Questions that have crossed my mind about Jediism

I had a few questions and forgive if it they are a bit long. xD

1. What are the main goals of Jediism? What is it's view on the Force or is it up to the individual to decide?

2. What are it's views on marriage?

3. Do Jedi here believe in telekinesis? If so, do they practice it? I hear some have practiced or at least have an interest in it. do they believe in any spiritual or mind powers?

4. What are it's views on other religions and can you be both a Jedi and belong to another faith?

5. Do any practice any form of hypnosis? I know real Jedi don't emulate the Jedi from the films in every single way, but aside from telekinesis, it reminds of when the Jedi use the Jedi Mind Trick and how helps get them out of sticky situations.

6. What martial art do Jedi here usually do?

7. What are the views on the afterlife? Is there a specific realm or do they wander as spirits, guiding and watching over others?

8. Are there any physical Jedi temples in any part of the world?

9. If the believe there's a dark side, how does one sense it?

10. How can you tell if someone is strong in the Force?

Hope it wasn't too long. These are questions I and my friends had and wondered if anyone who knew Jediism could help answer these.

1. There aren't any. Particular communities might have statements of missions but evenso, the members individually would often have goals of their own - or not.

2. Jediism has nothing to say on the topic of marriage. Jediist marriage ceremonies are not unheard of, but whether it is a worthwhile insitution, whether it should be at all changed or kept is not something Jediism has particular comments on. Again, individual Jedi might.

3. Not generally speaking. Some believe in that sort of thing, arguably a larger fraction than among the general population, but it is not an intrinsic part of the entirety of Jedi philosophy.

4. At TOTJO the general view is that yes, one can be part of another religion and Jedi simultaneously. This is again, not covered by either the code or the maxims, so I don't think there is a consensus on this.

5. I suppose some do. Some have done it prior to becoming Jedi, others might have started it while being one or even because of being one. It's not required nor explicitly recommended, so it is a purely individual thing and can only on an individual level be said to be tied to Jediism.

6. I don't think we had a poll on that, though it would surprise me if the mix didn't show any sort of pattern. At any rate, martial arts are, again, not a necessary part of the philosophy. Many don't practice any, and some who practice don't do it because of their identity as Jedi.

7. Again, no consensus here. Some believe in specific realms, usually because of other religions they practice or grew up with, others don't believe in an afterlife, still others think of death as the final reunion with the universe that spawned them. None of it is strictly implied by universally accepted doctrine.

8. None that we know of. I suppose some local communities might have marked a place or even a building of gathering but that's as far as I'm willing to speculate.

9. I don't know, ask a wizard. In all seriousness though, if there was a way of identifying what essentially amounts to auras on any reliable level, James Randi would've gotten a million dollars poorer twice over and it wouldn't remain such a laughing stock in the eyes of everybody too young to remember witch hunts.

10. By just making it up, I guess. Again, no actual mechanism to it. See #9.

Before I answer any of the questions I will let you know that pretty much everyone who responds to this will give you a different answer as Jediism is very personal. I would describe it as inclusive, individualistic, personal, open, etc.

1. My goals with Jediism are to become a better person and help others. My view of the Force is that it is an energy field that surrounds and penetrates all things in the universe and binds them together.

2. If you want to get married get married. End of discussion.

3. I've heard of a few that believe in it but there aren't many here, or at least very few that are vocal about it. I've never been convinced that it can be done, but I wouldn't say no to having those kinds of abilities. :laugh:

4. You absolutely can be a Jedi and belong to another religion. Jediism being as personal as it is can be adapted to fit into almost any other religion. I, for instance, still identify as a Christian Jedi.

5. We have discussions about subtle manipulation but nothing close to the Jedi Mind Trick. Usually our discussions about manipulation are about how the media and advertisers are manipulating people. We generally don't encourage that sort of thing.

6. Whichever ones they want if they even want to. I have studied/am studying aikido, kenbujutsu, muay thai kickboxing, bojutsu, sanbo, escrima, Jeet Kun Do, and even Tae Kwan Do (although I don't admit to that often ).

