This is YOUR Temple!

ren wrote:
You might want to review your history.... Jedi realist academy (dunno why people call it moodle academy, moodle was the name of the software they used ) didn't fail. They claimed there was a problem with the hosting and that somehow the domain needed replacing as well. And thus was born the IJRS. But the academy was very much alive before the switch to IJRS.

Barando is not linked to jediism.org in any way. The guy who created barando created Thejediismway.org and wasn't around when jediism.org was up. barando is a completely new project which I do not think can even be said to be related to Xhaiden's previous (post-TJW) project, jediphilosophy.net

barando and force academy are two communities which arent too keen on even using the word Jedi.... Jedi foundation/jedi academy online isn't a real community, it's just opie mcleod's site, a guy who has as much love for Jediism as your average jihadist has for "the west" for some reason.

Jedi school.... Is affiliated to UK Church of Jediism, is headed by a guy who was excommunicated by totjo.

I never said JRA failed as a group. I meant the website literally wasn't a success, so they moved it. I was there.

I'll concede the Jediism point. I forgot Jediism.org was different from thejediismway.org haha. And, Baran do actually came from Force Conclave, which was also a failure.

Nothing else you said makes any difference in the history. FA has never liked the Jedi term, but they are still part of the Jedi Community. JF is a real community, it's active and has some prosperous students. Jedi School is not (as far as I know) affiliated with UK Church... It's in Utah? Is there another Jedi School you're talking about that I'm not aware of? Or, was Red Heron affiliated with TOTJO at some point? O_O

Jestor wrote: :blush:

Whoops, 24 Apprentices...

lol...

Like I said. Monstrous activity.

NO other site even comes close.

Jedi School is not (as far as I know) affiliated with UK Church... It's in Utah? Is there another Jedi School you're talking about that I'm not aware of? Or, was Red Heron affiliated with TOTJO at some point? O_O

As I said, it is affiliated to the UK church of Jediism and its leader, Red heron, was excommunicated by totjo.

I never said JRA failed as a group. I meant the website literally wasn't a success, so they moved it. I was there.

I was there too and didn't see the website as "not working". Anyway. They never gave a proper answer as to why all of a sudden they had to drop the site and the domain name. I remember when they came up with "institute for jedi realist studies" people were perplexed... But that is of little to no importance.

And, Baran do actually came from Force Conclave, which was also a failure.

Before that it was jediphilosophy(.net I think)

FA has never liked the Jedi term, but they are still part of the Jedi Community.

How so?

JF is a real community, it's active and has some prosperous students.

I'll have to check it out again one day. It used to just be Opie (and an apprentice of his). Either way you'll never see totjo play nice with them, Opie just has too much venom when it comes to Jediism.

WOW! That's a shocker. I always figured Red was just a crazy guy spouting out psionics stuff... Good to know.

And, I'm the apprentice to the person who ran JRA, and she told me a while back that "things just weren't working". haha. So, I guess I was led to believe it was a "failure". Though, I was given a very vague explanation.

And, I'm pretty sure it was Force Conclave because I was a member there. And, suddenly they were like: "We don't like martial arts anymore..." and then Kitsu tails was like "Oh! There was this tribe called Baran Do, and they didn't use martial arts... you should rebuild your site.." and then Cypress was like: "Ohhh awesommmmmeee." hahah. And, that's how it all happened.

FA is because they are on good terms with the rest of the Community, and they contribute to it. They teach the "jedi" path, whether they call it that or not. They aren't isolationist (unless you consider the other aspects). I mean... they may not be "Jedi", but they are Community members. JUST how Knights of Awakening aren't Jedi, but they contribute to the Community.

And, while JF is alright, it CERTAINLY is very Opie-is-Master-centric.

And, I'm pretty sure it was Force Conclave because I was a member there. And, suddenly they were like: "We don't like martial arts anymore..." and then Kitsu tails was like "Oh! There was this tribe called Baran Do, and they didn't use martial arts... you should rebuild your site.." and then Cypress was like: "Ohhh awesommmmmeee." hahah. And, that's how it all happened.

I'm not denying it. but before that it was jediphilosophy.net. It was a colection of articles people could comment on, anyone could submit, etc. It was then shut down, merged with IJRS which dropped the commenting and submitting features. Xhaiden moved on to something else, then moved on to something else again... eventually ending up with barando.

Oh! Ok. Cool. Thanks for clearing all that up for me.

X is on good terms with the rest of the Community, and they contribute to it.
Y is not on good terms with the rest of the Community, and they don't contribute to it.

The more I think about statements like this, the less I think about them? What do they really mean? At first glance it seems like X is better than Y and Y should become more like X. That's not a logical or a reasonable conclusion.

Anybody see why?

