Rank Names and Are They Important

Figured I'd start a new thread to avoid smothering the Temple improvement one. I'll take a moment to collect my thoughts on the difference between Guest and Member to me, and then post.

Yes and No.

We have a name system, it identifies where people are at in their studies.

Whether you like the names or not (I believe I've discussed changing them to Rogue Squadron Callsigns. No one wanted to be Red 5) - they sufficiently indicate where people are up to in their studies.

We can add all the arbitrary "steps" you like - it just means more names to keep track of them all.

Anyway, fairly sure this is lesson 0 of the IP.

If you feel anyone below the rank of Initiate (ie- Has not completed the IP) shouldn't get to participate in the forum or call themselves a member of ToTJO - Feel free to ignore my posts (Actually, feel free to not reply to this thread at all, because it was created by a Novice who has not completed the IP, and thus beneath you)

Carry on

Ok. Maybe I'm hung up on denotations of words, but words (particularly written) are pretty much what this Temple is made of.

To me, no matter what others may actually like, "guest" means "belonging somewhere else." You're a guest in the Temple. We welcome you, we feed you, you learn.... But ultimately you are not *of* the Temple.

And "member" means "yes, welcome home, you belong, it's ok to relax now." It's the belonging part that really matters. And I think it's possible to belong without fully grokking what it is to be a Jedi.

As a guest I felt timid, not sure if it was ok to speak up in forums and, to a lesser degree, the chat. As a member I feel like my input is welcome and valued.

Not because of how I'm treated, but because of what the words mean

I'm a novice who has completed the IP but has not yet hit "initiate" because I haven't hit the 60 minimum requirement before you can become an initiate. I finished my IP quick because I was out of work for a week due to a back injury and was able to do a lot of lessons then. I've been here shy of two months but feel like I've contributed enough that I SHOULD already be an initiate but there are rules and we have to follow them. I really don't mind that either, lol.

I personally don't see an issue with the ranks. I think they are fair as they are but that's just me. Also, I've had Knights tell me that I shared wisdom that made them see things differently or that they have learned something from what I've said. A rank is just a title.....a novice may be just as versed in Jediism as a Master for all we know (not me though, haha).

ReallyRiver wrote: Ok. Maybe I'm hung up on denotations of words, but words (particularly written) are pretty much what this Temple is made of.

To me, no matter what others may actually like, "guest" means "belonging somewhere else." You're a guest in the Temple. We welcome you, we feed you, you learn.... But ultimately you are not *of* the Temple.

And "member" means "yes, welcome home, you belong, it's ok to relax now." It's the belonging part that really matters. And I think it's possible to belong without fully grokking what it is to be a Jedi.

As a guest I felt timid, not sure if it was ok to speak up in forums and, to a lesser degree, the chat. As a member I feel like my input is welcome and valued.

Not because of how I'm treated, but because of what the words mean

Well, if as a Guest you cannot relax, we're pretty terrible hosts. :silly:

Thanks for answering my question. As a follow up question, do you think you would have felt more at home if, upon creating your account here, you would have immediately been a "Member" (rather than just a "Guest")?

vladucard wrote: A rank is just a title.....a novice may be just as versed in Jediism as a Master for all we know (not me though, haha).

I believe that "rank" is not a measure of "how far along the path" you are, but rather, the level of commitment to the Temple, which in turn is "paid" back in terms of how much leadership trusts you with rank. Which is why I would personally read with care anything regardless of whether they are a Councillor or a Knight or a Guest. But I probably wouldn't give someone who has been around a couple of weeks moderating rights.

Manu wrote: As a follow up question, do you think you would have felt more at home if, upon creating your account here, you would have immediately been a "Member" (rather than just a "Guest")?

I like the 7 day wait. Perhaps even 14. Or one short and sweet lesson. Because I did feel like I'd "earned" membership, even if it was really simple for me.

Manu wrote:

vladucard wrote: A rank is just a title.....a novice may be just as versed in Jediism as a Master for all we know (not me though, haha).

I believe that "rank" is not a measure of "how far along the path" you are, but rather, the level of commitment to the Temple, which in turn is "paid" back in terms of how much leadership trusts you with rank. Which is why I would personally read with care anything regardless of whether they are a Councillor or a Knight or a Guest. But I probably wouldn't give someone who has been around a couple of weeks moderating rights.

I agree, I wouldn't either! And, yes, the rank does show dedication but I've noticed some people are quick to dismiss those of lower rank. I've never had any issues myself though, but I have seen it

vladucard wrote: I've noticed some people are quick to dismiss those of lower rank. I've never had any issues myself though, but I have seen it

If you ever see it happening, please report it, either publicly or privately. You are really doing us a favor by helping us notice whenever we fall into the error of ignoring others' input.

To me the value of things is an opinion. How and why are up to us. As a TM here with students it maters yet in my teachings and lessons it doesn't .
This question pops in and out of the Temple. Anything can be made to label somthimg. If it's labels you seek, you will find a label. If u seek more you will find more. Here for me labels get in the way a lot of times and it takes a bit more to get over them. Worth it but I takes time. One of the wonderful things I use in my life and I try to teach here is ... If you adapt one idea that's called the no contest contest. I'm not in contest with you . You are not with me. Kinna nullify s some questions like does labels matter. After that... It's up to you HOW you use what you find , happy seeking if you seek , you will find !