As both a Pagan and a bit of a Star Wars geek, this struck me as noteworthy. Recently, the Strathclyde Police Department in Scotland revealed that eight of their officers claim "Jedi" as their spiritual path. While this is probably a bit snicker-worthy for the mainstream media, it's interesting because in a census survey a few years ago, nearly 400,000 people in England and Scotland proclaimed their religion to be, in fact, Jedi. Now, originally, this started as a joke, because a grassroots movement sprang up encouraging people to put Jedi on their census forms. The theory was that if enough people wrote it in, then the English government would have to recognize it as an Actual Religion. This is in fact false, but it's what got spread around.
Like many jokes, however, it soon took on a life of its own. The Jedi Census Movement became something more, and since 2001, a number of Jedi churches have sprouted up in both the United Kingdom and the US. Instead of just writing it in a box on a form, there are a number of people who appear to follow some form of the Jedi code. We talked about new godforms developing as society moves forward; so what about new religions? After all, Wicca has only been around, in its present form, since the 1950s or so when Gerald Gardner came along. Scientology -- desite its detractors claiming it's not a religion -- is fairly new. Even Discordianism (another example of a joke taking on a life of its own) just sprang up in the 1960s or so.
Our Guide to Alternative Religions, Catherine Beyer, has some great information about the Jedi Code and belief system.
So who's to say the Jedi path isn't as valid as all these others new religious journeys? And what makes something valid, as opposed to just silly? What do you think? A real religion, or just a bunch of geeks in costumes trying to be cool?
Like many jokes, however, it soon took on a life of its own. The Jedi Census Movement became something more, and since 2001, a number of Jedi churches have sprouted up in both the United Kingdom and the US. Instead of just writing it in a box on a form, there are a number of people who appear to follow some form of the Jedi code. We talked about new godforms developing as society moves forward; so what about new religions? After all, Wicca has only been around, in its present form, since the 1950s or so when Gerald Gardner came along. Scientology -- desite its detractors claiming it's not a religion -- is fairly new. Even Discordianism (another example of a joke taking on a life of its own) just sprang up in the 1960s or so.
Our Guide to Alternative Religions, Catherine Beyer, has some great information about the Jedi Code and belief system.
So who's to say the Jedi path isn't as valid as all these others new religious journeys? And what makes something valid, as opposed to just silly? What do you think? A real religion, or just a bunch of geeks in costumes trying to be cool?
If the way a person feels connected with deity is through a religion called “Jedi” who are we to say otherwise? Personally, I think worshiping a guy who was hung on a cross and allegedly resurrected is a bit on the crazy side, but I don’t deny that a person can connect with deity in some way through that religion. Same same with Jedi.
I just hope they’ll let me have a light saber when they’ve developed the technology.
While I’ve never considered Jedi to be an actual religion, I am all for it becoming one.
I have often used the ‘Light-Side’ & ‘Dark-Side’ idea to describe people’s actions. It’s a grander version of good and evil that is much more complex, not just black and white. So maybe there are a lot of Pagans out there who already use the Jedi principles to shape their own religious beliefs.
Then there is ‘The Force’ – the belief that all life is bound together at a molecular level, and that the smallest choices can cause a ripple-effect on the whole world. I sometimes find that using this comparison with non-Pagans helps them understand the basics of Magick.
Besides, I kind of like, ‘May the Force be with you’ over ‘Blessed Be’. :p
I agree with Mia. Also from what I understand of Jedi, it is a combination of many established religions, including Taoism, Christianity and nature based religions. Whats wrong with being one with yourself and with your surroundings? Actually it sounds pretty good to me…
After reading the code/creed and the 16 “belief” points, I wonder if changing the word “Jedi” to “one” ( as in one self) would not only cover the Jedi religion but also many of the pagan/wiccan/druid/witch religions. Really isn’t that what we do whether at ritual or daily devotionals? Is not our Lord and Lady the Force? Definitely something to think about….
If someone feels strongly enough about being a Jedi that they follow the Jedi code then I suppose that is a way of life for them, but knowing a few people who actually did enter Jedi on their census records, it was a big joke to them and certainly not a religion. And since George Lucas invented the Jedi by copying and pasting bits of eastern lore together, surely someone truly looking for a ‘real world Jedi’ path would seek out these real world religions?
I’m very fond of Star Trek, but I’m not under any illusions that any of it is actually real. There are many real world religions that share elements with the Jedi because they inspired George Lucas to create it. Gerald Gardner became the father of Wicca, but its roots are in the 16th and 17th century British traditions of the local wise woman and cunning man who could be doctor, vet, oracle, farmer and judge all in one. Although Wicca is a young religion, many of the things that went into its creation were not new…I have a hard time feeling the same about Jedi. I’d have to meet someone who seriously believed they were a Jedi first before I made up my mind.
