• Philosophy and Spirituality
    Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Threads of Note Socialize
  • P&S Moderators: JackARoe | Cheshire_Kat

What do people who write in "Jedi" for their religion really believe?

MyDoorsAreOpen

MyDoorsAreOpen

Bluelight Crew
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Messages
8,549
I've never attended a Star Wars themed event, but I see this phenomenon a lot on the Internet, and increasingly in real life too. When I've heard somebody say it aloud, the polite thing to do has generally been to crack a chuckle, accept it, and move on to other topics; I've never been in a social situation where I've felt comfortable asking the person to elaborate on their choice of "Jedi".

So I feel this is as good a place as any. I'd like to invite any and all BLers who have ever self-identified as "Jedi" to come out of the woodwork and explain your choice. (C'mon, I know you're out there!) If someone close to you has ever done this and explained their reasoning to you, feel free to add as well.

Questions I have for self-dubbed Jedi knights:
** Do you have any serious spiritual belief, or is your appellation just a humorous, hip, and less pointed way to say "atheist" or "no religion"?
** If yes, then do you base your spiritual tenets purely on the text of the original Star Wars canon, or have you expanded outward from there, including others' commentary on Star Wars and non-canon works in the Star Wars universe?
** What nonfiction writers, in your opinion, have made profound points using the themes of Jedi knighthood and The Force?
** Does "Jedi", or anything based on it, have any future as an organized religion beyond the ranks of hardcore Star Wars geeks?
** Why does the mythology of Star Wars speak to you more than other modern myths, or ancient or traditional myths, for that matter?

The Star Wars movies entertained me. But the series never entranced me enough to become a serious fan. I could just never get over George Lucas' forced dialogue, cardboard character development, and drawn-out (and not always well-choreographed) battle scenes. To me, it's a series of sci-fi action movies by a guy with a stunning visual imagination. But the stories themselves are nothing new or profound. I feel like the Fast and the Furious movies did all the same things -- thin, masculine plots with lots of action and visuals -- without any pretense of being more than triumph-of-the-little-guy action and adventure flicks.

If you read the last paragraph muttering "blasphemy!" through gritted teeth, please regale me with the depth you see in Star Wars that's clearly lost on a simple man as myself.
 
they believe they are being funny


coming from a guy who has attended star wars events (a long, long time ago...)
 
It was just a kids movie, not even a very good one, I remember being at school in England when it came out and we had these kids going around saying "I've seen it 5 times" and shit like that, well I never went to the movies and saw it back then and I actually don't think I have ever sat through any of the star wars films, I've seen snippets here and there over the years and I never saw the attraction.

Thinking back I seem to remember most of the kids that were into it back then were the biggest nerds and wankers around.
 
I had mine as the flying spaghetti monster for a while because I wasn't sure what I was. Sure there's plenty of other people out there doing it for the same reason or because they're afraid to let people know what they are. And I don't mean that in a bad way, maybe they're just not ready for everyone to know yet.
 
I have proclaimed to be a Jedi on various forms and to schools even. For different reasons.

For the most part, i hate religion. I think people who follow religion are fucking idiots. However, people who say they are with X religion get away with stuff. For example i went to a course and part of its contract that i signed said 'no hooded clothes' but in a side note it said that in religious ways, you can wear appropriate atire. So, after being told to take my hoody off one day, i said 'well, im a Jedi, and if your going to discriminate against me for my religious choice, then you can tell *insert muslim name that i cant remember right now* to take her head gear off.

I actually had to end up going to the course director and he gave up and said OK and i from that day made a point to wear the biggest most gangsta fucking hoody every day to course.

Ya see, atheists dont have a book that has rules in it that let you get away with some rules that modern society has(ie the hoody situation). Living in a very PC country, if you say you are a Jedi, you instantly have the leverage of the other religious nuts, but without actually being religious. I have never been a 'Jedi' nor have i gone to any star wars meetings or whatever. Now because 'Jedism' is open to interpretation and there is no bible as such, you can pretty much claim anything you do or are doing is 'part of my religion'. I believe you should be able to wear a hoody anywhere just like muslims can wear their head gear anywhere. Why should i be discriminated against just because i dont believe in Allah?


