The Gospel According To Lucas [Archive]

Rath/Brendan

05-24-2002, 11:14 AM

Here It Is:

CREED
1) What do you believe and teach about the nature of God?
Followers of "the Force" are Pantheists. We believe in the Force, an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, It penetrates us, and It binds the galaxy together. There are two sides to the Force. Knowledge, Peace, and Serenity compromise the Light Side, while Anger, Fear, and Aggression make up the Dark Side. Both sides are part of the natural order of life and death.
We are taught that in ancient times, Jedi could manipulate The Force in three abilities: Controlling your own body to perform stunning acrobatic feats and even controlling your metabolism so that poisons do not affect you and you can hibernate for years if need be, sensing the Force’s will and the presence of the Force, and Altering the world, in such ways as moving things with the Force, or changing the perceptions of others. Over the millennia, two of these talents have been lost, and Jedi now can only Sense the will of The Force, without being able to Control It or Alter the physical world with It any more. Perhaps someday, these talents will be given again to the world.

2) What do you believe and teach is the Chief Authority in your religious group?
The Force is, of course, the highest authority to the Jedi, but not all can hear Its call, so an inspired democratic assembly of believers, the Jedi Counsel, carries out the will of the Force in the galaxy. The Council acts politically and spiritually to further the will of the Force, and thus the well being of the galaxy. These are Jedi who are extremely in tune with the Force, and feel the call to further the cause of good on the Council. In all cases, the Jedi Council acts by the Jedi Code: “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.” - Journal of the Whills 10:1
Unfortunately, the Jedi are no longer as wide spread as we are taught they once were. There is no longer a single Council ruling over all the Jedi of the galaxy, but rather, small local circles of believers who aspire to the goals of the Jedi of old.
There is also a holy text of sorts, known as the Journal of the Whills. This is a document known to us only in the fragments and peaces that have survived the millennia, but it tells of the history of the Jedi in a time when they were common throughout the galaxy, and feats of power with the Force almost beyond our imagination now were commonplace. The Journal also tells us of the prophecy of the Son of the Suns, a powerful Jedi who will bring balance to the Force, and many hope will restore the gifts of Control and Alter to the Jedi.

3) Do you teach and believe in Inspiration?
The will of the Force is what directs our actions. When you learn to quiet your mind, you can hear the will of the Force, and be able to do Its bidding. Though the Force speaks to all of us, but only a few are attuned enough to Its call to join the ranks of the Jedi. Those attuned enough to The Force feel the call to serve the galaxy as Jedi, and listen to the speaking of The Force to dictate their actions.

4) Do you believe and teach that there is such a thing as Divine Revelation?
Except for the few powerful enough in the Force to hear Its will directly, the Force speaks to us vicariously. Proverbs – such as: “Do – or do not. There is no try,” have been passed down orally from master to apprentice training in the Jedi arts as points of meditation and contemplation for further understanding. These proverbs have formed the central core of the Jedi faith over the ages.
There is also the Journal of the Whills, a sacred text containing an incomplete history of the Jedi, and fragments of prophecy. The central prophecy in the Journal is as follows: “And in time of great despair there shall come a saviour and he shall be known as The Son of the Sun” -Journal of The Whills 3:12

5) Do you believe and teach that men and women are by nature “Good” or “Evil”?
The Force has both good and evil aspects existing together. A person must focus his or her efforts to following the righteous path of the Light Side, and avoid the temptation of the quick and easy power of the Dark Side. Those who follow the paths of the Dark Side are known as the Sith, foul corruptions of the Jedi code who lie in wait until they can strike to cause havoc and chaos. Jedi strive to seek out and destroy the Sith, but the Dark Side is elusive, and the Sith persevere. Once a person begins down the path of the Dark Side, it will forever control his or her destiny, though true repentance can always save a person. A person who attempts to be faithful without doing good work is not only deceiving him or herself, but is also doing the work of the Dark Side by failing to combat it actively.

