Jedi and Politics?

Is this a "no bueno" subject around here?
Do we have a political stance, or do we just stay out of that circus?
Or does the Temple accept differing ideologies and discussion of such, as long as it remains civil?
I am curious.

I would completely understand if you would all rather just avoid the subject all together, because it can be rather polarizing and volatile.

However, I enjoy a healthy political discourse, as long as it is productive and beneficial, somewhat conducive to mutual understanding as apposed to inducing disparity.

That is the biggest issue I see in modern politics, the gray area that is the reality of the citizens gets tossed aside for the distracting ideological "black and white" of those with power. We are getting driven further and further apart, when we should be working together and coming to agreements on the issues that truly matter, such as the ever encroaching dangers caused by climate change.
Thoughts?

As far as I am aware, the Temple remains neutral in politics.

Though members certainly have their individual opinions on the matter (as I have witnessed from the few current and former members I have on social media haha).

I think that, so long as the opinion is informed, then the majority of mainstream (and a couple of alternative) political ideologies are all perfectly valid.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing (a prosperous society, which benefits everybody), we just don't necessarily agree on the best way to achieve that goal.

One word of caution: If we are going to begin a political debate, then I would advise that we avoid labels such as 'Conservative/Liberal/Socialist' and 'Left/Right', purely because we're an international church, and those terms can represent support for VERY different policies in different countries (ie a European 'Conservative' often has more in common with an American 'Liberal' than an American 'Conservative' these days).

I vote and have political views. I think every one does. It’s difficult to be Carlos and pastor Carlos when politics are in order or on the table. What’s even harder is to be Carlos and Modern day Jeddist all in one during these type of things. My goal is to speak OF THE FORCE never FOR it.


I don’t and try never to get into a political debate often because let’s be frank and honest - real talk most people forget values morals and even manners when debate or confrontation or even just sides are brought up. It’s a human thing I think. When talking of things like this - regardless of subject - I try to let others take their side and try to help them see why. It’s never my duty to MAKE others see the way I do. Especially in a setting like this. (Temple setting)
I know of modern day Jeddist behind that politic curtain. First hand they say you gotta be on tour “A” game when being in the public light.

From my own front porch :
Most of the political issues I see today don’t have to do with me directly.” My choices”are not on the dockets or on the news. I hope one day others have the same freedoms as me but until then I’ll keep voting and keep paying attention to what’s around me and others cus well ... I live here on earth not in a galaxy Far FAR away...

Thank you Brick and Carlos.

I personally can feel very strongly about some issues, however I find that I am more often than not, too naive and not nearly knowledgeable or experienced enough to make a mature or well-thought out decision about such things.

Not that I don't try, but I am young, and being so, am inherently limited in my comprehension of these complex issues.

I just wish everyone could get along, be loving and decent to one another, and (pointing at the U.S. Congress) actually get sh*t done.

But I will say that I am a Bernie donor and supporter. I respect the man, can't help it

It’s healthy to learn. My side as are reasesrxhed by where I live and what I want to accomplish.

Real talk:
Child education home schooling
Off gridding aka solar powers ideas laws - homesteading -

That’s where my politics lay.

Be wise - jedi are smart .
Write down that you care about and see where you politic? Worth a try right ? That’s a base at least to learn from an old man. It changes over time but that’s a good start right ?

Edit: truthfully that’s where my votes and money “support” goes so it’s worth sitting down for a few cups of tea or coffee over form me - I know a few folk who don’t but that’s ok too. Just a old man here. Smiley face!

CaesarEJW wrote: ... however I find that I am more often than not, too naive and not nearly knowledgeable or experienced enough to make a mature or well-thought out decision about such things.

I wish more of my older, politically-engaged friends adopted a similar mindset, Caesar. It is all well and good to have strong views, but conversations where at least one party is convinced their view is irrevocably correct generally lead nowhere. We have to have the ability to question our own assumptions, no matter how well read we believe ourselves to be.

"If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties." - Francis Bacon.

My overall take on things is that humanity is facing four pivotal issues that will determine the quality of our future - climate change, the ever-growing wealth gap, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, and the growing global popularity of at least some tenets of fascism. How we respond to these issues, even whether we respond to them, is imo pivotal to determining whether or not we will thrive.

Omhu Cuspor wrote: My overall take on things is that humanity is facing four pivotal issues that will determine the quality of our future - climate change, the ever-growing wealth gap, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, and the growing global popularity of at least some tenets of fascism. How we respond to these issues, even whether we respond to them, is imo pivotal to determining whether or not we will thrive.

I could not agree more!

Politics naturally flows from your worldview, so it's silly to pretend Jedi have to be apolitical (which imo 95% of the time is just lazy) or not discuss the topic.

TotJO itself doesn't have any organizational support for any parties or platforms not explicitly mentioned in the doctrine (capital punishment, freedom of expression, and equality for protected classes)

The single biggest problem with politics is that voters aren't even close to educated enough on how their governments work. People will always want more, and want politicians and lawyers to do the dirty work for them. It's far to easy to paint broad brush strokes which ignore the nuance of most discussions that occupy the public imagination.

People have all different political views here, as anywhere in life. Few mainstream political views conflict with the TOTJO doctrine. Doesn't mean people won't argue with you about it. Personally, I'm something of an anarcho-syndicalist and futurist, but that has little (if anything) to do with my belief in the Force.

Rex wrote: The single biggest problem with politics is that voters aren't even close to educated enough on how their governments work.

Amen!