Jediism
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The examples and perspective in this article may not include all significant viewpoints. Please improve the article or discuss the issue. (February 2011) |
Jediism is a religious movement based on the philosophical and spiritual ideas of the Jedi as depicted in Star Wars media.[1]
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[edit] Belief
Practitioners identify themselves with the Jedi Knights in Star Wars, believe in the existence of the Force and that interaction with the Force is possible.[2] Believers align themselves with the moral code demonstrated by the fictional Jedi.[3] One Jedi church described the religion as syncretistic, incorporating beliefs from various religions including Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Shintoism.[4]
A common belief among Jedi is the Jedi Code, sometimes referred to as the Orthodox Jedi Code. This is used as a guiding principle.[5]
The code reads
- There is no emotion, there is peace.
- There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
- There is no passion, there is serenity.
- There is no death, there is the Force.[6]
Sometimes a fourth line is added, making the code read
- There is no emotion, there is peace.
- There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
- There is no passion, there is serenity.
- There is no chaos, there is harmony.
- There is no death, there is the Force.[7]
[edit] Origin of Beliefs
George Lucas has cited history as his inspiration for creating the Force, saying in a Wired interview:
"Similar phrases have been used extensively by many different people for the last 13,000 years to describe the 'life force'."[8]—George Lucas, Wired Magazine, May 2005
He also stated during a 1999 interview with journalist Bill Moyers that while he hesitated to call the Force "God," that his aim was in fact to evoke a spiritual awakening in young people.[9]
[edit] Reaction
During the drafting of the UK Racial and Religious Hatred Act, as a tool for debate, an amendment was proposed that excluded Jedi Knights from any protection. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn, the proposer having made his point that defining religious belief in legislation is difficult[10].
In 2009, a Jedi was removed from a Tesco Supermarket in Bangor, North Wales, for refusing to remove his hood on a religious basis; the owner justified the boot by saying, "He hasn't been banned. Jedis are very welcome to shop in our stores although we would ask them to remove their hoods. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker all appeared hoodless without ever going over to the Dark Side and we are only aware of the Emperor as one who never removed his hood."[11] The following year, a Jedi was thrown out of a Jobcentre in Southend, Essex, for refusing to remove his hood; he later received an apology.[12]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Hume, Lynne; Kathleen McPhillips (2006). Popular spiritualities: the politics of contemporary enchantment. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. pp. 59. ISBN 9780754639992. http://books.google.com/books?id=exQ4Zmtjc_sC&pg=PA59.
- ^ Davidsen, Markus (2011). "Jediism: a convergence of Star Wars fan culture and salad bar spirituality". De Filosoof; Departementsblad Wijsbegeerte Universiteit Utrecht. http://forskningsbasen.deff.dk/View.external?recordId=auau:22491662.
- ^ Deacy, Christopher; Elisabeth Arweck (2009). Exploring religion and the sacred in a media age. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. pp. 15. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=HRmYapWETqcC&oi=fnd&pg=PA141&dq=jediism&ots=Q7g6wSokNY&sig=NFHEv8faPg4Wr9cXNVxkhcWbCfE#v=onepage&q=jediism&f=false.
- ^ "Jedi Available for Gay Weddings". 2009-03-15. http://qsaltlake.com/2009/03/15/jedi-available-for-gay-weddings/. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "The Jedi Code A Code of Belief for Jedi". http://altreligion.about.com/od/jedireligion/a/jedi_code.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "The Jedi Code A Code of Belief for Jedi". http://altreligion.about.com/od/jedireligion/a/jedi_code.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "The Jedi Code A Code of Belief for Jedi". http://altreligion.about.com/od/jedireligion/a/jedi_code.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Silberman, Steve (May 2005). "Life After Darth". Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.05/lucas.html. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ Moyers, Bill. "The Mythology of Star Wars with George Lucas and Bill Moyers". Films Media Group. http://ffh.films.com/id/11017/The_Mythology_of_Star_Wars_with_George_Lucas_and_Bill_Moyers.htm. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Racial and Religious Hatred Bill". 2005-06-29. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmstand/e/st050629/pm/50629s01.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ Carter, Helen. "Jedi religion founder accuses Tesco of discrimination over rules on hoods". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/18/jedi-religion-tesco-hood-jones. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Levy, Andrew (2010-03-17). "Political correctness strikes back: Jedi believer wins apology after being kicked out of Jobcentre for wearing a hood". The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1258365/Jedi-believer-wins-apology-Jobcentre-kicked-wearing-hood.html. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
