Word battle: Temple VS church

I'm guessing Mormons, Jews, or Eastern Orthodox persons would feel much differently about the word "temple"..
but I'm also guessing there aren't many around here? Certainly not enough to let it determine anything.
Five years ago the word "temple" was worse to me than the word "church". I've learned a lot since then, though, and my views are expanded. A person leaving any one of those religions recently might still have a difficult time with it, though. And I can say how difficult it is having a conversation with a member of one of them using either term - temple or church.

I'm just thinking out loud (out text? I don't know).
I guess I'm saying - I understand why it matters to some people. I also understand why it doesn't to others. As for myself, and for what it's worth, I certainly prefer the word "temple" at this point.

I had another thought and rather than simply edit my previous post, I figured I'd just add a new one..

So some not liking the term "church" and yet, currently in use are terms like Bishop, Seminary, Pastor, etc. as well as using a variation of a Christian prayer as our own creed.
Perhaps that belongs in an entirely new thread and I'm sure one already exists. Not to derail, but I'm not sure what the problem with the word church would be if there isn't one with the other verbiages we use?

There's a lot of talk about this kind of thing in other threads right now, but you have a very good point. People have asked for the clergy titles to be changed often because of their supposed Christian overtones (they aren't exclusive to that faith), but I've only heard a handful disagree with the use of the Creed (for the same reasons) so far.

Reliah wrote: I'm guessing Mormons, Jews, or Eastern Orthodox persons would feel much differently about the word "temple"..
but I'm also guessing there aren't many around here? Certainly not enough to let it determine anything.

Ex-Mormon here, already chimed in about that like 6 pages ago

vladucard wrote:

Reliah wrote: I'm guessing Mormons, Jews, or Eastern Orthodox persons would feel much differently about the word "temple"..
but I'm also guessing there aren't many around here? Certainly not enough to let it determine anything.

Ex-Mormon here, already chimed in about that like 6 pages ago

I skipped around too much in my reading. You'd think I'd know better by now. Thank you for making me aware - and for sharing your thoughts. Looks like Tris did the same.

I prefer the word Temple simply because it is canon. It is the Jedi house of knowledge and the Force.

steamboat28 wrote: There's a lot of talk about this kind of thing in other threads right now, but you have a very good point. People have asked for the clergy titles to be changed often because of their supposed Christian overtones (they aren't exclusive to that faith), but I've only heard a handful disagree with the use of the Creed (for the same reasons) so far.

My feeling is that the Creed itself isn't so much associated with the 'system' of church, as the word 'church' and the titles like Deacon and Bishop are.
If we had the Lord's Prayer, fiddled about to make it Jedi, that would probably get more objections.

Rebekka wrote: i agree with what many have stated. Temple is generic, and would thus be preferred.

In my opinion and observation,'Church' is usually a very christian word, same with how Synagogue is often a very jewish word (and everything that would be implied with such a word, be it one word or the other), and while a jedi can have personal abrahamic influences, im not entirely sure the national and international jedi communities should adopt a word which could construe certain things at a glance, which may or may not be true with regard to the jedi philosophies.

also, to reference the star wars elements of Jedi-ism (i can already hear some of you cringing and face-palming), it is canon to call a jedi 'church' a temple.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jedi_temple

(also, as something of a similar yet different topic, is the jedi order symbol, and what it is (which may imply what it is connected to). IMO, the present jedi symbol, the 5 pointed stars, one upright and one inverse, implies ties to wicca and other european paganisms, rather than buddhism or taoism or other was asian philosophies, although i do respect wicca and buddhism and taoism)

While some may cringe, I actually prefer to use SW canon where it can be applied. To use the word Jedi itself is obviously a call to what it means in SW canon. We also have knights and apprentices. We believe in the Force. We take SW terms and apply our own meaning, making them applicable to a galaxy not so far far away. So I wouldn't even understand the usage of the word "church" in this context. And legally, does a Judaism ever have to use the term church to refer to itself? I don't think so.

clergy: the body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church. (very Christian)
sermon: a talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a church service and based on a passage from the Bible. (moderately Christian)
doctrine: a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group. (okay)

I prefer words like: lecture, teachings, principles, precepts, disciplines, councilor, etc.

The "Doctrine" page, imo, is well worded. However, the use of mainly Christian terms is a turn off for me. I guess part of the reason is that "certain churches and religions" use sermons to tell people what to think and the way it is done, where the only interactivity is positive reinforcement, tends to have an effect similar to that of a "jedi mind trick" (using the term loosely). A professor in college may give a lecture but it can be given with questions throughout or questions at the end. I really think it would benefit Jediism greatly to rethink the common practices of Christianity and other faiths, before final adoption. Otherwise factions may form where one faction operates more like Western religions and another more like Eastern religions.

The words we use shouldn't be buzz words aimed at proving we are a religion. People can see through such things. The main thing that makes any religion, a religion, is that they offer the individual a "path". I would like to see Jediism offer multiple paths/classes. But I would like to see us using Jedi terminology as opposed to Christian terminology. I don't think that really does anything for our legitimacy. In fact, I think it hurts us because it makes us look like we're copying a legitimate source to play the part of a legitimate religion.

possible paths/classes:
Guardian, Sage, Sentinel, Consular

Rosalyn J wrote: We have a lot of carryover from Christianity here at the Temple. Just look at the clergy. I am the Pastor of the Temple of the Jedi Order. There have been various discussions about changing that and some of the other names associated with the Clerical vocation.

We should call you "hierophant." :silly:

Rosalyn J wrote: I think one of the biggest questions we can ask ourselves is "what would we be missing out on if we were to drop the word "church" and what would we be gaining?"

I don't think we'd be losing much other than the "mainstream" sound of the word church. I think many western people are a little leery, or even afraid, of the word "Temple." But, on the other hand, many people see a Temple as an impressive and awe-inspiring sort of place. Basically, I think "church" has more cachet and that's about it.