As for the movies....

The fact you think they are shit.. basically is what you are saying, is well... i just dont think you get the deeper meaning. The whole star wars series can be totally related to modern society today. The 'light side' is basically the western world, keeping everyone outside of it oppressed so they can continue to live their lavish lifestyles. Notice how the 'poor' countries are not part of the empire? They are used for resources and everyone there are slaves and poor - just like the eastern world - to the west, or should i say 'light side'.

Jedis are no more better than siths. They are ying and yang. They are the police of each state/country/society. They are basically their to protect and further each colony. It is not that 'siths' are evil, it is that they believe in something else/a different way of life than jedis therefore they are evil - just like christians vs muslims. Both are basically the same thing, just different name - yet they are enemies(in a way). Just like how in a christian society muslims may be portrayed as terrorists, in a islamic society, christians may be portrayed as rapist butcher fucked up cunts who come steal your oil.

The star wars series shows you the Jedi side of things, because they are the winners. Just like in history, the winners get to write it... i dont know if george did this diliberatly/in relation to that though. It would be interesting because if the star wars series had been released differently, on the jedi side of things, we would probably(the average star wars viwer) think jedis are evil.



I dunno, its hard to explain, ive forgotten alot as i havnt seen the movies in years and i was more into the whole jedi thing back when i would watch a star wars movie every couple weeks or month etc.
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
for some mystics and schizophrenics, jedi applies just as well as every other "religion"... ;)
 
xkassandrax said:
I had mine as the flying spaghetti monster for a while because I wasn't sure what I was. Sure there's plenty of other people out there doing it for the same reason or because they're afraid to let people know what they are. And I don't mean that in a bad way, maybe they're just not ready for everyone to know yet.
Click to expand...

So in other words, people use it as a polite way to say "I choose not to answer this question"? That makes sense, thinking back on a few times I've heard this used. Religious beliefs and affiliations are something very personal, and definitely not something everyone wants to air. It's funny how I would have thought an answer like "Jedi" would raise more eyebrows, and questions (both genuinely curious and mocking) than a more traditional answer to the question of religion. Certainly decades ago that would've been the case. Who'd have thunk that we live in such a politically correct and ideologically tense time that a fictitious joke answer to the question of religion causes fewer problems than a sincere answer!
 
In the UK, there was a fringe movement prior to both the 2001 and 2011 National Census that encouraged people to declare themselves as Jedis. I believe part of this movement is inspired by the belief that if a critical number of people identify themselves as being part of a religious denomination, then it has to be officially recognised by the Government.

I think the latter part is probably optimistic bullshit, but I suspect that it's really motivated by a desire to thumb society's collective nose towards organised religion.
 
@NKB, re:
(i.e. you are the people you speak out against).
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate on that? Or is this just the old 'atheism is a religion too' schtick? Sure, the tone of his rhetoric may not be as comely as you'd prefer, but wherein lies the hypocrisy? He thinks religious 'nuts' are all the more foolish for their being religious, and so defers to sarcasm when questioned about his religious beliefs. He offers his opinion regarding what he sees as the undue weight given to religious ideology when it comes to matters both great and trifling in public discourse, etc. In what way does he court the charges he brought to bear?

And for the record, I find the 'Jedi reply' to be pretty funny despite having never used it myself. In answer to the OP, I seriously doubt that those who take themselves seriously as Jedi masters (or apprentices) belong to anything more sizable than an amusing fringe. If indeed you are as genuinely curious as you claim to be, this little treasure could be of considerable interest.
 
Last edited:
P A said:
@NKB, re:

Could you elaborate on that? Or is this just the old 'atheism is a religion too' schtick? Sure, the tone of his rhetoric may not be as comely as you'd prefer, but wherein lies the hypocrisy? He thinks religious 'nuts' are all the more foolish for their being religious, and so defers to sarcasm when questioned about his religious beliefs. He offers his opinion regarding what he sees as the undue weight given to religious ideology when it comes to matters both great and trifling in public discourse, etc. In what way does he court the charges he brought to bear?

