noun: religion

Andy Spalding wrote: Just FYI, I found out during my previous questioning, that there actually is a criteria they use for knighthood here, they just don't make it readily available.

After someone completed the initiate programme to the satisfaction of the knights involved in checking it, they have to be picked up by a master. This does not always happen.
Then, there are three checks:
-A.Div (all exercises need to be documented as well as points awarded)
-The master's final approval (the individual must have completed any custom lessons/tasks to the satisfaction of the master)
-Final interview by at least one councillor.

It has happened before that a candidate was put forward but was not successful during the interview.

An apprentice may also refuse to make their solemn vows, meaning they cannot become a knight although totjo deems them ready.


In fact, even simple membership isn't as easy as it seems. A valid oath is needed. if that oath is rescinded, with or without notification, an individual ceases to be a member.

Andy Spalding wrote: Just FYI, I found out during my previous questioning, that there actually is a criteria they use for knighthood here, they just don't make it readily available.

Idk what happened in my previous post, but I did state in my draft that I have gone around on this topic with Andy and Alethea...

Not that I can't do so again, of course...

And, not that they necessarily agree either, but they understand enough to know that we are taking it serious, lol...

Khaos wrote: I actually hadnt thought about Knighthood yet.

Fact is, only in something like this, could you have the luxury of being so careless.

So then, is it safe to assume that only Knights actually "matter"? Or those who are "putting forth the effort?" The rest are just a nice number to use for marketing?

As I imagine you dont know all 3000, and they could be any sort of character, but can join and claim to be a part of this community, and as such represent it, at least as a number. If they happen to do something less than savory, I imagine more than that.

So, why use them, let them join,etc at all?

As for getting yo know you all a litte better, well, im just a name on a screen according to Jestor, so, what exactly am I supposed to gather in your meaning in getting you a little better? Im not even a person apparently.

You seem to have inadvertently misinterpreted what Ive said, and I apologise if I have made you feel as though you are "not as important" as a knight or registered member. You seem to have developed a very poor opinion of the temple and the way things are done here, and I would hate for any of our other members and guests to have gotten the same, unfortunately inaccurate, impression.

Anyone is permitted to join because there is no agenda that excludes people. We like people. We wish more of them would come join us. There is no "using" of people either. Everyone has a right to explore and learn and find a sense of community. Like any group of people, some get along more easily than others and there will always be people who participate more actively than others. Its human nature. Certainly not a reflection of their "value".

As for Knighthood? Well, anyone can pick up a racket and play a game of tennis. They might even decide to call themselves a tennis player. There are some people who like to play alone, working on their game against the wall. There are some who look for a buddy or a group to play with, and some people chose to take lessons to explore their ability. They are all still playing tennis.

I have a feeling that you already know some of the others.... but heres a good place to start...
Hello Khaos, Im Brenna. I dont believe we've been introduced.

Brenna wrote:

sidvkili wrote:

Brenna wrote:

Khaos wrote: Lol, and so its pretty much meanlingless, if all that one needs to become a Jedi is say so. Haha, who knows what type of people you have made your "peers". Yet I imagine in day to day life you would pick those you know with a bit more of a discerning eye.

Apparently the internet is not condusive to mindfulness, common sense, or quality control.

Unity born of apathy is a fairly sad way to go about it though.

Of course the lable of Jedi is meaningless. Its just a word. One picked because of its "this is kinda sorta more or less what I mean" quality. And it will forever be meaningless to you unless you dig deeper than the surface of it. I notice that you are still a guest here...

Quality control? We have around 3000 people who join this community in a year (based on 2012 annual report) and less than 50 who are ranked as Knight or above. And not every person who is apprenticed becomes a knight.

Those who actually put in the effort get to know their "peers" pretty well, and many of them are outstanding people of great character and value.

Perhaps you should consider getting to know us a little better before presuming to know us.

I don't think the quality control was directed at knighthood lol. Tell me to shut up if I misinterpreted you, Khaos. It looked like you directed it at "jedi" as a whole.

Well what should we do? throw out people we dont think are "jedi" enough? Who gets to decide if they make the cut or not? What if some of the people who come here are just looking for a friendly community or someone who is looking to understand more about us but doesnt actually want to join? How "jedi" would we be if we told them to get lost?

now why does that description sound familiar?

First off, Richard himself has said that what people have done with that quote was not what he had intended to get across.

Also, what "we" do is irrelevant.

"We" are not Jedi, are we?

Certainly im not.

Apples and oranges

Though apparently, all you need to do to be one is say so.

So I guess it wouldnt be all that hard to be if I wanted to.

I could be number three thousand and whatever.

neither am I. I know what Irvine meant by his quote, read the lecture and I've heard him speak about it. I just meant that they use the word Jedi by a similar path of logic

What makes someone a Christian?

What makes someone an Atheist?

Etc.

What makes someone a Sith?

Jestor wrote: [
I have gone around on this topic with Andy and Alethea...

Not that I can't do so again, of course...

Yes we have, and no, I think I'll pass. It took AT LEAST 12 pages to get someone to admit there is SOME KIND of standard for knighthood the last time.

Now that I know it exists, I can just let it be. Besides, "unification" and "standards" really don't worry me anymore. I have a good thing going on my own.

Br. John wrote: What makes someone a Christian?

What makes someone an Atheist?

Etc.

What makes someone a Sith?

the issue of christian and atheist isn't the same issue of jedi and sith.
One is about belief the other can be about desire, certain feelings etc

sidvkili wrote:

Br. John wrote: What makes someone a Christian?

What makes someone an Atheist?

Etc.

What makes someone a Sith?

the issue of christian and atheist isn't the same issue of jedi and sith.
One is about belief the other can be about desire, certain feelings etc

Can you answer the questions?

Br. John wrote:

sidvkili wrote:

Br. John wrote: What makes someone a Christian?

What makes someone an Atheist?

Etc.

What makes someone a Sith?

the issue of christian and atheist isn't the same issue of jedi and sith.
One is about belief the other can be about desire, certain feelings etc

Can you answer the questions?

yeah

What makes somebody a christian, belief and acceptance of a particular god
what makes somebody an atheist, rejection of a god
What makes somebody a sith, desire, passion. A resonance with "dark"

sidvkili wrote:
What makes somebody a christian, belief and acceptance of a particular god
what makes somebody an atheist, rejection of a god
What makes somebody a sith, desire, passion. A resonance with "dark"

See how easy that is? By that reckoning there's hundreds of millions (maybe billions) of Sith. Many don't even know they are Sith. Almost everyone has desire, plenty have passion and many have dark feelings and thoughts. Nothing to it. You don't even have to say you're a Sith to be one.