6) Do you believe and teach in Immortality?
There is a strong belief in the immortality in the following of the Force. Even the most powerful Jedi masters cannot cheat death forever, but those extremely strong in The Force have been known to live as long as 900 years. When we die, we do not cease to exist, but rather we become one with the Force. Many believe that Jedi are more powerful when united with The Force than they were in life, and welcome death and its unification with the Force. In times of greatest need, Jedi who were very powerful in life can manifest themselves as ghost-like aberrations to speak with and give council to the living world.
If a person follows the paths of the Dark Side in life, he or she will be unified with the Dark Side of the Force in death. While unification with the Light Side is an eternity of knowledge and contemplation, it is widely believed that unification with the Dark Side means an eternity of pain and suffering as the negative energies of the Dark Side ravage your mind and soul.
The Jedi do not believe in resurrection of the body. Indeed, when a very powerful Jedi who accepts her own death passes away, the body disappears as even it is fully unified with the Force.

CULT
1) Do you believe and teach the importance of private prayer?
Though most people never directly hear the call of the Force, quiet meditation and guided contemplation can enrich the life of any person, and bring him or her closer to the Force.

2) Do you teach and practice any of the following forms of prayer?
-Adoration (praise), Contrition (forgiveness), Thanksgiving (gratitude), Supplication (asking for material and spiritual blessings)
None of the stated forms of prayer apply directly to the Jedi beliefs, though supplication is practiced in a form, as the Jedi and others hope the Force will be with them in their endeavours.

3) Which of these types of prayer do you think is best?
-Reading, Talking, Meditation, Reflection, Chanting/Candles/Incense
While each person finds his or her own way to unification with the Force, meditation and reflection are two techniques often practiced by the Jedi. By quieting your mind with meditation, you can hear the will of the Force, and by reflection on the world around you, a person may come to greater understanding of the Living Force.

4) Do you believe and teach the importance of public worship?
Outside the ranks of the Jedi, the Force is not fully understood; indeed, some even doubt its very existence. Because of this, formal and public worship is rare, though for a true Jedi, all times are times of unification with The Force, and therefore worship. Within the Jedi Temples and the Jedi Academy, an atmosphere of worship was always in the air.

5) Do you believe and teach the importance of Sacraments?
The training of an apprentice Jedi is a structured and time-honoured ritual spanning many years. During this training, the padiwan studies under a Jedi master, who teaches the Jedi arts as they exist today. The Journal of the Whills teaches us that in ancient times, apprentices would perform challenging physical and mental exercises – such as standing on one hand while using the Force to stack rocks in intricate patterns. Because the abilities of Alter and Control have been lost, modern Jedi training consists mainly of meditation and contemplation. The initiation into the ranks of the padiwan learners – usually around the age of two or three – is a formal ritual in which the student begins his or her unification with the Force, and the test into full Jedi status – in the late teens or early twenties – is also highly symbolic and meaningful.

6) Do you teach the importance of a ritual of initiation such as Baptism? How is this performed?
When a person begins training as a padiwan learner under a Jedi, his or her hair is nearly shaved, except for a braid over the right shoulder. The future Jedi cuts his or her own hair (in the very rare cases where he or she is old enough) as a symbol of casting off fear, aggression, and hatred – the Dark Side. The braid is left as a reminder that the padiwan has not fully cast off the Dark Side yet. His or her Jedi master who will instruct him or her in the way of the Force then ties the braid, and then a bead is placed on the end by the head of the Jedi Counsel as a symbol of the Counsel’s endorsement of the training. In modern days, without the benefit of a Jedi Council, small circles of followers endorse their own candidates by having the appointed leader of their circle place the bead.