7. That varies as widely as the Jedi here do. One prevailing theory seems to be that our life energy, which is made up of the Force to start with, returns back to the Force and our consciousness as we understand it now ceases to exist. We are then one with the Force in a way that we cannot be now.

8. I don't think so. We talk about it a lot. Usually a new person starts a thread about it every three months or so. Right now we are too spread out to really make a permanent structure worth the time, effort, and money. Maybe someday though.

9. I do not believe that there is a Dark Side of the Force, just a Dark Side of people. The Force simply is, it is not good, it is not bad. People can be good and can be bad, but even that is relative.

10. That depends on what strong with the Force means. If you mean another Jedi then you might be able to "sense" it, but mostly it comes from watching.

1. What are the main goals of Jediism? What is it's view on the Force or is it up to the individual to decide?
to become a better person. that varies from person to person

2. What are it's views on marriage?
there is no official view, do what makes you happy. the only challenge comes from attachment..

3. Do Jedi here believe in telekinesis? If so, do they practice it? I hear some have practiced or at least have an interest in it. do they believe in any spiritual or mind powers?
some do some don't....some are more willing to take that "leap of faith", others only believe or are interested in what is quantifiable...

4. What are it's views on other religions and can you be both a Jedi and belong to another faith?
yes...

5. Do any practice any form of hypnosis? I know real Jedi don't emulate the Jedi from the films in every single way, but aside from telekinesis, it reminds of when the Jedi use the Jedi Mind Trick and how helps get them out of sticky situations.
i'm sure some may...there are many ways of doing "the jedi mind trick"...it's just a form of manipulation...diplomats do it all the time, negotiators, teachers, con men...all use mind tricks...

6. What martial art do Jedi here usually do?
some study no martial art, some study various ones...it's up to the individual...

7. What are the views on the afterlife? Is there a specific realm or do they wander as spirits, guiding and watching over others?
it varies depending upon the individual's perspectives...personally i think some stick around after death, others move on...

8. Are there any physical Jedi temples in any part of the world?
none that i know of, although there are plenty of dreams of making it a reality

9. If the believe there's a dark side, how does one sense it?
by knowing yourself...when you know yourself you can feel when the dark side is present within you...if you have good observational skills you'll be able to tell when it is present in others as well

10. How can you tell if someone is strong in the Force?
observation, and understanding....

That's pretty cool. It's good to get a general idea of what lots of the believe even though it's a very individualistic path. I heard people talked of making Jedi Temples. I think that'd be cool as it'd be a place to study, meditate and practice martial arts and abilities. I would personally like to see one but it would take some money and time. I will try and build one if I win the lottery!

These are personal opinions, and subject to change

1. What are the main goals of Jediism? What is it's view on the Force or is it up to the individual to decide?
In both inner and outer domains of existence within ones environment; self improvement, manifestation of wisdom/happiness and desire to help others find the same.

2. What are it's views on marriage?
Same as everything else probably, to be mindful of it and work towards improving it for all involved.

3. Do Jedi here believe in telekinesis? If so, do they practice it? I hear some have practiced or at least have an interest in it. do they believe in any spiritual or mind powers?
Some might.

4. What are it's views on other religions and can you be both a Jedi and belong to another faith?
Yes.

5. Do any practice any form of hypnosis? I know real Jedi don't emulate the Jedi from the films in every single way, but aside from telekinesis, it reminds of when the Jedi use the Jedi Mind Trick and how helps get them out of sticky situations.
Some might, but that is a slippery slope. Non-verbal communication and suggestion is a less direct way to try and influence someone rather then trying to actually hypnotize them, but IMO that stuff is just in the movies and not really practical beyond being tools to better understand and communicate with others.

6. What martial art do Jedi here usually do?
None here as its a legal issue with liability etc AFAIK, so its an individual thing, as it probably should be - to suit an individual and ones circumstances.