. . ‘tarded, if you want the “force” just be a Buddist. . . a light saber would be cool though.
K, I’ll admit it, I’m a total Star Wars geek. However, in order to understand the basics behind “Jedi”, one has to realize George Lucas’s own beliefs (Buddahist) as well as the book that inspired him, Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero of a 1000 Faces”. Lucas wanted to create an epic space opera. His first few drafts didn’t work, then he just started to write a screenplay. Star Wars was the end result, and it turned out to be the story that he wanted. If you take a look at the Jedi story, you see good overcoming evil, and redemption from evil once you turn to it. In the “Jedi Religion” (I personally think it’s more of a philosphy), there is clear cut guidelines of what is evil (the dark side, which is anger, fear, etc) and what is good (the light side).
Given the fact that it is inspired from many different faiths and religions, of course “Jedi” is a religion, but at the same time, it’s basically all religions as well. Of course, Lucas was once asked if he thought the force was “god” and his response was “it’s just a movie” (or something to that affect).
If being a Jedi makes a person change from doing ‘bad’ things to doing ‘good’ things, who are we to argue? If that is what it takes to turn someone around, how can it be seen as negative?
Oh, and count me in on getting a light saber when they figure them out!!
While I agree that many spiritual paths that the mainstream considers weird are perfectly valid, I am incredibly skeptical about all of this. I do not think that religions should be pulled out of movies or books that are works of fiction and made to be “real.” I know I will probably be hailed as incredibly closed-minded, but I’ve heard of this before, and had a hard time believing it.
I am of the camp that Pagans/wiccans/etc should not rock the boat too much. By the time people find out what my religion is, they know me, so they usually aren’t ruffled. Calling yourself a Jedi, to me, is rocking the boat and stripping credibility from the whole movement. Calling oneself a “Jedi” has different connotations than someone else might think. I think this is an accident waiting to happen. What if this becomes a light side/dark side thing, and someone gets killed? What if a person with schizophrenia, who already thinks that they’re a Jedi, joins up and kills someone? The Jedi code also fosters an unhealthy detachment from one’s emotions, and sometimes the world itself.
I am a huge geek, and if this actually existed, I would really be all for it. But it doesn’t, and I think this fad will hurt paganism in the long run. I won’t bother them if they don’t bother me, but this is my opinion about it.
I agree with Ara, religions really shouldn’t be pulled from works of fiction.
Yes it may have been based off real-world religions, but few people may actually take the religion seriously. I know I didn’t when I heard about this. I know that makes me sound mean but, I have a hard time taking religion from fiction books seriously.
The Iliad, the Bible, the Tao Te Ching, the Koran, the Poetic Eddas, the Upanishads, Dianetics, The Book of Mormon, and yes, Witchcraft Today are all works of fiction IMHO. How are they any different from Lucas’ screenplay?
“religions shouldn’t be pulled from works of fiction???”
er…anybody ever heard of the Bible..the Koran..the Bhagavad Gita, or the book of shadows? Somebody wrote all of these.
Aren’t all religious books works of fiction that portray certain ideals in a metaphorical way?
May the Force be with you
As a Jedi of the Jedi Sanctuary org, I know that there are already several different branches of jediism, or jedi, already in existance around the world, with members from across the globe.
May the Force be with You
Jedi Richard Strange
Jediism is just as valid as any other religion. And after having read the code/creed and 16 belief points, I think it’s better than a lot of religions. I was like anyone else, at first I thought “Jediism?? pffftt. sure. whatever”. Then I read about it. I’m an atheist/agnostic who realizes that ALL religions are made up by people. If you think of it in terms of how long humans have been on this Earth, Christianity hasn’t been around very long either.
Christians were once thought a lunatic
outfringe of society. Look at where they
are today.
Blessed be ,Godspeed,may the Force be
with you,all meant in a possitive light.
Let’s be tollerant and allow good thoughts
to develop!
BB
If Scientologists can create a religion based on a science fiction book, then why can’t the Jedi create a religion based on a science fiction movie? There is no difference.
Are you people mental? Jedis are fictional film characters for Christ’s sake!
Oh, Matt, you’re right. It makes a lot more sense to honor a deity who walks on water, turns water into wine, dies, and then is resurrected. Because there’s nothing that sounds remotely fictional in that.
“For Christ’s sake” indeed.
patti
At least the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster started with a better joke.
And yes, I’ve been touched by His noodly appendage.
I do have to say it sounds more like a philosophy than a true religion to me. However, the edges between the two can certainly become cloudy. And how one defines a religion, as opposed to an individual’s belief system, also enters into the mix.
Food for thought, for which I thank you, Patti!