7) Do you believe and teach the importance of a ritual such as Christian Conformation by which a maturing young person “sealed” by the Holy Spirit or bring conclusion to the ritual of Initiation and to prepare them for life’s duties? How is this performed?
One of the most important rituals in a young Jedi’s life is The Test into full Jedi status. In this test, the student must use all he or she has trained in to resist the lure of the Dark Side, relying on patience and virtue, not anger and aggression to guide him or her. The Journal of the Whills tells us that in times of legend, the padiwan would go unarmed into a cave, where his or her darkest fears were hidden. The cave was a place incredibly strong with the Dark Side of the Force, and within it, the potential Jedi would face his own darkness. If the padiwan succumbed to fear and aggression and killed the representation of his own dark side, the test was failed. If the future Jedi kept the monster at bay by sheer force of will, and destroyed his or her own evil by virtue and strength of character, the test was passed.
If the test is passed, the new Jedi’s padiwan braid is cut off by his former master, to symbolise casting off the Dark Side, and showing a completion of the training. At the end of the ceremony, the Jedi draws his sward in defence of good for the first time. This symbolizes taking up the sward to fight for the cause of justice and right as a Jedi Knight. In ancient times, before the talents of Alter and Control were lost to the world, this part of the ceremony was when the new Jedi lit his or her lightsabre – which he or she made by hand during the training – for the first time. During this ceremony, the new Jedi may also take a new name for him or herself, as a symbol of the Jedi’s rebirth without the sin of the Dark Side.

8) Do you believe and teach that leaders should be set aside for ministry by a public ritual of Ordination or laying on of hands?
When a person attuned enough to The Force completes his or her training, the ceremony described above initiates him or her into the ranks of the Jedi. Only through personal strength and dedication may this rank be achieved, not the mere proclamation of another.

9) Do you believe and teach that Marriage is a holy manner of life, instituted by God for the expression of sexual love and the procreation and education of children?
The Force speaks to each person a unique way, and for a unique purpose. If The Force moves a person to marry for any reason, it is the will of The Force, and we have no right to question or supersede this communication of The Force.

10) Do you believe and teach that the sick should be prayed over by a solemn Anointing so that they may be healed and their sins forgiven?
Healing and forgiveness come from within, and from unification with The Force. If a person follows the beliefs of the Jedi, he or she may be aided in personal reflection and purification by a Jedi, but no beliefs are forced on the unwilling or those who have expressed no interest in following The Force.

11) Do you believe in and teach the importance of Wakes and funerals?
Life is sacred, and is the very substance that makes up The Force. The death of a Jedi is commemorated by a solemn cremation with chanting to the spirit of the deceased. Once the ceremony is over, joy is taken in the fact that the deceased is now truly unified with The Force.

12) Do you believe in and teach the importance of aiding those who have lost loved ones through the ministry of Grief Counselling?
Each person must come to his or her own terms on The Force in his or her life, and on the passing of a loved one. If survivors wish it, the Jedi are more than willing to consol a grieving person, and help him or her come to terms with the loved one’s unification with The Force.

Morality and the Code of Ethical Behaviour
1) Does morality play a large part in your religion
Morality is the basis and the panicle of the Jedi following. Fear, anger, aggression, all lead to the Dark Side, where pain and suffering dominates. On the other hand, patience, virtue, and wisdom lead to the harder and slower but more virtuous path of the Light Side. There are many proverbs (ex. “Beware the quick and easy path”) which help a person see the paths before them clearly in order to live his or her life by the will of The Force. The Jedi Code, “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,” is also central to the beliefs of our faith on good and evil.

2) Does the ethical code of your religion differ greatly from that of other religions?
The fundamental ethics of the Jedi following are essentially very similar to other religions. Do not steel, obey authority, do not commit violence except in the defence of your life, your family, or the safety of the innocent, among many other morals that exist across all lines of religion. We believe that all religions are different expressions of following the Force, and therefore the basic precepts of morality are common in many religions.

3) Is atheism a sin?
Many people are not attuned in any conscious way to The Force, and disbelief and atheism are understood and accepted.