7. What are the views on the afterlife? Is there a specific realm or do they wander as spirits, guiding and watching over others?
Open to interpretation, but many associate death as an illusion of cessation which masks a transformation, transference, or revelation of a hidden nature which might live on after death.

8. Are there any physical Jedi temples in any part of the world?
It's often said the temple is within, or the temple is actual perception itself such that wherever you are it is seen as sacred by its embodied 'Force', and failing that ones home can be a more practical temple... but none that I know of in the context of dedicated physical structure designed and run to support Jediism specifically.

9. If the believe there's a dark side, how does one sense it?
It's impact beyond ones self. We all can struggle inside with problems, but its how they are expressed which really determines how others will perceive ones nature in this regard - just because its more tangible and has consequences.

10. How can you tell if someone is strong in the Force?
The measure of compassion IMO. It's easy being 'bad' and breaking rules is just cheating because you cant succeed within the rules.

Good answers for sure. Does anyone know which country has the highest amount of Jedi like USA, England, ect.

Going by the members of this forum, probably the US followed by the UK...

A better question might be where is the highest concentration of Jedi. If the US has way more Jedi than England does but we're all spread out it doesn't mean much in comparison.

Goken wrote: A better question might be where is the highest concentration of Jedi. If the US has way more Jedi than England does but we're all spread out it doesn't mean much in comparison.

Well I only asked which country had more Jedi but ok. I guess no one would know which has the highest concentration of Jedi. I would figure it'd be one of the English cities.

We actually have a map here - TOTJO Map It's voluntary and only of Totjo people so it's by no means a complete "here are all the Jedi" map, but it's a start.

There's also the list here - Jedi List . It's also voluntary but includes some non-totjo Jedi so it might also help.

Just to help give you an idea.

1. What are the main goals of Jediism? What is it's view on the Force or is it up to the individual to decide?
To live by the Jedi Path. The Jedi Path isn't about you, it's about what you can do for the world around you by improving you.

2. What are it's views on marriage?
Find a partner that you can have a healthy relationship with, live your life. If you need help because things turn badly, seek it out. Etc, etc. Really we don't have anything concrete like "Thou shalt not divorce!"

3. Do Jedi here believe in telekinesis? If so, do they practice it? I hear some have practiced or at least have an interest in it. do they believe in any spiritual or mind powers?
I'm just going to leave this here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHElJ6jj4Ks

4. What are it's views on other religions and can you be both a Jedi and belong to another faith?
Absolutely, I'm Christian Jedi, there are many Pagan Jedi, and we even have Atheists Jedi. Actually ToTJO is unique in the fact that we have forums to help people better explore those areas of our lives through the Jedi Path. It's allowed elsewhere, but nothing quite as organized.

5. Do any practice any form of hypnosis? I know real Jedi don't emulate the Jedi from the films in every single way, but aside from telekinesis, it reminds of when the Jedi use the Jedi Mind Trick and how helps get them out of sticky situations.
Very few do, but we have at least one that I can think of off the top of my head.

6. What martial art do Jedi here usually do?
Up to the individual, though it seems to be a better received as "Choose a Defense Art" which spans all sorts of areas, to include those which are physically non-combative in nature (an example being that you become a lawyer, or you can even find it through journalism, art, etc)

7. What are the views on the afterlife? Is there a specific realm or do they wander as spirits, guiding and watching over others?
Varies from person to person based on their experiences, and sometimes based on their primary faith. Not all who are Jedi ascribe to it as their religion.

8. Are there any physical Jedi temples in any part of the world?
No, but we do have offline meetings, some more regular than others.

9. If the believe there's a dark side, how does one sense it?
Some believe in a dark side, some believe it is a facet of society's understanding for right and wrong, but isn't inherent in "the Force". If you can't tell, we're quite flexible.

10. How can you tell if someone is strong in the Force?
What RyuJin said

I had another question when it came to moral absolutes as it talks about what Jedi believe. It says:

"A Jedi believes In the ethic of reciprocity, and how moral concepts are not absolute but vary by culture, religion and over time."

