Jediism - The Jedi Religion

I just thought I would bring back to Light the existance of Jediism. Apologies in advance if this annoys some of you, but I just felt the need to bump the subject up on the forum .

Yes, Jediism is an authentic religious belief. Yes, we believe in the Force. No, we're not a bunch of geeks running around with plastic lightsabers. For anyone curious, I'm merely a Jedi Apprentice. As stated on the Main Page:

Jediism is not the same as that which is portrayed within the Star Wars Saga by George Lucas and Lucasfilm LTD. George Lucas' Jedi� are fictional characters that exist within a literary and cinematic universe. The Jedi� discussed within this website refer to factual people within this world that live or lived their lives according to Jediism, of which we recognize and work together as a community to both cultivate and celebrate. Jedi� Apprentices, Knights, Commanders, Scholars, Masters, Scribes and High Councilors embrace Jediism as a real living, breathing religion, and sincerely strive to seek out and emulate real life examples of Jediism in the long rich history of mankind. Jediism bases less of its focus on myth and fiction, and more upon those real life examples of Jediism.

The history of the path of Jediism traverses thought which is well over 5,000 years old. It shares many themes embraced in Hinduism, Confucionism, Buddhism, Gnosticism, Stoicism, Catholicism, Taoism, Shinto, Modern Mysticism, the Way of the Shaolin Monks, the Knight's Code of Chivalry and the Samurai Warriors. We recognize that many times the answers to mankind's problems comes from within the purified hearts of genuine seekers of truth. Theology, philosophy and religious doctrine can facilitate this process, but we believe that it would be a futile exercise for any belief system to claim to hold all the answers to all the serious questions posed to seekers of truth in the 21st century. Jediism may help facilitate this process, yet we also acknowledge that it is up to the true believer who applies the universal truths inherent within Jediism to find the answers they seek.

We live by a Code of 21 Maxims, many of which coming from the Knights Code of Chivalry. Our main goals are service to others and the seeking of enlightenment, as stated in the Mission Statement.

I suggest reading through the site, if not out of interest in joining, then out of curiosity. If there are any questions, feel free to ask me here - but please, no bashing. I'll do my best to answer any questions you have, but remember that I am still just an Apprentice, so my answers may be limited.

May the Light of the Force protect and guide you all.

-- Jediism Apprentice Daye
-- Oklahoma Chapter Representative

Just a note: Much of the text used here is Copyright � Jediism.

In the Canadian Census last year I believe approximately 5% stated Jediism as their religion. Can't remember the exact %

Yep - Jediism is an "official" religion in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, I believe. Though I may have been misinformed. I'll have to look again.

No offense, but I'd ratehr be a fictional Jedi. Mind tricks and stuff.

Actually, mind tricks are not so far-fetched, though it does take quite a bit of practice to perfect them - and no, they're not the same as in the movies; and no, I can't do them yet.

You said that the code of 21 maxims largely come from the Knights Code of Chivarly, but didn't that come to exist during the medeval period? If so, why or how does a 5000 year old religion adopt something so relatively new? Do you think it is possible that the Knights adopted the maxims from Jediism?

That site you have linked has such tiny font size that I can barely read it

Jediism does seem fascinating I must say....

Jediism itself isn't 5,000 years old - rather, many of the beliefs and principles Jediism was founded on, (Buddhism, Shinto, Taoism...that entire list). Jediism is only as old as Star Wars; however, the principles and many beliefs are up to 5,000. Our particular belief system emulates many of the older ones closely. Have I explained it thoroughly enough?

assigning maxims, dogmas, rituals, rules, etc. to a religion, it all goes downhill from there...

My personal philosophy (I don't call it a religion per se), is very similar to "Jedi" ideals...but I've always believed that by including that which formulates a "religion", you start to exclude.... Exclusion leads to hate, hate leads to suffering...all of these are of the dark side.... Think about it....

Jediism looks pretty cool, too bad you don't have lightsaber fights thou
Its a cool religion by the sounds of it, I heard they didn't want it to be a "offical" religion in the UK, is it true?? do jedi's have a temple?