4) Can members of other religions be saved?
Other religions are nothing more than other means of carrying out the will of The Force, and are equally deserving of respect as all others. Because all religions carry out the will of The Force in their own way, there is no need for a person to “be saved.” A person has no need to follow the formal teachings of the Jedi, but only to live a good and moral life, with or without conscious awareness of the Force, and he or she will be unified with the Force in death.
Those who follow the path of the Dark Side, however, are a different matter. The Jedi teach that no matter how twisted and evil a person seems, there is always a spark of good left in him or her. Through genuine repentance, even the most adamant follower of the Dark Side may return again to the light.

5) Is it a sin to use Icons, Religious Art, or Carved images in worship?
Because The Force is in all living things, all things are sacred and may be used for the focus of contemplation, meditation, or any other form of reflection.

6) Is a member of your religion obligated to practice civil obedience to reasonable civil law?
The Jedi are absolutely required to set the example of a law-abiding warrior for good. The Jedi must follow just laws, though they are obliged to fight against laws which suppress the people or are unjust to the masses.

7) Are there times when a member of your religion might be permitted or even obligated to practice civil disobedience to unreasonable civil law?
There are unquestionably many times when a Jedi must be a warrior for good. Protection of your country, your life, your family, or the safety of the innocent, are all reasons a Jedi would be all but required to act, violently or against unjust laws if necessary. When laws are unfair or rulers are cruel, peaceful civil disobedience is encouraged, but violence is only warranted in very extreme cases. The Jedi also work to end such injustices as slavery and torture, and will take whatever means are necessary to see these atrocities ended. While Jedi will protect a person or a group, they will not fight a war for any person or government, unless directed by the Council or the Force to use their martial abilities in such a conflict in the interest of good. In the end, very Jedi is a warrior against the Dark Side, and must be willing to do what is necessary to protect the common good.

8) Do you support the death penalty?
While a Jedi may kill to protect the forces of good in the galaxy, execution in cold blood for punishment is not practiced. All living creatures are a part of The Force, and all deserve to live. We have also seen that even the foulest who have been corrupted utterly by the Dark Side, may still repent and return to the light – but not if they have been executed.

9) Do you support Abortion?
While The Force teaches us that all living things are sacred, the Jedi understand and acknowledge that circumstances are unique in every case. Abortion is strongly discouraged in cases of unwanted pregnancy, but understood and accepted when it becomes a matter of the safety of the woman.

10) Do you support the efforts of a woman to achieve equal rights to a man?
A woman has absolutely equal rights to a man in every way under the Jedi school of thought. A woman may peruse any interest a man can, and many are indeed initiated as Jedi.

11) Do you condemn some behaviour in our society as degrading to women, like prostitution and pornography?
The Jedi see prostitution as a particularly revolting form of slavery. People who would otherwise turn to prostitution to survive are helped to find safer, more respectable lines of work, while those who would organise groups of prostitutes for their own benefit and profit are treated as slave owners.
The Force also teaches us that we are luminous beings, not this crude flesh we seem to be, and we must look beyond the obsession with the physical form – manifested in today’s society as pornography – and see the deeper value of the person within.

12) Are some forms of sexual behaviour wrong, sinful, unnatural, and degrading?
Fornication outside of marriage, while hardly encouraged, is not considered sinful. It is immoral and can be a sign of deeper problems functioning within society, but fornication itself is not considered evil. Once marriage vows have been spoken, breaking them through adultery is considered wrong, but by no means is it a crime from which there is no repentance. All wounds heal with time, but if they do not, they can fester into a deeper problem for society, and more than one Jedi have succumbed to temptation and joined the ranks of the Sith because of forbidden lust outside wedlock. Incest is a revolting and unnatural act, with the severity of the sin depending on the circumstances. If one of the parties is very young, it is treated as violence against an innocent, a crime that could result in exile and excommunication. If the parties are older, it is treated as a disease that must be cured.

13) Does your religion approve of homosexuality?
Each person hears the call of The Force in his or her own way. If a person is moved towards a particular lifestyle, we must obey the will of The Force.