Now what exactly is that supposed to mean? Moral concepts are not absolute? Maybe some are not and vary with time and cultures but some certainly are such as the murder of innocents, stealing (whether it is ok in your "culture" or not), abusing other people in various forms especially children and old people. Just because these things have been allowed doesn't mean they were ever ok. That one is far too vague and open to interpreting however one wishes.

I think the ones you listed are covered by the Ethic of Reciprocity.

The second part covers things like age that one can sign a contract. The "age of consent" is not the same in every state (USA), let alone every country or during every period. There was a time when it was acceptable for teens to get married. As 40 is no longer considered to be old, this no longer looked upon favorably in western cultures, as life expectancy is now more than twice as long.

I do agree that interpretation of this is not as lenient as some of the other parts of the doctrine, but I think it is more about being aware of how society and its beliefs can change over time rather than just saying "society says it's okay, so it's okay".

Every angle/thought/action/idea/etc cannot be covered no matter how hard we try...

And, you have pulled specific examples, should you wish to discuss how these specific points can be seen and discussed, then that can be done as well...

But, let me take a swing at it..

Now what exactly is that supposed to mean? Moral concepts are not absolute?

Your next statement allows that not all are absolute, correct?

Maybe some are not and vary with time and cultures

So, not all... Murder?

but some certainly are such as the murder of innocents

Who is the innocent you refer? I will take a guess, and assume you mean children?

I think we all agree...

Moving on...

, stealing (whether it is ok in your "culture" or not)

Well, again, ideally, you are correct...

But, I have stolen, and felt bad, paid for my crimes, and been stolen from... A little Karma perhaps? lol...

Being stolen from certainly put things in perspective... lol...

But, I doubt any here would say stealing is good...

, abusing other people in various forms especially children and old people.

Agreed!!

Dang if we are not just moving along!!



Not being snotty, or passive agressive, I am just goofy...

Just because these things have been allowed doesn't mean they were ever ok. That one is far too vague and open to interpreting however one wishes.

I think you are looking at it to narrowly..

How about:

Being gay?
Being black/white/Asian/Spanish?
Donating blood?
The whole vax/antivax argument?
Burkas?
Guns control rights?

Anyone else?

Every one of these, and tons more, are subject to a some type of culture...

If the front page says a Jedi believes so and so, it doesn't actually mean that any specific ones or all Jedi in this place or any other do. This gets back to what I said about mission statements. Yes, many sites have those, but what any one given member believes on any given issue may vary and nobody is expelled for disagreeing with any part of the "official" doctrine.

As for the question of moral absolutes, since this is one that never takes a month to come up all over again, you will find that most disagreement people in a cultural circle have over this is purely semantical. For instance, I reject the notion of absolute morality at any level, because I understand the word absolute to mean just that: absolute - absolved from consideration pertaining to it in any form, including any and all justificatory reasoning or any other discussion or criticism; and I happen to refuse to acknowledge any thought's absoluteness of this sort. Of course, the line you quote goes on to qualify that it means that morality is a matter of cultural context, and here the bit I'd object to is what the word morality even means. If they mean the set of ethics any society abides by, then yes, those do vary with time and culture, however we might feel about that fact in the meantime. To say that something is not strictly right or strictly wrong, however, just because somebody somewhere didn't think of it the way we did, I find is taking it too far, or seeing it too narrowly, if you will. On the other hand, saying that any given action, like physically tormenting minors for one's own delight over their cries of agony, is wrong irrespective of cultural context, doesn't in my view make it wrong "absolutely", because there actually are valid reasons why we find it so objectionable and it is not just a matter of some inherent and undebatable properties of the universe.
I think what the line means to say is that people may come from different backgrounds and have different opinions on things and while we cannot be required to condone, let alone embrace all of them, we ought not presume what is on somebody else's mind before we actually attempt finding out what is... Come to think of it, that sounds very ironic indeed, seeing how it is worded in a way that is itself presuming what every Jedi believes on this issue, effectively violating the thing it is supposed to establish. Go figure