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If I've been missing something then hit me on the head with a spoon and I'll eat a bug, but why don't I ever see a definition of religion offered when I see posts and articles arguing if Jedi(whatever) Force(whatever) is a religion (or not)? If we don't agree on what religion means, what in the blue fudge are we doing trying to debate it?

What about faith in The Force? How can someone say the're a non-religious Jedi but believe in The Force? Is there some scientific theory of The Force out there?

Then there's the Jedi should not be a religion argument? What's the argument? If it's been around all along and I've missed it I guess I'll have to eat another bug. It'd be worth it though to see it.

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THE FOLLY OF PLEASING ALL

by: Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Once on a Time it by Chance came to pass,
That a Man and his Son were leading an Ass.

Cries a Passenger, Neighbor, you're shrewdly put to 't,
To lead an Ass empty, and trudge it on foot.

Nay, quoth the old Fellow, if Folk do so mind us
I'll e'en climb the Ass, and Boy mount behind us:

But as they jogg'd on they were laugh't and hisse'd,
What, two booby Lubbers on one sorry Beast!

This is such a Figure as never was known;
'T is a sign that the Ass is none of your own.

Then down gets the Boy, and walks by the Side,
Till another cries, What, you old Fool must you ride?

When you see the poor Child that 's weakly and young
Forc'd thro' thick and thin to trudge it along,

Then down gets the Father, and up gets the Son;
If this cannot please them we ne'er shall have done.

They had not gone far, but a Woman cries out,
O you young graceless Imp, you'll be hang'd, no doubt!

Must you ride an Ass, and your Father that's grey
E'en foot it, and pick out the best of his Way?

So now to please all they but one Trick lack,
And that was to carry the Ass a pick pack:

But when that was try'd, it appear'd such a Jest,
It occasioned more Laughter by half than the rest.

Thus he who 'd please all, and their Good liking gain,
Shows a deal Good Nature, but labours in vain.


"He Who 'd Please All" is reprinted from Poor Richard's Almanack, 1743.

Br. John wrote: Is there some scientific theory of The Force out there?

See Initiates Program, Exercise IV - Lesson IV, with Lynn McTaggart speaking about the Field.

Though in my journal I mention that the Force, in my eyes, is beyond science as far as we are able to observe.

It seems to me, the line between "religion" and "spirituality" is located somewhere different with different people and seems to always naturally have at least slightly different definitions from person to person. Because of this, numerous things resulting from them become more variable, because of those differences, when people are discussing things that are apparently influenced by the topic in its supposed foundation.

Is buddhism a religion? Or a philosophy? Depends on who you ask.

Is Christianity more the worship of Christ as a person, or is it more the following of the morals he taught? Depends on who you ask.

This is why people who follow what they call "jediism" or anything related will have these differences and the results of their stance and behavior will always vary.

Y is never going to be like X, and as far as I feel, should never be expected to.

Proteus wrote:
Is buddhism a religion? Or a philosophy? Depends on who you ask.

And, it would be foolish to try and push them together.

Y is never going to be like X, and as far as I feel, should never be expected to.

Exactly. Brother John, you raised some interesting questions, but this is a great explanation to what I'm talking about.

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I'm gonna start a thread about a similar related question. But, I don't want to impose anymore on this topic's intended discussion.

So I see this discussion has evolved into a Jedi vs. Jediism debate...which is totally cool, please carry on. I'd just like to make a quick statement in reflection of the aftermath of my last post here. I meant no disrespect to anyone here, and for any who feel they have been disrespected, know that it was not intentional. I stand by what I said, and it was said out of compassion and concern, not out of anger or mischief. It is my hope that our community continues to strengthen and reach out, and my suggestions were designed to help that along, even if it did ruffle a few feathers.

If anyone has any additional concerns, please feel fre to PM me and I will respond as my schedule allows. Thank you.

And if it helps, I'd be happy to point out several things I love about TOTJO:

#1 - Open-mindedness. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or anything like that. It is so rare, and so refreshing to see such an open community that is also religious in nature.

#2 - Friendliness. When I first joined TOTJO last year, I was warmly greeted by several members, and the longer I stayed, the more I got to know the rest of the community and how friendly and helpful everyone is here.

#3 - Sanctuary. If this where a physical place with different rooms for the varying discussions, I know I would always be able to find a home somewhere in here depending on how I'm doing and what I'm aiming to discuss. I feel very safe here, very at home, less distant than most internet communities.

#4 - Resources. I am so thankful at how much the temple has been able to provide me on my spiritual journey. There is always something new to learn here, a new book to read or course to take.

#5 - A Fresh Start. TOTJO let me reboot my life and rekindle my love of what I once called God. It didn't matter where I came from or how lost I was when I arrived: TOTJO let me try again, and helped me along as I rediscovered my faith.

I hope no one thinks I have nothing good to say about TOTJO. This is a great place, guys. We are blessed.