14) Does your religion approve or tolerate physical discipline?
The Force is in all living things, and all things must be treated with respect and kindness. The Jedi understand that some lessons of childhood must be learned unpleasantly, but any physical chastisement that leaves a bruise or worse is considered violence against an innocent, a grave crime. No violence of any sort between husband and spouse is tolerated at all.

15) Is the pursuit of Justice a major part of your religion?
The pursuit of justice is absolutely the paramount of the Jedi faith. The struggle between the Sith and the Jedi, rebellion against cruel leaders and laws, freedom and equality for all: all are incarnations of the untiring quest of the Jedi for truth and justice.
We believe that all living beings are equal in The Force, and so too must people of all walks of life be equal. Any violent action against a person based on race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual preference, physical handicap, or age, is treated even more harshly than other violent crimes.

16) Is concern for the just distribution of wealth part of your religion?
Just distribution of wealth is important to the Jedi. We work to end corrupt alliances of the wealthy abusing the lower classes for financial gain. We also fight strongly against such horrific practices as slavery. The acquisition of wealth, however, is not the concern of Jedi. A Jedi never acts for personal power or wealth, but for knowledge and enlightenment.

17) Is concern for the environment part of your religion?
All living things are a part of The Force, and deserve to be treated as sacred beings with all of the respect that conscience races warrant. When we destroy the environment, we destroy all the creatures that share and revel in The Force with us, and loose a crucial part of our understanding of the Force and ourselves.

18) Is truth telling and language a matter of your religion?
A Jedi must always strive to be honest and truthful whenever possible, though compromises may be made in the interest of the greater good. If a Jedi – or anyone, for that matter – tells a blatant lie to save a life, it is considered justified, but truth is always valued and encouraged. Falseness and deception are the ways of the Dark Side, and truth is prized in the followers of the Jedi faith.

19) Do you believe and teach that material greed is a cause of a great deal of crime and suffering in our society?
We believe that greed, while a major and significant problem, is merely one incarnation of the cause of crime and suffering. All aspects of the Dark Side: the quick and easy path paved with greed and anger, are responsible for suffering. It is also taught in an ancient Jedi proverb that: “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”

20) Do people have the moral and religious obligation to organize and fight for their Human and Civil rights?
Every being is entitled to Civil Rights, and if a person wishes to fight for those rights, the Jedi will support and aid in that quest for freedom and equality. The fight for equality and freedom is an integral part of the history of the Jedi. As far back as the ancient Republic spoken of in the Journal of the Whills, the Jedi have been fighting for the human and civil rights of all people.
Regardless of the popularity of religion in the political arena of the moment, it is the responsibility of religion to fight social injustices like slavery and poverty. The Jedi, while now a small following, do what we can against poverty, and the Journal of the Whills tells us of epic battles the Jedi fought in the days of legend against slavery.
People struggling for equality are involved in unquestionably the most profound religious act that can be engaged in. Fragments of an old Jedi legend in The Journal of the Whills tells of the last days of a galactic Republic, and it’s descent into an evil and tyrannical empire ruled by the Sith. The two remaining Jedi fought bravely so that they – and a new student – could overthrow the evil galactic empire and destroy the Sith. Both Jedi gave their lives to the struggle, and only the learner remained as the sole guardian of the Jedi faith in the galaxy. Just so, all people should be willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater goods of freedom and equal rights for all.

Current Events
1. This is a Jubilee year for Christianity. What do you think of the celebrations that have taken place so far?
I have seen no major affects of this year proclaimed a Jubilee. I have seen no major outreach to the poor and downtrodden, I have seen no serious attempt on behalf of the Catholic Church to be inclusive or to accept people of other faiths and walks of life, as the Force teaches us we must. In all, I have seen no real results of this being a Jubilee year.

