Sithism

Alethea Thompson wrote: If you're lineage doesn't come from Darth Moor (the first head of the Dark Aspect dating back to 1998) you simply are not a Sith.

Interesting opinion!!!! I disagree, but I applaud your commitment to your particular community.

Alethea Thompson wrote:
Adder- yes, as a matter of fact there is a very strict understanding of the Sith Path. They, unlike the Jedi, DO NOT accept anyone that walks in the door. Only a select few get to actually refer to themselves as Sith, all others are looked at as role-players or wannabes. The Sith Community has come to accept only two orders as teaching what it really means to be a Sith, the rest are considered faux. If you're lineage doesn't come from Darth Moor (the first head of the Dark Aspect dating back to 1998) you simply are not a Sith.
/

Wow, that goes beyond selective to ridiculous. Trace it back to that one guy, huh? I had a professor in undergrad who was taught by John Nash of 'A Bueatiful Mind' fame, does that legitimize my work in game theory? Of course not.

That rigidity is most unwise.

Adder: Ummm..... I probably need to make it very clear what my path is: I am a Jedi Realist, not a Sith Realist. I am relaying on the information to you that the Sith have shared with me.

The fact that they all can trace their lineage to Moor does not mean that the path has not evolved, in fact it has taken a number of directions in the past ("dark" witchcraft to Kabballah, eventually getting to where it is today). The fact that it traces back to Moor isn't even something that was intentional- the simple fact is: no other group has been able to match the development that those who come from FA (Draconis started Order of the Sith, however learned from FA first) have acheived.

Alethea Thompson wrote: V-Tog:

I won't even lie, the only two Sith Boards that matter are FA and Order of the Sith to the Sith Community. Most everyone else are fakes. Now I did find one that looks promising (oddly enough, I found him investigating a guy that was put on probation because he was following an out-dated form of Sithism without direction from the guy that originally taught it [the teachings are such a thin-line that it is easy to mistake them and head the wrong direction]). It's called Order of the Sith Lords. The founder at least seems legit. But I don't really know enough about the group to make a full assessment.

:laugh: Fascinating. Then there is Darth Moor... well you live and learn. Good thing someone knows what they are talking about.

Alethea Thompson wrote: Angelus:

Then you need to take care exactly what you say. As Andy has pointed out, you do speak on behalf of ToTJO now that you have the "knight" rank. If you are not sure about the policies, then don't comment on them before asking for clarification from those higher than you.

Let's put it this way, everything I said in the Army is a direct reflection of the Army to outside personnel. If someone talked with me about the legalities of the UCMJ (I was an MP) then anything I said was "law", despite the fact that legally I couldn't tell you anything beyond pulling out a UCMJ and reading something back to you as it was written. The only people that could legally do that stuff was JAG (most people don't know this). Did (as this was my job for 8 1/2 years) I speak for the entire MP Corps? Reasonably, no- but because the Army entrusted me to be one, then by the understanding I had with the Army, yes.

Because you are now a full fledged member of the ToTJO team, entrusted to train the next group, you do (in fact) speak for ToTJO. You have no excuses at this point. It's the responsibility of your rank.

I tried explaining TotJO's position on Sithism as best as I could, and in that regard, I think I helped Andy to reach some kind of understanding.

But I am not a teacher until I take on a student. I am not a member of the Council, and I don't write the policies. And while my qualifications allow me to educate here, I carry no position that grants me any real authority, so I do NOT speak for TotJO.

Who are you to tell me how a Knight should behave, and then expect me to comply with the responsibilities that neccessitate your claims? I concede the point that I represent the Order, but I have no power or authority here, and can really only speak from experience. I am not the voice of the Temple or the Council. My tolerance for these digressions notwithstanding, should you continue to launch into tirades against me, I'll just stop answering you. This is a discussion on Sithism that has, as far as i'm concerned, been settled. This shouldn't be a discussion about how you think a moderately high-ranking member should act.

I'm a Dark Apprentice and Sith Student but I'd gladly offer any advice onto the dark side if possible. I'm here to learn from you, why can't the inverse be done? I know Master Khaos is here and he's definitely one to talk to, especially on the Path of Conflict.

I've said it before and I will repeat it, until the Light Orders have an actual idea of the real dark side, you'll never know how to approach us.

