource Center - A site with information and forums for Jedi and seekers.
- United Jedi - A site to unite the jedi realism orders online.
- Jedi Sanctuary - Information on Jediism and a Jedi forum with users internationally.