2. This US presidential election, each candidate has said much about his religion. What role do your think religion should play in the election? How will your religion affect your vote?
I think religion does and should play a major role in the election of the president of the United States. The citizens have a right to know what moral guidelines have been passed to a candidate through his religion, and how that faith will affect decisions made by that candidate if elected. Because of my religion, among other reasons, I plan to vote for Al Gore. His policies focus more on preserving the environment than his opponent’s, and the environment is an integral part of the Living Force. Al Gore also has shown himself to be more tolerant of people of different walks of life than George W. Bush, be they religious, racial, or sexual preference differences, and the Force teaches us that all people are a part of the Force, and must be respected. Knowledge is one of the focuses of the Light Side, and I believe that Gore’s education plans will be more able to reform failing schools and insure that all students have the opportunity for knowledge.

3. What do you think Bishop Pilla’s Church in the City programme? What do you think about the progress of the programme so far? What remains to be done?
The Church in the City program is an excellent programme with noble goals. Any venue that protects and helps the poor and homeless is worthwhile and valuable, and should be encouraged. All humanity shares in the Force, and so all humanity must be allowed to flourish and grow unhindered by poverty. I feel that the benefits have been real and significant, but the most pronounced benefits have been seen in too small an area. The focus must now be directed outward, so that even more around the country and around the world can feel the benefit of programmes like this one.

4. What is you opinion of the political and religious division of Northern Ireland between the Protestants and the Catholics? What do you think about members of the same faith at war with each other? What can we do about it?
The division in Northern Ireland is very unfortunate, and both sides must be encouraged to come to an agreement. When a person fights against the legions of darkness and diametrically opposed viewpoints, he or she is committing a noble act. However, when a person sheds lives over superficial differences in the implementation of the same beliefs, that person is following the aggression and anger of the Dark Side. To end this atrocity, the Catholic Pope and the Protestant Archbishops must call for their sides to end to the violence. When two such similar faiths kill each other, it is like seeing brothers kill each other, and must be stopped.

5. What is your opinion of the Jewish / Muslim conflict in Israel? What can we do about it?
Again, peace must reign, but I fear peace in the Middle East will be difficult and long in the works. The Jedi know that wars do not make people great, but rather, they foster the anger and aggression of the Dark Side. Therefore, violence must be stopped whenever possible. All sides have such a heritage of violence and a conditioning from birth for hatred towards the other side. Jerusalem is a place holy to so many peoples that conflict is almost inevitable, but that that conflict manifests itself in physical violence is truly unfortunate. I feel that, unfortunately, little can be done to rectify the situation until both sides are willing to work towards peace. Until not only the leaders, but also the people of the nations in conflict are willing to work for peace, it cannot be forced upon them by foreign powers.

6. What is your opinion of the religious conflict in the former Yugoslavia? What can we do about it?
The conflict in the former Yugoslavia is unfortunate, but based off mistakes in the past. Whenever people are suppressed by a dominant majority and are restricted from having the freedom to lead their lives as they choose, conflict is bound to arise, and is justified. The Journal of the Whills tells us of the struggle of the ancient Jedi against a cruel empire ruled by the Sith, and so too must people everywhere fight for freedom and be supported in that fight. I do not feel that the conflicts in this area are based so much on religion as nationality, as peoples of different national heritages struggle to escape suppressive and cruel rule by the majority. I believe that the United States and other political as well as religious powers should stand up for the rights of the suppressed minority, possibly with force if it becomes absolutely necessary.

7. Abortion is a controversial issue in America. What do you think of the Pro-life movement? The Pro- choice movement? What do you think should be done about abortion?
I feel that extremists in both the Pro-life and the Pro-choice movements have made mistakes. While we believe that the unborn share in the Force with the rest of the galaxy, making violent attacks on doctors and blocking potential patients from possibly life-saving treatment is unjust. Likewise, free and unrestrained abortions are inappropriate. Because the unborn share in the Force with us, the Jedi feel that abortions should be few and far between. There should be no abortions for unwanted pregnancies, though we recognise that sometimes-unfortunate measures must be taken to save the life of the mother. Abortion should be discouraged, but legal under lifesaving circumstances.