FraterDavid wrote: Further evidence that the Sith way is diametrically opposed to that of the Jedi is in their Code itself. The very first line says, "Peace is a lie." It doesn't even say "There is no peace", it actually uses the accusatory word, "lie". Now, why would they be singling out peace as a lie, if not in antagonistic response to the first line of the Jedi Code?

In the fiction it's originally a twisting of the Jedi Code, and the ORIGINAL Sith Code was a far more direct twist on the Jedi Code. The standard code now is the one devised by Bioware for the Knights of the Old Republic games. Now, you don't want to enter into this conversation with the Sith because the first and last thing we do in our foundation assignments is define the code. I take "Peace is a lie" to mean that peace cannot last in our lives. There will inevitably be conflict.

Andy Spalding wrote: Despite this site's kicking and screaming against admitting they do judge who and who is not jedi

We don't kick and scream. We do our thing and... ignore everyone else.

Angelus wrote:

Alethea Thompson wrote: Angelus:

Then you need to take care exactly what you say. As Andy has pointed out, you do speak on behalf of ToTJO now that you have the "knight" rank. If you are not sure about the policies, then don't comment on them before asking for clarification from those higher than you.

Let's put it this way, everything I said in the Army is a direct reflection of the Army to outside personnel. If someone talked with me about the legalities of the UCMJ (I was an MP) then anything I said was "law", despite the fact that legally I couldn't tell you anything beyond pulling out a UCMJ and reading something back to you as it was written. The only people that could legally do that stuff was JAG (most people don't know this). Did (as this was my job for 8 1/2 years) I speak for the entire MP Corps? Reasonably, no- but because the Army entrusted me to be one, then by the understanding I had with the Army, yes.

Because you are now a full fledged member of the ToTJO team, entrusted to train the next group, you do (in fact) speak for ToTJO. You have no excuses at this point. It's the responsibility of your rank.

I tried explaining TotJO's position on Sithism as best as I could, and in that regard, I think I helped Andy to reach some kind of understanding.

But I am not a teacher until I take on a student. I am not a member of the Council, and I don't write the policies. And while my qualifications allow me to educate here, I carry no position that grants me any real authority, so I do NOT speak for TotJO.

Who are you to tell me how a Knight should behave, and then expect me to comply with the responsibilities that neccessitate your claims? I concede the point that I represent the Order, but I have no power or authority here, and can really only speak from experience. I am not the voice of the Temple or the Council. My tolerance for these digressions notwithstanding, should you continue to launch into tirades against me, I'll just stop answering you. This is a discussion on Sithism that has, as far as i'm concerned, been settled. This shouldn't be a discussion about how you think a moderately high-ranking member should act.

Angelus wrote:

Angelus wrote: The TotJO instructors are required to abide by certain training regulations

And those are?

Something you'll be made aware of when you are in a position to take an apprentice here.

Thank you Angelus. It is indeed not the place of a Novice or a Guest to tell a Knight how Knights are to behave. I commend you for keeping your calm in this matter and providing thorough explanations.

Who am I, indeed,

The person that has enough respect for theorganizations I am a part of, or have significant vested time in, to recognize what weight my voice carries in representing them, regardless of my position (as low as simply being a member). I expect the same from anyone which calls themselves a knight, and as such, will voice it when someone decides thay need are not "worthy" enough to represent their organization.

Trust me, you are far from the first person I have told this too, and will not be the last. Honor your order, and honor the rank they have bestowed upon you, by realizing you carry more weight now that they have entrusted you with the responsibilities of being a Jedi Knight.

Also, I don't actually want you to respond, I want you to chomp on it.

I recognize with perfect clarity what I am, and what you think I should do. But there are other people here more dedicated and interested in being active authorities on Temple life.

But by your own idea, you shouldn't be making these posts at all; for while my rank requires a higher level of commitment and responsibility (as you say), it should also afford me the respect that comes with that burden. You have disrespected me by calling me out in the forum with your non sequitur tirade against my character and apparent lack of responsibility, but you are in no position to decide what my responsibilities are. I think all Catholics should love and embrace everyone, but many use the bible to justify, for example, homophobia, which is something I have faced personally.

You're looking for validation in your own efforts here and wherever else you "vest" your time into, but this is NOT any other site. An ADMINISTRATOR or a MODERATOR has responsibilities regarding the construction and enforcement of our policies; my responsibilities lie solely in training the next generation, and practicing the Jedi way. In answering Andy's questions, and being tolerant enough to address your criticisms, I have satisfied both of those obligations.