And for the record, I find the 'Jedi reply' to be pretty funny despite having never used it myself. In answer to the OP, I seriously doubt that those who take themselves seriously as Jedi masters (or apprentices) belong to anything more sizable than an amusing fringe. If indeed you are as genuinely curious as you claim to be, this little treasure could be of considerable interest.
Click to expand...

QFT.

Its not so much i have a problem with people practicing religion.. yes i hate religion and i think people are fucking idiots if they follow it - however, they have the right to be a fucking idiot! I have to accept that at the end of the day i live in a country with lots of religious folk.. however, if they can get away with shit, so should I! Just because i dont go to church doesnt mean i shouldnt be entitled to freedom of expression in my dress attire, does it? Or in any other instance where religion might allow you more leeway.

To me its fucking messed up that because i do not go to church, i have less leverage, i have less rights, i have less everything basically. I dont think you should have to follow a religion to wear a hoody. I dont think you should have to acknowledge and follow a religious belief to get married, either. At the end of the day i want equality, i want the right to be a fucking idiot if everyone else gets it!


Its funny because alot of people have NO IDEA how much harder it can be to be an atheist. Because, unlike religious nuts, we do not have a 'brotherhood'. When i meet another atheist, which is common as i live in the highest(one of?) ratio of atheist/agnostic countries in the world, i do not think 'ahh, brother, welcome - you are on my side ;)'. I think ' ah, ok, well that makes NO difference to me, i will judge you based off your actions not your religious decisions'. Same goes for someone who is christian, too.

But.. when christians meet christians, or muslims meet muslims.. its like this.. wierd 'we are already friends haha' kinda thing. If a cop is christian and he sees an 'A-rab' driving with his cresent on the back windscreen, and a christian redneck with cross' all of his truck... you really think hes gonna stop the christian? haha. Dreaming you are. This is just an analogy but you get the point - no one is on the atheists side because we are not a 'side'. We are a 'lack of choosing a side'. So hence, i am a 'jedi' to reap the advantages and benefits religious folk get because if i dont, im treated unfairly!
 
Last edited:
Moonyham, I'll ask you not to turn my thread into a discussion of the merits of atheism.

I've taken a look at all the links you guys have posted. I dunno, it definitely looks like this whole Jedi thing isn't anything close to a united front. Seems like almost everyone has a different reason for doing it. P A, I'm not so sure about how fringe it is. On the contrary, among certain circles I happen to have run in, it seems almost cliche.
 
MyDoorsAreOpen said:
Moonyham, I'll ask you not to turn my thread into a discussion of the merits of atheism.

I've taken a look at all the links you guys have posted. I dunno, it definitely looks like this whole Jedi thing isn't anything close to a united front. Seems like almost everyone has a different reason for doing it. P A, I'm not so sure about how fringe it is. On the contrary, among certain circles I happen to have run in, it seems almost cliche.
Click to expand...

Thats not my intention, im simply stating my particular reason. I have actually met people who think they are a Jedi, but they are rogues and do not go to any sort of 'Jedi church' or whatever. Alot of people take it quite literally and believe there are siths and ive even met people who think they are sith's too haha. I think for the most part its a pisstake on religion though, as the jedi's ive met were either atheists or at best agnostic.
 
P A, I'm not so sure about how fringe it is. On the contrary, among certain circles I happen to have run in, it seems almost cliche.
Click to expand...

I sincerely wish that my circles were as witty (or, if your friends are actually sincere, shall I say as 'eclectic') as yours. Most people I know, with precious few exceptions, tend to be either of the mild, apologetic 'well, it would displease my family if stopped being a [insert Jew, Christian, etc.]' persuasion or the flippantly militant, 'religion is stupid bro' crowd. And for the record, by 'fringe,' I was referring to those who answered 'Jedi' with heartfelt sincerity rather than with mocking evasiveness.

And really, if you you're not particularly fond of Moony's crypto-proselytizing, I wouldn't recommend starting a thread about the putative sincerity of those who profess religious beliefs grounded in an overrated science fiction/fantasy film series that prominently features a humanoid extra-terrestrial bigfoot-thing nicknamed 'Chewie' that can expertly pilot a spacecraft at faster-than-light velocities. I mean, come on man...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top