8. What is your opinion on the legalisation of all currently banned drugs? What do you think of the USA’s campaign to keep drugs out of America? What should we do about this issue?
Illegal drugs are indeed a major issue in the United States and in nations around the world. I fully agree that some substances must be controlled or banned for the good of the people, though many substances have uses – like medicinal marijuana for patients with terminal illnesses – that could fit into society. Drugs are the quick and easy path – the Dark Side to happiness for too many people, and drug trafficking must be stopped. I see that America’s efforts to keep drugs out of the country have been flawed. It has led to border hostility, racial profiling, and no noticeable decrease in drug traffic over the US / Mexican border. I see Washington’s anti-drug campaign as an unfortunate case of throwing money at a problem. Unfortunately, I do not know what should be done. I know that illegal drug traffic must be stopped, but I do not personally know how this should be accomplished. However, finding a fair and effective way to stem the influx of illegal drugs into America should be a major concern of the government.

9. What is your opinion of the feminist movement? What roles should women have in today’s society? Should women have a greater role in the church?
The Jedi feel that all people are equal in the Force, and that any movement that uses non-violent means such as peaceful rallies and education to combat the suppression of a minority is a noble endeavour. In this age of supposed enlightenment and equality, women should play a full and equal part. While the Jedi are completely inclusive of women, the exclusion of many Christian churches towards woman seems a throwback to the barbaric times of the Dark Ages. Women should be permitted and encouraged to play a full and active role in worship, both public and private.

10. Do you think the church has enough clergy to fulfil its purpose? What should be done to provide adequate leadership in the church?
I do not feel that most religions have the clergy to perform the good works they honestly wish to do. With more people working, much more could be accomplished to aid the poor and downtrodden, but the ranks of the clergy are clearly shrinking. I believe that one way to rectify this would be to allow women to assume roles as ministers and priests. The Jedi have allowed women to serve as Jedi since the beginning, and firmly believe that inclusion for all people under the Force is the right path to follow. Allowing women to become clergy members would open the vocation and the calling to twice as many people, and could possibly double the ranks of the priesthood. This would have the affect of nearly doubling the good works that can be accomplished by the Christian churches.

Extra
1. What do you believe should be done about questionable material in the media? Do you believe the MPAA’s rating system should be revamped?
While the Jedi do believe pornography is wrong, a major focus of the Light Side is knowledge, and free flow of information is essential to knowledge. For there to be free flow of information, there must not be censorship in any way. We do, however, strongly believe on a detailed and standardised ratings system so that parents know how a movie, video game, television programme, or compact disk was rated and why. This would allow parents to make their own decisions of what information is appropriate for their children.

2. What do the Jedi believe about the end of the world? Do you believe we are in the world’s final days?
Though some Jedi disagree, most feel that the prophecies in the Journal of the Whills have not yet been fulfilled. We do not feel that the world can or will end before the fulfilment of these prophecies. When they are fulfilled and the Son of the Sun comes to the world, we are taught that the New Republic will come into being, a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity throughout the galaxy.

3. If the Journal of the Whills is in fragments, is there a central holy book of the Jedi? Has any attempt been made to collect the parables, legends, and proverbs of the Jedi?
When I say that The Journal is in fragments, I mean that the text itself is incomplete. There are not scraps of pages scattered across the world, but rather, the text that has survived to this day is incomplete. Full bound copies of what is known of The Journal do exist, though they are rare and the prized possessions of the highest ranking Jedi. What is available now is a tome of what is known of The Journal, along with many Jedi proverbs, such as, “Do – or do not. There is no try.” – Journal of the Wills 10:13

