Donation to the Temple

Hi there,

As you mostly all know, I donated $40.00 to the Temple of the Jedi Order yesterday on behalf of the Church of Jediism.

I saw an email in my inbox this morning from Paypal - the donation has been refunded. I'd like to know why? I understand this was a 'unanimous decision of the council', however I'd like to know the reason behind this.

We gave you some money to help with the upkeep of the site, the hosting or any other charitable cause of your choosing. It was a gesture of goodwill; as I said yesterday we really do appreciate the work John and the others here at TOTJO who have made this community what it is, and that donation was given in return for all of the work everyone has done to keep this community alive. I'd hate to see the site going down because of a lack of funds.

I just can't see why anyone wouldn't want our money?

Thanks ever so much and of course, may the Force be with you.

Dear Baralfobre,

In the light of the recent events it was a majority council decision not to accept these funds. TOTJO also has managed for almost five years now thanks to Br.John`s continued kindness of funding our web site with the added help of individual donations. TOTJO will most definitely not go down as a result.

First associate treasurer and secretary

Dear Jon,

I understand and I have said that I too appreciate John's work, however I still don't see why TOTJO and John do not want any assistance. I donated another $40 today in the hope that John will accept this as a kind donation, as it was meant to be. I never said the sole purpose was for the website - it's your money now, do what you will with it.

Thanks once again for your continued kindness.

May the Force be with you,

Dear Baralfobre,

This decision is not John`s but that of the Council. John is a member of the Council, and with all due respect we ask you therefore to accept our decision. Your money will be refunded. Please let me also clarify that all donations are for the benefit of TOTJO only and not for individual members to do as they please.

Associate treasurer and secretary.

Baralfobre,

I am not on the council, I am a member, recently ask to help moderate, that has sat back and watched the posting...

I have not been available to participate in the Chats, so I have no idea what was said in those chats....

I cannot speak for the council, nor do I speak for anyone, but myself...

As has been shown, in not just this most recent exchange, but I believe the last one a couple of months ago, TOTJO and CoJ, seem to be .... at odds?

I am a member here. I cannot speak of what goes on there (CoJ). What I can say is that when you show up here, things seem to get more ....volatile...

We are all believe we are Jedi, would you agree? Intelligent conversation is always welcome... debates as well...

\"For how would I know what I believe, unless there is someone there.... telling me what it is that they believe...?\"

The overly polite thread, did give me a chuckle... I must admit...

I offer this possibility as an answer to your query of your donation...

Your timing is inappropriate... Had your donation, came at a time prior to any exchanges between you, representing CoJ, and members of TOTJO, it may have been accepted....

Now, to me anyhow, your donation seems tainted....

It is like when a person, wants to et the last 'zing' in...

Crass...

This will be my only post, I am only offering a possibility, the EC does not inform me of it's decisions or reasons...

Please accept this post in the spirit of understanding and brotherhood, I am not tryin to offend, or instigate....

Merely end the crap.

As a member of the Council, I voted to have the money refunded on several fronts. I have watched several incidents that have taken place via notices as Moderator and also emails from others within this Order. I have no problem stating my opinion as my fellow council members will attest to.

1) I have researched CoJ and oh yeah have fun researching the pseudo account, because I have already informed the CID of US Army Military that if any transactions with my name come across my account by name or what not, there will be issues handled by Uncle Sam. And let me tell you that CID doesn't joke around. I am not impressed with a \"triangle scheme\" to use such loosely sounding terms. In fact it rather >>>>ES me the FRACK OFF, and again not a good thing to do. I have never seen a \"religion\" besides Scientology that says buy our books and we guarantee in loose wording that you will gain that which you seek. I have also researched your \"founder\" and have found it to be rather.....entertaining. And I don't mean in good way. So for a contribution to come from CoJ which in my view is crackpot joke for Jediism reeks of something else.

2) This leads me to my second thought of if something smells bad it usually is bad and there not a good cup of tea. I sense alterior motives and for you to say there are none would be a lie and therefore against your own creed. There are several things in this life that we all know will happen in one form or another; death, taxes, and NOTHING IS FREE. To buy one's way into something is easy, but not here and never will be.

So here are my suggestions Barawhatever in the hell your name is, take the refund, use to make CoJ realistic and not a triangle religion, and stop trying to push your way into things that you are not ready to handle or deal with.

I make no apology for my course of words today, but just straight up. Take it as it is.

Dear all,

Thank you for your kind responses – criticism and feedback is of course required in order to improve.

Tiamat, I have explained previously that the books do not have a specific cost, but the prices listed are suggested donations. We spoke to many members of the COJ and still do regarding the training course – most of them agree with the prices and say the amount, £5.00 for each book, is “well worth it”. As for other organisations which charge for training, check out a man by the name of Master Maha. His seminars cost – quite a bit, too. But it’s worth it.

I am under the impression that there has been some sort of misunderstanding here. I am simply giving the TOTJO a small donation – not for an individual, but for the organisation that is the Temple of the Jedi Order. We pride ourselves in being able to say our money goes towards charitable causes – which is what we consider the TOTJO. We really do value the work the TOTJO does and appreciate everyone’s contribution to the Jediism community. Our way of saying thank you is by giving the TOTJO $40.

The arguments we have had over the last year or so are completely irrelevant to this donation. We do not want anything in return other than the continued existence of the Temple of the Jedi Order.
I hope this clears things up and I remind you that we donated again this morning in the hope it is not refunded.

May the Force be with you forever and always.

OK OK - points made and I feel TOTJO has clearly made its point on the source of this donation.

May I suggest if you feel the money burning a hole so to speak - donate it to someone who really needs it - I dunno, GOSH, Cancer Research, UNICEF, STCF, Shelterbox, RSPCA, RNLI - whoever.

That is all im willing to say in public on this particular matter

MTFBWY - A

For the sake of argument in this post let's set aside all issues current and past except the couple that are the ultimate deal-breakers for me.

Except for Training Book 1, a student must pay for further training. I live in the Bible Belt of Southeast Texas and there is almost more churches than people. There is even a real Buddhist Temple in a nearby city. If someone wants to join a church and receive instruction there is no charge. A person may donate if they can afford it and want to. I do not have any problem with charging for a printed version or reminding people that the organization operates thanks to the kind donations of members but a mandatory charge for an eBook that is necessary for training is absolutely not Jediism.

There is no substance on the site. Where is a Creed? Where is a

What We Believe

? etc. Believe me you can go to the Mormon's site and though they are hardly an online church you get vast information about who they are and what they believe (for example). We do a pretty good job of that here too.

Compare the information on our public Front Page to their's.

My personal opinion of the Book of Jism 1 = gobbledygook.

Dear Kana,

We do not feel the money is 'burning a hole' as you said. We already have links with Unicef, Oxfam, CLIC Sargent, the American Red Cross, the NSPCC and many other charities to whom we donate as we feel they are benefiting the society.

However, there are not many organisations in existence which focus on the Jediism community and so we feel it is important that the few that are around receive enough funding to cover their own costs and that they can support their own cause.

The TOTJO may not need $40 right now, so maybe save it until a time comes when you could do with $40? I am not the treasurer of the TOTJO, so it is up to you guys - this was merely a suggestion.

May the Force be with you,