Discuss.

LINK:  The Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters

QuoteFrom Christians to Taoists to those who identify their religion as "Jedi," fans of "Star Wars" have long seen elements of their faith reflected in the films.

With the release of the latest episode in the series, many are once again claiming–in books, church discussions and even in line to see "Episode III–Revenge of the Sith"–that the Skywalker stories offer a model for how to find strength in God or internal balance.

This is what my Indian* friends call a "kitchen-sink" religion, a cheap collection of ideals and behaviours without any real depth.

if you have a need to believe, investigate some serious belief systems that have stood the test of time, not some piece of rubbish based on feel-good cliches and vague sweeping generalisations.

personally, i am an atheist, but i have religious friends that i respect for having done the hard yards, and finding something that illuminates them from within, and these people are more than just tolerant, they are accepting, and ease other people's pain and suffering with their compassion.

which contrasts with the fundamentalists that specialise in cheap tag-lines making people feel special by rating other people lower on the food chain, easing their own pain by legitimising hatred against others.

"The Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters"? pfaugh! give me strength! if we can't do better than this, we deserve to, and no doubt will be, burnt at the stake.

(*Indian means from the sub-continent of India, not American Indian)

Quote from: kitten on June 04, 2005, 03:15:24 AM
This is what my Indian* friends call a "kitchen-sink" religion, a cheap collection of ideals and behaviours without any real depth.

I'm not entirely certain here whether you are referring to Jedi, Christians, or both.

Quoteif you have a need to believe, investigate some serious belief systems that have stood the test of time, not some piece of rubbish based on feel-good cliches and vague sweeping generalisations.

And who exactly is the person to decide which belief systems are "serious" or not?  You?

And why does a religion have to be old for it to be valid?  If that were the case, no religion would be valid, because nobody would have a use for it when it was created, and thus there would have been nobody to believe in it throughout the ages.  Your statement simultaneously defeats all religions ever created.  I'm sorry, but an argumentum ad antiquitatem is not very convincing, especially when it defeats itself.

Quotepersonally, i am an atheist, but i have religious friends that i respect for having done the hard yards, and finding something that illuminates them from within, and these people are more than just tolerant, they are accepting, and ease other people's pain and suffering with their compassion.

If only we all did this.

Quotewhich contrasts with the fundamentalists that specialise in cheap tag-lines making people feel special by rating other people lower on the food chain, easing their own pain by legitimising hatred against others.

I have no idea who you are referring to here.  Staub?

Quote"The Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters"? pfaugh! give me strength! if we can't do better than this, we deserve to, and no doubt will be, burnt at the stake.

Oh good, and for a second I thought you hadn't read the book, or even checked out the web site.  Care to give us a more detailed critique of Staub's work?

It isn't difficult to see Christian, Buddhist (Zen in particular), or Taoist elements in the Star Wars movies.  However, a person who doesn't see these movies for the simple purpose of enjoying them (for at least the first viewings, anyway), but instead looks upon them as some grim spiritual instruction tools, is cheating herself.  And anyone who must have some stamp of religious approval placed on the movies she watches is a needy prisoner.

When I go to see Revenge of the Sith, I'll go with the hope of enjoying a good movie (and I don't expect to be disappointed).  If I should happen to experience anything profoundly tranformative . . . that's just a four-leaf clover.

-Celia

I was rather surprised when a friend of mine started rattling off how Palpatine represents Satan, especially when Episode III clearly distorts the lines between right and wrong.

I'm not entirely certain how the Dark Side and the Good Side relates specifically to Pantheism, seeing as how the concepts relate much more closely to Satanism and Buddism, respectively.  Also, I have only known one Christian who was also a Pantheist.  Ever.
I applaud anyone who can look at a bigger picture of varied stimuli, and relate it to their own experience.

Just a sec. Isn't the 'force' in all things? If I remember my movie correctly Yoda explains that to a slightly dense young skywalker on dagobah. (in the second movie; empire strikes back)

If I remember correctly that strikes me as many religious thoughts, christian included. 'There is no where god is not' and other such quotes for instance.


From a practical point of view, I speculate that the originial developers of the forece idea (and all those nice catchy lines) drew their inspiration from existing religions. Generally speaking, picking and choosing is easier (and faster!) than being original. (it is also easier to be plausible)


In the end I think it leaves us with the profound realization that:
Four leaf clovers are special

QuoteIf I remember correctly that strikes me as many religious thoughts

Lucas specifically made the force vague.  He wanted to promote religion.  Just not any particular religion.

Now that we have all six films we can see how Lucas created a "Fall and Redemption" saga.  Episode III is the clasic "descent into Hell" story.  But then if you listened to Yoda you would know that "Once you take the path to the dark side, forever will it dominate your destiny."

Quote from: Lisbeth on July 22, 2005, 04:03:16 PM
Now that we have all six films we can see how Lucas created a "Fall and Redemption" saga.  Episode III is the clasic "descent into Hell" story.  But then if you listened to Yoda you would know that "Once you take the path to the dark side, forever will it dominate your destiny."

Makes the story more catchy that way...

You can find religious themes in every major popular movie.  Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, anything involving a "good vs bad" theme.  There will always be a mix of religions and ferver over what the creator meant by this or that, or what represents what.  Basically, all story telling is derived from the same principles.  Religion didn't even invent the good vs bad, it just made it easy to follow.

I don't follow any specific religion, because I see flaws and logical errors in all of them.  I live by a philosophy.  "If what you do does not hurt anyone, then it cannot be wrong."  It's simple and it works.

Well I would have to agree. People say the catchphrase that `Jesus is Love.'

Holy necromancers, Batman!!

My dog thinks he's a Wookie named Jesus God Damn it. I'm afraid to tell him other wise 

Quote from: VeryGnawty on June 04, 2005, 12:51:01 AM
Discuss.

LINK:  The Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters

I can see the realtionship between the Knights Templar and Samurai as being similiar to The Jedi.and the Sith.
Samurai steel was long sought after as the best metal in ancient times...
While the Knights Templar may have evolved from The knights of the round table..with King Artrhur. The Knights Templar protected area's that were related to religous reasons.

Pretty much, comparing Jesus with a fictional character played by Mark Hamill is the end of the whole Jesus deal ain't it?

God, Mother Nature, Jesus, Allah, Bhuda, Thor and the Virgin Mary (That's Me) were all at Denny's discussing various virtues. I interupted noticing that my Grand Slam breakfast had not been served. Everyone started talking how blessed I was to starve. Except Thor , who through a lightening bolt at the cook.  Breakfast is served

Getting breakfast at Denny's is far less that divine.  At least Mel's.  Really.

Quote from: tekla on February 26, 2009, 12:16:23 AM
Getting breakfast at Denny's is far less that divine.  At least Mel's.  Really.

You know how cheap they are 

Mel's is only a few bucks more, but much more worth it.

So, we're on for a date at Mel's? 

You'll have to pick me up. I'm only about 500 Mls away or so