THC Science

Jediism is a non-theistic new religious movement^[1]^[2]^[3] based upon the philosophical and spiritual ideas of the Jedi as depicted in Star Wars media.^[4] The real-world Jedi assert the existence of the Force, and advocate adherence to the Jedi code.^{[citation needed]} According to recent censuses in some English-speaking countries, over 500,000 people declared their religion as Jedi, in addition, a few Jedi churches/temples exist around the world.^[5]

Philosophy

The Jedi interpret and use the philosophic teachings found in Star Wars, as well as other inspirational sources. Jediism is a blend of Taoism, Buddhism, and the teachings of Joseph Campbell and Alan Watts.^{[citation needed]} It also shares basic ideals with many other religions, the Code of Chivalry, and spiritual aspects of some martial arts.^{[citation needed]} In spite of holding different views and having different interpretations of the abundant Star Wars material, the Jedi share a set of core values essential to their path; the Force, and the code of conduct similar to the chivalry code, more commonly known as "The Jedi Code". However, as there is no set path, or no "holy book" in Jediism, the nature of the force is open to interpretation.^{[citation needed]} Some Jedi claim to use mind tricks for good in their daily lives and professions.^{[citation needed]}

The Force

The Force is what most Jedi believe everything comes from, what everything currently exists within, and what everything returns to. It is the energy behind the existence of everything known or unknown to humanity, an "unified field theory", a theory in philosophy and theoretical physics, and may be compared to the pantheist god.^{[citation needed]} The Force does not require prayer, worship, or other such actions as some other religions might, though most Jedi practice some forms of meditation.^{[citation needed]}

Most Jedi choose to focus on the Force through one or more of the three widely accepted spiritual aspects: the Personal Force, the Living Force and the Unifying Force.

The Sides of the Force

The Jedi share different views regarding the Force and its nature. Some view the Force as having a Dark Side and a Light Side, while many prefer the "Potentium" theory, which states that there are no distinct sides within the Force.^[6]

In Jediism, the most accepted explanation is that the Light and Dark sides of the Force are reflected by the individual's intent and emotional state within their personal Force.^{[citation needed]} Some have also debated that the Star Wars movies make no mention of any other "sides" but the dark side, and argue that the Force has no sides at all, with the dark side merely being the corruption they bring to their personal Force. The light Jedi believe it is a trait to be compassionate and care about improving and helping the lives of others, while dark Jedi (or Sith) focus exclusively on self improvement and interest. The shadow Jedi argue that good and evil are points of view, and that both Jedi and Sith wrongly interfere with the natural flow of the force, calling "sides" of the Force nothing more than superstition or metaphors.^{[citation needed]}

Controversy

Census

In 2001, around 500,000 people in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia recorded their religion as "Jedi" on their national census.^[7]

The Jedi community had existed for some time before the census, but the results were interpreted exclusively as a joke by the governments of their respective countries.^{[citation needed]}

In the media

Jediism is often reported on the Internet and in news articles in a negative or satirical way.^[8]

In politics

In 2005, a draft of the "racial and religious hatred bill" in the UK specifically excluded Jedi Knights from any protection, alongside Satanists, Scientologists, sexists, racists, and believers in animal or human sacrifice.^[9]
In November 2006, two self-proclaimed Jedi wearing Star Wars robes and a third person disguised as a Wookiee demanded that the UN change the "International Day of Tolerance" to "Interstellar Day of Tolerance".^[10]
On September 18, 2009 Daniel Jones, co-founder of the Holyhead based "Church of Jediism" was asked to leave Tesco for refusing to uncover his head in violation of the store's "no hoodie" policy. Jones claimed it was a religious requirement to cover his head in public, and pointed out the burqa was allowed.^[11]

References

^ Humanities.qut.edu.au
^ Google Books Peter Bernard Clarke - New Religions in Global Perspective. Google Books. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
^ Trinity-CM.ac.uk New Religious Movements Conference
^ Lynne Hume, Kathleen McPhillips - Popular Spiritualities. Google Books.
^ Jedi churches at Curlie
^ Coruscant Nights
^ BBC News Article - Email revealed as hoax
^ BBC newsThe BBC article March 6, 2001 which started the "media incident".
^ House of commons -- Racial and religious hatred bill
^ Daily Mail Sky News The Sun -- self-proclaimed Jedi Umada and Yunyun demand an "Interstellar Day of Tolerance" instead of the UN International Day of Tolerance
^ The Sun -- grocery store bans Jedi Knight

External links

The Jediism Way - A Site with information about Jediism and a discussion forum.
Jedi Resource Center - A site with information and forums for Jedi and seekers.
The Institute for Jedi Realist Studies - A website focused on training Jedi and encouraging Jedi to advance the path through shared research.
Jedi Sanctuary - Information on Jediism and a Jedi forum with users internationally.
Temple of the Jedi force - forums and trainings about Jediism
Jedi church - A Jedi church website.
[1] - A Gospel according to Master Yoda
ForceAcademy Network - A site with information and groups on Jediism and forum related topics

[1] Humanities.qut.edu.au

[2] Google Books Peter Bernard Clarke - New Religions in Global Perspective. Google Books. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)

[3] Trinity-CM.ac.uk New Religious Movements Conference

[4] Lynne Hume, Kathleen McPhillips - Popular Spiritualities. Google Books.

[5] Jedi churches at Curlie

[6] Coruscant Nights

[7] BBC News Article - Email revealed as hoax

[8] BBC newsThe BBC article March 6, 2001 which started the "media incident".

[9] House of commons -- Racial and religious hatred bill

[10] Daily Mail Sky News The Sun -- self-proclaimed Jedi Umada and Yunyun demand an "Interstellar Day of Tolerance" instead of the UN International Day of Tolerance

[11] The Sun -- grocery store bans Jedi Knight

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 ==== The Sides of the Force ====
-The Jedi share different views regarding the Force and its nature. Some view the Force as having a Dark Side and a Light Side, while many prefer the "Potentium" theory, which states that there are no distinct sides within the Force.{{fact}}
+The Jedi share different views regarding the Force and its nature. Some view the Force as having a Dark Side and a Light Side, while many prefer the "Potentium" theory, which states that there are no distinct sides within the Force.<ref>''[[Coruscant Nights]]''</ref>
 In Jediism, the most accepted explanation is that the Light and Dark sides of the Force are reflected by the individual's intent and emotional state within their personal Force.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} Some have also debated that the Star Wars movies make no mention of any other "sides" but the dark side, and argue that the Force has no sides at all, with the dark side merely being the corruption they bring to their personal Force. The light Jedi believe it is a trait to be compassionate and care about improving and helping the lives of others, while dark Jedi (or Sith) focus exclusively on self improvement and interest. The shadow Jedi argue that good and evil are points of view, and that both Jedi and Sith wrongly interfere with the natural flow of the force, calling "sides" of the Force nothing more than superstition or metaphors.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}