4. What is the central creation belief of the Jedi? Where did the Force come from, or did the Force create life?
That is an interesting question, and one without an easy answer. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? But this is even trickier, because we are taught that the Force is created by all living things, yet it is clear that the Force is the source of all life. The Jedi teaching, however, is that the Force has always existed – in part. The Force existed in a time before the cosmos, without time and space forever, when all was void. It was incomplete, however, and yearned for wholeness. To make Itself complete, the Force attempted to create life, but It could not. It was unable to create, because it was pure good, and all life is formed by the conflict of good and evil. So the Force sacrificed a piece of Itself to darkness and evil, which would one day be known as the Dark Side. Now with the balance of good and evil essential to existence, the Force created the first life. The first life was a simple cell, and unable to feel the Force, so the Force was still not complete. It worked and moulded, formed and shaped evolution for billions of years, until the first creature that could feel the Force – the first Jedi and the first human – was created. Then the Force was complete, and humanity had developed, prepared to dance through a million years, revelling in the gift of consciousness – awareness of the Force.

5. Why are the Jedi not one of the world’s major religions?
We are told in the Journal of the Whills that the Jedi were once common in the galaxy, and were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. During the Dark Times, a vast empire was created by the Sith, and the Jedi were persecuted almost to extinction. At one point, we are told that only two Jedi survived in the universe – and both in hiding from the Sith empire. Together, they trained their successor, who would overthrow the empire, and restore the Jedi to the galaxy. Jedi academies and temples were re-established, and the Jedi were once again a major presence. Since that time of renaissance, the Jedi have petered out like so many religions of old, as followers turned to different followings and new religions. When the talents of Control and Alter were lost to the Jedi, many saw this as a sign that the Force had gone out of the galaxy, and the Jedi were no more. Only select few retained faith during these times. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the Force, as the legends of the Journal of the Whills were dramatised on film. These movies have been quite controversial among the Jedi, though consensus is that anything that returns people to the Force – even a corrupted and misinterpreted portrayal of The Journal is a good thing.

6. Why and how were the abilities of Control and Alter lost to the Jedi?
No one is quite sure why the abilities of Control and Alter have been lost, though all hope they will be restored eventually. Many Jedi believe that when humanity fell away from the Force, it lost some of Its power. It became almost like before the creation of life, when it was incomplete without people to sense and wonder in it. The Force is still there – creating and sustaining all life – and the Jedi can still Sense Its presence, but until humanity returns to the Force will not be able to come to the galaxy as It once could.

7. Do the Jedi believe that there is life on other planets?
Unquestionably. The Force is in all living things, and it would be the height of arrogance for humans to assume that we are the ultimate life forms in the universe. The Force has other children on other planets, who feel the same Force we do. Doubtless, there are Jedi of other races on different worlds, and perhaps a place where the Jedi can still manipulate the Living Force. Perhaps through other life forms and other civilisations, the Force can be returned to us in Its full splendour.

8. Have there been any archaeological digs to recover lost artefacts like lightsabres and other relics? Why have no artefacts been recovered?
You must remember that the legends and stories told to us in the Journal of the Whills are just that – stories and legends. Why has no Christian archaeologist found the Garden of Eden? Why has no one unearthed the tablets of the Ten Commandments? It is possible that these are simply inspired stories, meant to give us a sense of origin and a hope for what the future may become. I have no need to dig in the dirt to find proof of the Force; my proof is here – in my soul where I feel Its presence.

9. When did the Jedi appear and what is some of your ancient history?
It is said that the first human was the first to sense the Force, and the first Jedi. Evan as a formal discipline and religion the origin of the Jedi ways fades in to the mists of the ages. We are told in The Journal that the Jedi were old when the world was new, and our most ancient history does not mesh neatly with what earthly scientists have so confidently mapped out as the timeline of the world. The Old Republic, the Sith Empire, and the other events of the Journal of the Whills are millions of years old, and the Jedi existed long before that. The Journal of the Whills says: “When the world was new and time was fresh, two men were walking a beach on the newly formed world. As they neared, they saw each other, and each was shocked to feel the Force in the other. When they met, one asked, “You feel it too, this Force?” and the other nodded. “Than you are my brother,” said the first, “for we are the same flesh, and feel the same Force.” And so was the Old republic born.” – Journal of the Whills 1:18. So it could be said that the Jedi and the Old Republic are as old as humanity itself.