Important Beliefs of Jediism

I am a Jediist.

MTFBWY.

Angelus is saying what we all feel. We don't recognize Holyhead as being a church, having anything to do with Jediism and your being a Jedist, Jediist, Real Jedi or whatever word game you play.

For the last time: \"The day before they left for the tour, at a barbeque in Daniel’s garden, his older brother Barney brought some Jedi sermons that he had printed from Jedi websites [those sites were TOTJO and TOTJF] and they decided to hold a small service during which Daniel and Barney created their Jedi names. Because Daniel kept forgetting his, he wrote in on a piece of paper and put it in the back pocket of his jeans, then left for the tour. He arrived back home after his incredible experience in the US and was unpacking when he came across the small bit of paper with his Jedi name. Though the tour had gone well, it was now October 2007 and Daniel was back home with no money and in need of a job. Happily, the tour van driver, Dave, was working in a hardware store and offered to try to help Daniel get a job there. Though it was a long shot, Daniel applied and got the job, where he met fellow Star Wars enthusiast, Jonar Magwy. Daniel mentioned the idea of starting a Jedi church, and Jonar jumped on board. Daniel, Barney and Jonar started a web site, www.jedi-church.com, and set about gathering the other Jedi of the world to their cause.\"

They just dressed up in Jedi costumes and self proclaimed themselves Jediist without even bothering to read the Creed, Code, Doctrine or [What] Jedi Believe. They did not train. Your own dear Red Heron confirmed that it was from our site that those original sermons were copied from when he was still involved with both TOTJO and CoJ.

HMRC prefers that charity applications be done electronically and you seem to have no trouble getting on the Internet. You're quick to come up with yet another excuse at every opportunity.

Go try this over at Temple Of The Jedi Force.

Angelus is right. We cannot help unless you actually train and become a Jediist.

You know all about us by now so either join and start training or please leave us and our members alone.

Lucas does not have a trademark on religious real Jedi. His trademark is on fictional Jedi and derivatives thereof. After all he owns the trademark on Jedi Order yet you see us here still going about our business for five years now without even a peep from him and he does know about us.

THE END

baralfobre wrote:

Kana, we pay for the Paypal cut as someone has to and of course it is vital the full amount donated gets to the charity/charities.

Now, instead of criticising the Church of Jediism and our way of business, can we please turn back to the original topic, abiding by forum rules and helping us with the question - is there anything y'all specifically would like to see included in the new books?

Take it as criticism if you will - that isnt my intention - I was merely enquiring your reasons for paying paypal when donations could and should (both from yourself/CoJ and anyone who donates via you) go straight too and in its entirety to the charitable organisation in question.

So here is an idea - given your group has charitable status or whatever - toddle off to the bank and open a new business/charitable trust account, you will need to have at least two signatories so Daniel and Michael Jones (You) will do. Any donations you get for transfer to others, you simply write a check or even do a digital monies transfer - no more paypal costs to consider or hell - plan B

Put the money in your own account and then send the monies straight to the charity yourself - still no paypal and as long as your not doing anything wrong - youve nothing to worry about, it just may mean every-so-often, if asked by official, you may have to allow them access to your statements.

Or plan C as already mentioned in a previous post - ask your members to donate directly to their chosen organisations which is exactly how we do things here.

I would hope anyone calling themselves a 'Jediist' would have a little common sense, let alone financial savvy.

If you think what I put is/was criticism - well, youve not experienced much from the real world then - and if your going to assume everything i or any member of TOTJO put is aimed at you and or CoJ - then there wouldn't be any point in assisting with ideas for your book(s), or little point in you asking for our input then crying when you get it.

After all - it is you who after all, instigated the idea of some sort of coalition and its TOTJO who said for now, we didnt feel its the right time and we stand by that.

I personally feel that this thread has overall been constructive and of an assistant nature to CoJ and the various charitable organisations your claiming to help - but if you wish to deny these organisations vital funds and give the money to another group who have done sweet FA to earn it and certainly dont need it (paypal) - well, thats up to you - but personally, i'll continue giving money to the organ grinder - not the monkeys.

