There seems to be an increase of Sith and Dark Side traffic (outbursts?) in the shout as of late. I would like to say a few words on the matter.

The Temple of the Jedi Order does not embrace Sith Philosophy. We did give it a try but the Jedi and the Sith ideals were just too conflicting.

TOTJO is a Light oriented Site. It is stated on our home page in that we promote a positive attitude in our teachings and strive to advance knowledge and understanding that spans across many religions and beliefs.

If one should be looking to exercise the Sith way, TOTJO is not the place. There are many other sites that are devoted to Sith Philosophy with many like-minded members to interact with; becoming a member here and then spewing out slogans in the shout box doesn’t make much sense, TOTJO isn’t going to be moved by these words, as scarey as you may think they may be… well, they just aren’t… so do yourself a favor and don’t do this.

Before anyone points any fingers, I am not a hypocrite; I have been a full fledged Sith…I won’t pretend otherwise (I have been there and I do have more than one tee-shirt). I have belonged to some other Sith sites so I know that they exist. I did take a vow to uphold the ideals of this site, and I will stand by that pledge. I do not decree myself as being a Light, Dark or Shadow…

The following is borrowed from another site; the Order of the Jedi (OOTS). I think that it mirrors our philosophy here at TOTJO quite closely.

Light vs Dark side

Jediism is not a science-fiction theme.

Although there are apparently Light and Dark ways to use the Force, we do not promote the concept of Light and Dark side of the Force.
The Force is holy in nature.
It is its usage that can make it to lose its holy appearance, but the Force nonetheless remains holy in nature.

Consider electricity.
Whatever we do with electricity, it remains electricity.
Consider a knife. Whatever we do with the knife, it remains a knife.

It is easy to do good deeds with electricity, as much as it is easy to cook, or craft with a knife. Do not confuse the actor, the action, and the tool used.

Once this concept is understood, we can state that Jediism promotes the use, and practice, of only the Light side of the Force.

MTFBWUA

well said
here's hoping it works as intended

Kudos to you in remaining objective and forthright in your views. *nods*

Garm wrote:


Words to this effect are stated in FAQ, TOTJO`s stance on Sith. Like Master Garm I too was a Sith member, but I have found true meaning in life and have found my place here. I also remember being a Sith to be something completely different to mindless ranting or threats or insults or declaration of wars.

i have my doubts that the so-called sith that have been displaying diarhea of the keyboard in the shoutbox are even in fact actually sith...i get the feeling that they are simply bored or lonely people trying to get attention....most people that have truly been to the depths of darkness rarely ever speak of it publicly, out of either shame of their actions or fear of getting caught....

the force is simply the force....it's not light nor dark it just is....the only light or dark is in the true intent of the user...

Im with you on that RyuJin. And they maybe like causing trouble or they just dont like us and they want to make fun of us.

Every so often we get hate mail through the 'Contact Us' function saying we're stupid, we're going to get in trouble with George Lucas, we should all die etc. Guess what? So does every single celebrity on Earth.

We and TOTJF are the most visited Jediism sites on The Internet and there's plenty of sad people with nothing better to do or coping with a mental illness. I can only feel sympathy for all the good friends they'll never meet and all the great things they might have learned.

Real Sith? All masters around here I know are fully trained and proficient in the 'dark arts' otherwise how could we know and defend against them when they really occur? But we're not stupid. We know that there is no escaping consequences and one who uses The Force for ill always becomes sick themselves. Ultimately far worse than any injury they've inflicted.

A Jedi Master can eat any Sith for breakfast and poo them out before lunch. The more one focuses on the dark the more blind one becomes yet it only takes a single spark of light to vanquish darkness.

Yes, the dark side is misuse and abuse of The Force and not a real side like the fictional force.

Personally I tell anyone they are welcome to participate and learn but that we don't put up with all the sith talk because it confuses new members. Not because it puts any Jedi in danger.

Time is valuable and people who are serious students should not have to put up with doo doo.

OK - ive said this to others in PM's (so soz for repeatition)

We are currently in the holiday season - most 'kids' are off school - they are bored and think having a dig at our site is fun in someway

Every year - I can mark on a calendar - when this (and other sites) will get a rush of 'abuse' and its always around xmas/new year - easter and the summer holidays (school holidays im talking about)

So all I can do (and the admins can do) is ask for your patience and tolerance - there is a set of tools the admins can use to deal with these interuptions but they are a last resort

The more 'aggressive' individuals are usually just blocked.

All the other points made by our valued members in regard to 'the darkside' etc etc remain valid so I wont waste anyones time repeating their wise words.

MTFBWY - A

for the most part i simply pay no mind to the negativity they spew...

Br.John it's kind of interesting that you mentioned all it takes is a single spark of light....before i began the jedi path i was well down the road of darkness, doing very terrible things to other living beings(animals) simply for my own amusement....i was so bad off that afterwards i would use their bodies as playthings...most people that make it as far down that path as i did never come back or worse go further down...then one day i looked directly in the eyes of an animal i was tormenting to death(literally) and saw that \"spark\" as it faded....i felt the hollow emptiness left behind that i had caused and was overwhelmed by remorse for all the other animals i had done that to...since that day i can always tell when someone else is heading down that path, and i can always tell when a life has ended if i'm in the vacinity....this is the first and only time i have ever mentioned this and the only other people that knew about it was my parents....it's because of that poor innocent creature i tormented that i sought redemption....it died but saved me as it did...recently here there was a murder trial and the guy that committed it started out the same way...he was tormenting and killing animals....then he moved further into the darkness and was lost....i was fortunate enough to find my way out

wow....re-reading that last post....makes it seem worse....and makes me seem not so nice a person...of course i also must remember that that person is long gone now...