Jediism - Known as a "Hyper-real Religion"
Origins and Usage
According to theories of postmodernisation, the last half of the 20th century (often termed as the 'postmodern era') saw consumerism, individualisation and choice come to the forefront of Western societies via capitalism.[2][3][4] Thus religion as a part of this culture became increasingly commercial, individualised and democratized.[5] People now have more choices in religion, they can often practice it in privacy and as they wish, outside of traditional institutional boundaries.[6] Due to this change, the sociology of religion has become increasingly interested in the potential for typologization of the modes of non-institutional religion and the foundation of non-institutional religion in human nature.[6][7][8]
It has become increasingly clear that the people leaving the structures and ceremonies of traditional religions are not instantly becoming non-religious in an atheistic sense. For example, some continue ‘believing without belonging’ to a church,[6] others turn to alternative spiritualities[8] and others, as discussed by Possamai, turn to consumer based religions/spiritualties partly based on popular culture, what he calls "hyper-real religions." With hyper-real religion, elements from religions and popular culture are highly intertwined.[1] They are post-modern expressions of religion, likely to be consumed and individualised, and thus have more relevance to the self than to a community and/or congregation.[1] Thus in postmodern times, the relation between people and religion/spirituality is very fluid; if modernity brought the disenchantment of the world, as Max Weber puts it, postmodernity is re-enchanting the world through a proliferation of 'subjective myths' (myths that are relevant to the self) and through the expansion of consumerism and the internet.
Possamai explains that the concept of hyper-real religions is derived from the work of Jean Baudrillard. Baudrillard put forward that we are living in an age of hyper-reality in which we are fascinated by simulations that lack a real world referent or ‘simulcra’.[9] Possamai[10] sees these simulations as part of the popular cultural milieu, in which “signs get their meanings from their relations with each other, rather than by reference to some independent reality or standard”. With no way to “distinguish the real from the unreal”, Hyper-reality – the situation in which reality collapses – emerges. For example, we may refer to a person as being like Superman or Homer Simpson, rather than a real-life example of a hero or dunce, and theme parks represent movies or Disney creations rather than real life.[1] The fictional character and world become more real for us than the real person or real world.[11] Possamai,[1] as Geoffroy[11] puts it, ‘re-adapted’ Baudrillard’s theory by applying it to religions that are engaged with these same simulated realities. In the most obvious examples, the Church of All Worlds draws its inspiration largely from Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land, Jediism draws on George Lucas’ Star Wars mythology and Matrixism on The Matrix film franchise.[1][10] Following these ideas Possamai defined hyper-real religions as:
...a simulacrum of a religion partly created out of popular culture which provides inspiration for believers/consumers at a metaphorical level.[1]
Following critiques in the Handbook of Hyper-real Religions,[10] Possamai modifies his original[1] definition of hyper-real religions to:
A hyper-real religion is a simulacrum of a religion created out of, or in symbiosis with, commodified popular culture which provides inspiration at a metaphorical level and/or is a source of beliefs in everyday life.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper-real_Religion
Would you consider this to be an accurate description of Jediism?
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Proteus wrote: Following critiques in the Handbook of Hyper-real Religions,[10] Possamai modifies his original[1] definition of hyper-real religions to:
A hyper-real religion is a simulacrum of a religion created out of, or in symbiosis with, commodified popular culture which provides inspiration at a metaphorical level and/or is a source of beliefs in everyday life.
Would you consider this to be an accurate description of Jediism?[/quote]
I think this definition fits pretty well, but not perfectly. The part that kind of hangs me up is the reference to "a simulacrum of a religion". As I understand the meaning of "simulacrum", it means a representation or an image ... so, Jediism would by Possamai's standard would be something that resembles a religion, but isn't one.
Many Jedi don't experience their belief system this way. It is experienced as serious of a faith tradition as any of the Eastern or Abrahamic paths. So, I think Possamai's assessment is off a bit in that respect.
But he is right that it is based on commodified popular culture. Some may take that as belittling the faith, but I don't see it that way; it's actually a recognition that some of the highest values of contemporary culture are well expressed in popular modern mythology ... to the extent that some of us find inspiration in that mythology, even as we recognize it for what it is. I find that to be a life-enhancing perspective, and a positive outcome of commodification if there is to be one.
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I think the present day religions all have their degree of hyper-reality. Just as much as any nontraditional spirituality. You could say the abrahamic and buddhist faiths would be less so because of their "historical" basis. That seems subjective to me, though.. with all the discrepancies in translation and seemingly lacking scientific corroboration of the more fantastical stories. Adherents take them seriously at varying degrees. Old school paganism and the proliferation of anthropological archetypes in it may qualify as a hyper-reality for those who didn't read between the lines. The more initiated student may have understood differently the purpose of the various rituals and stories..
It seems the only difference would be actually having some deep spiritual experience. Religions are dogmas and rituals used to recreate a sort of "super-real" state in one's self. That sense of connecting deeply to something greater than yourself. So deep that it can dominate one's nature.. are they suggesting that this sort of trendy spiritualism we see today cannot inspire genuine spiritual experiences on their own?.. it just seems like semantics to me..