I once again remind you all that this thread has gone off-topic. Perhaps we should create a new thread, \"rants about the COJ\" or something to the same effect.

I am not one to speak for Daniel, but before discovering Jediism, he spent many years researching many different spiritual teachings from several sources. He has of course been looking in to different Jediism organisations, as have I, since he founded the Church. Feel free to email Daniel if you'd like to discuss his research with him. I cannot speak on his behalf.

We've already started the application process and so would only confuse things if we were to apply again electronically. Nonetheless, I shall look in to that avenue and see what we can do.

LucasFilm owns the trademark to the word 'Jedi'. That is all I have to say. You say 'THE END'. The end of what? I fail to see anything ending here I'm afraid.

Kana, I was not referring solely to your post so my apologies if you have misunderstood this. I have previously explained that one may decide to donate to use as opposed to the charities directly simply because we share the donation out to a number of charities, if requested by the donor. Otherwise, you'll have to speak to some members who have donated to ask them why they donated to us.

You said we are 'claiming to help' charities. If you require proof of our association, I'll gladly email you over a few documents. Please use the contact form on our site, www.churchofjediism.org.uk/contact.html and I shall reply personally for you.

I also remind you that the only time we ask for donations for organisations other than the COJ is on the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund page - yes, just one page of our website. Other than that, there are only I think it's two donate buttons on the website. Our policy states we prefer members to donate their time to volunteer as opposed to donating to the COJ. I'm surprised I didn't tell you this beforehand.

May the Force be with you both.

Do you understand that anyone wanting to help would have by now? Clearly you don't get that this was never about your training manuals. I have no intention of helping with your church, and I think everyone else's response to your post indicates that they have no intention of helping you either.

Im sorry Angelus but htat simply is not the case - ive sent them a roll of black garbage sacks for their training material or in case Lord Vader needs to pay them yet another visit and has no cape (or anywhere to put his empty beer cans) or in case they require new hoods

Sorry - I couldnt resist that

As far as im concerned, thread closed.

MTFBWY - A

I happen to agree with Kana and Angelus - the flexibility of our system of apprenticeship allows for a more personally-tailored experience. The Initiate's Programme is a great foundation for study which can then be built upon. Personally, when I am guided into settiong assignment, I keep in mind what I consider to be the essential qualities of Knighthood and Jediism - what historical lessons can be studied and learned from, which books offer relevant guidance, what qualities can be explored by the individual, etc. So while a set programme could cover much of this, every person is different and needs attention in their own way.

MTFBWY

I think what baral is referring to is that his organization didn't call itself Jediism or jediist before. They had to change the name because Lucas ltd. did not want them to make money by using the word \"jedi\". It happened to other businesses, not just CoJ. Fortunately totjo is not a business, that's why we can keep jedi in the name.

I fail to understand how and or why Lucas got the trademark/copyright on a 'word' in the first place.

There are plenty of theories as to where the name 'Jedi' came from - and one of the more interesting ones is that its based on an ancient hebrew word for 'Jew'

That aside - If baral's claims about the moneys of their books going to charity and are not profit - that would negate any copyrights I would think

Anyway - we wnt be getting an 'official' response from CoJ on this matter so I think its a case of 'let sleeping dogs lay'

MTFBWY - A

PS - Im sure lucas has bigger fish to fry than a small group in wales who probably sell 1 or 2 books a year.

Most of what has needed to be said has been said already.

I just wanted to mention if you are writing new books and re-structuring your training course over at the COJ and you wanted input from other “Jediist” communities wouldn’t it be prudent to let those communities view the current material so that they can have an educated input?

If you really wanted good input on the material you should have linked the material you wish assistance with so they can help you improve it.

Part of the bafflement that I think many can see here is if the COJ is what it claims to be isn’t it odd to ask other communities for their insight into your organization? This implies that your organization doesn’t know what they believe so it is looking for our input so we can help you rebuild your training of your organization.

Have you ever heard of the Catholic Church asking the Mormons, Muslims, Protestants or any other faith for input on their order's training? Does that not sound odd to you?