We all wanted Jediism to be an "official" religion in the various countries we can be found in (which - last time I checked - were more than 80, respectively).

We don't have a physical temple, with tainted glass and meditation chambers and such. A temple in the minds of the High Council, and most of us, is no more than a church - a place to gather. Therefore, our Internet forums are our temple for now. However, there are plans by many other Jedi groups to build a temple - the problem is, everyone wants it in their back yard, so it's obviously quite a ways away.

As for lightsaber fights...lol... while we don't train with lightsabers - we are encouraged, and most of us do, train in martial arts, including swordfighting. I myself study Shaolin Kung Fu, Ninjutsu, and Kendo.

you start to exclude.... Exclusion leads to hate, hate leads to suffering...all of these are of the dark side....

I don't see whom or what we are excluding, really. If no "guidelines" are laid down (which the Maxims essentially are - it's up to each individual to assign its meaning to their lives.) We have courses on the Maxims in the private Training Center forum for just this reason.

Jediism sounds so cool. After a few things about it, its very interesting religion

ok two things right off the top of my head.

one. i find it hard to take this seriously when you have a jedi holding a lightsaber in his hand and two the font on that sight is beyond tiny.

they need to fix that ASAP. i cant read anything.


it does seem interesting and i want to learn more about it but i cant with that tiny font!

That light saber thing would make the religion even cooler, but swords would make do for the time being

Fear leads to the Darkside. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering

After reading that, all i could think of was yoda

I really wanna meet a Jedi Master now, that would be sooo cool. How many members are apart of Jediism??

Prank - Just because Jediism isn't related to Star Wars (except for the name "Jedi" and "Force"), does that mean I'm not allowed to be a SW fan? Also, the font is fine for most of us - maybe you need to change the settings of your web browser Or Copy-Paste it into Word or Notepad.

Infinite - Currently we have 1,000 or so members signed up in Jediism; however, many of those are ones who signed up just so they could say they're a Jedi, and not take it seriously. I believe the total number of active and dedicated Jedi is about 400, but I'd have to check that; and to do so, the forum has to be working (it's currently down with some problem). There are also a few members who are away on business or personal reasons, but are still as dedicated as the rest of us. 400 or so is the number that I'd say until I'm completely sure.

Jediism needs to be promoted abit more i think. Jediism sound like Buddishm to me. Anyways, Jediism is a cool religion

A couple Questions for you

As I am curious about the Jediism religion, this is not intended to 'bash' you if it comes across that way.

a) Why does George Lucas use the Force in his movies and why do you have it in your religion? Did one take the 'Force' idea from the other?

b) Hm...When did Jediism start...because it seems that some of the ideas are taken from Star Wars? Or am I not getting this?

Awaiting your answers

-WD

Yeah - that's one thing I'm doing here. I also get into MSN's religious chats and promote it like I do. It is very similar to Buddhism. In my opinion, it most closely relates to Buddhism, Taoism, and Bushido.

WD - The "Force" is based quite closely on the Tao (Taoism) and is, essentialy, "God" - for every meaning the word has. George Lucas based his Jedi on the Samurai, Taoists and Buddhist monks, and added aspects of various other religious beliefs in. Essentially, that's what we do: we take the teachings of the world's major religions, philosophies, and meditative paths (as well as the lessons mentioned in the Star Wars films) and expand on them. So yes, many of the ideas are based on Star Wars - however, we don't revolve solely around them. In fact, most things we research and learn ARE in fact related to comparative religions and their teachings more than Star Wars. Jediists, in my opinion, are just a form of "less restrictive monks"; the name Jedi is just a name people can recognize, and I'm proud to call myself such. I don't know precisely when Jediism started, however. That's a question I can't answer yet. My apologies.

[Edited on 13-8-2003 by LOBO]

No problem. Thanks for answering so soon

I do agree with teachings that your religion is professing. I think it is a good religion and not just some bull like Raelism - sorry if we have any followers of that 'religion' in the forum. Meditation is something I try to do as often as possible, and it is very helpful through a stressful day.

-WD

WD...

So, are there any more questions?

[Edited on 13-8-2003 by LOBO]