But this idea of hyper-reality kind of begs the question, "What IS reality?".. I think settling the question of what these experiences themselves are in an objective way would put the issue to rest.. I mean, what if we understood what happened when we died? If there's nothing after. Then a lot of this is pointless in my opinion..
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Proteus wrote: Jacob, in the TOTJO discord chat brought up the term "Hyper-real Religion", in response to religiously related education material over-using "I Statements". I recognized the term but forgot exactly what it described, so I looked it up on Wikipedia.
Wiki Summary of Hyper-real ReligionHyper-Real Religion is a sociological term coined to describe a new consumer trend in acquiring and enacting spirituality. The term was first described in the book Religion and Popular Culture: A Hyper-Real Testament by Adam Possamai.[1] The term is used to explore the intersection between post-modernity and religion/spirituality. The idea has been expanded and critiqued by a number of academics since its creation.
Origins and Usage
According to theories of postmodernisation, the last half of the 20th century (often termed as the 'postmodern era') saw consumerism, individualisation and choice come to the forefront of Western societies via capitalism.[2][3][4] Thus religion as a part of this culture became increasingly commercial, individualised and democratized.[5] People now have more choices in religion, they can often practice it in privacy and as they wish, outside of traditional institutional boundaries.[6] Due to this change, the sociology of religion has become increasingly interested in the potential for typologization of the modes of non-institutional religion and the foundation of non-institutional religion in human nature.[6][7][8]
It has become increasingly clear that the people leaving the structures and ceremonies of traditional religions are not instantly becoming non-religious in an atheistic sense. For example, some continue ‘believing without belonging’ to a church,[6] others turn to alternative spiritualities[8] and others, as discussed by Possamai, turn to consumer based religions/spiritualties partly based on popular culture, what he calls "hyper-real religions." With hyper-real religion, elements from religions and popular culture are highly intertwined.[1] They are post-modern expressions of religion, likely to be consumed and individualised, and thus have more relevance to the self than to a community and/or congregation.[1] Thus in postmodern times, the relation between people and religion/spirituality is very fluid; if modernity brought the disenchantment of the world, as Max Weber puts it, postmodernity is re-enchanting the world through a proliferation of 'subjective myths' (myths that are relevant to the self) and through the expansion of consumerism and the internet.
Possamai explains that the concept of hyper-real religions is derived from the work of Jean Baudrillard. Baudrillard put forward that we are living in an age of hyper-reality in which we are fascinated by simulations that lack a real world referent or ‘simulcra’.[9] Possamai[10] sees these simulations as part of the popular cultural milieu, in which “signs get their meanings from their relations with each other, rather than by reference to some independent reality or standard”. With no way to “distinguish the real from the unreal”, Hyper-reality – the situation in which reality collapses – emerges. For example, we may refer to a person as being like Superman or Homer Simpson, rather than a real-life example of a hero or dunce, and theme parks represent movies or Disney creations rather than real life.[1] The fictional character and world become more real for us than the real person or real world.[11] Possamai,[1] as Geoffroy[11] puts it, ‘re-adapted’ Baudrillard’s theory by applying it to religions that are engaged with these same simulated realities. In the most obvious examples, the Church of All Worlds draws its inspiration largely from Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land, Jediism draws on George Lucas’ Star Wars mythology and Matrixism on The Matrix film franchise.[1][10] Following these ideas Possamai defined hyper-real religions as:...a simulacrum of a religion partly created out of popular culture which provides inspiration for believers/consumers at a metaphorical level.[1]
Following critiques in the Handbook of Hyper-real Religions,[10] Possamai modifies his original[1] definition of hyper-real religions to:A hyper-real religion is a simulacrum of a religion created out of, or in symbiosis with, commodified popular culture which provides inspiration at a metaphorical level and/or is a source of beliefs in everyday life.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper-real_Religion
Would you consider this to be an accurate description of Jediism?
Hey Pro - I would say that one of the “joys” of at least , my own Jedi ism, is that it ... CAN... be a option or a definition like many other things we can choose. It all depends. Partly on what’s chosen and by who. Seeking character is a more difficult thing to do and even more is labeling it. Not my cup of tea. Level maker that is ... I find it neat that we as modern day Jeddist even our own labels and ideas. There was a neat “kay fabe “ idea that came out as well that makes me think of this description as well. Labels that fit almost anywhere. How do you label or name working that can be adjusted or tailored to anyone of the 7 billion individual hearts... pretty tough some days! Lol .
If I create soothing and dwell in it - does that make it constant?
I’ve read countless articles of individuals overcoming things for the better of groups of small people. Wouldn’t that be a different type of world to live in ? People just acting like people not for fame or favor but just to help.? Anyhow - I like the idea of “hyper real religion “ because then what will the hyper real religion of the hyper real religion look like? Maybe THATS Jedi ism ? Maybe it’s both ? Hmm? Thanks for the ideas and thought. I’ll be looking and keeping up with this thread if I can! Thanks
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