What it is that is our Mission.

It seems I have stumbled into a greatly disputed section of our Faith.
Let me first say that I am a Jedi. This title means that I follow the path of the Light side of the force. As stated in our doctrine, Jedi Believe:

In the inherent worth of every person. People are worthy of respect, support, and caring just because they are human.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.

Jedi Believe: In working towards a culture that is relatively free of discrimination on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, national origin, degree of ability, age, etc.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.

Jedi Believe: In the sanctity of the human person. We oppose the use of torture and cruel or unusual punishment

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.

Jedi Believe: In the importance of democracy within religious, political and other structures.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.

Jedi Believe: In the importance of individual believers determining evil influences and policies within their chosen faith group, and advocate for their correction.

This particular belief is especially important to me. Without identifying what may be negative influences within, you allow rabbits to live and thrive in your garden, eating and destroying your crop.

I simply do not agree with the idea that one can grow in the Force by an attempt to understand the Dark side in any other way than that which is taught by our own doctrine in the way of \"7. Jedi are mindful of the negative emotions which lead to the Dark Side: Anger, Fear, Aggression, and Hate. If we sense these emotions manifesting within ourselves, we must meditate on the Jedi Code and focus on purging these destructive emotions.\"

Purging does not mean allowing to come to fruition in order to better understand. Purging means to eliminate. And through our ability to eliminate it within ourselves we will be able to withstand and eliminate it elsewhere. This is how we learn and understand the Darkside. any other way is a deviation from the Path of the Light, which is the path of Peace.

I'm curious how you know what the dark side does and does not allow, if you have/will not study or walk the path? I do not claim to be an expert by any means, I'm just curious where your information comes from. Is there a \"Jedi guide to the dark side\" book somewhere that I'm missing? I think maybe you should work to understand it, before you work to combat it. By fighting that which you do not understand, you fight more with yourself than that which you wish to battle. Good luck on your journey brother, hopefully you will be a better Jedi because of it.

Dhagon Krayt

You are not understanding what I am saying. Let us look at the line I visited last.

\"7. Jedi are mindful of the negative emotions which lead to the Dark Side: Anger, Fear, Aggression, and Hate. If we sense these emotions manifesting within ourselves, we must meditate on the Jedi Code and focus on purging these destructive emotions.\"

Now, within the time spent in meditation on this when I have felt these feelings manifesting themselves within me, I have been able to analyze them. This analysis, which anyone can do with time and practice, will show you what the feelings are at thier core. And this tells what the dark side is. What the dark side allows. And most importantly how the Dark side is most effectively defeated. No there is no book. and there is no book because a Jedi will learn this for themselves when in this meditation over time becuase it must be learned for each individual. There is no one way to to best overcome the darkside. This is learned by each individual for themselves. '

So my knowledge comes from having explored these feelings in my meditations to purge them from myself. And It has saved my marriage as a result.

What I am saying my friend is that you can have full and complete knowledge of the Dark side without every touching it or practicing it. This is what allows a Jedi of the Light to master thier emotions and ultimately master themselves. Otherwise, you are simply doing a balancing act and never truely become the master of yourself.

I have to say I agree with you Br. Whiteman, but I might play devil's advocate and present an alternate perspective.

First, the light side of the force and the Jedi are not the same, just as the Dark side of the force and the Sith are not the same. The latter are practicioners of those apsects of the force, but no practicioner can be completely perfectly of the light or completely perfectly of the dark. The Light and Dark side of the force are different aspects of the same energy, because the force is an all encompassing omniscient entity, and both are necessary. In Greek mythology there is instead of a single omniscience a pantheon in which aspects of the omniscient entity are represented by seperate entities, in which the ultimate good could(arguably) be seen as Zeus while the God of death(bad) would be Hades.

While the force itself has polar oposites of ultimate light/good and ultimate evil/dark, the practicioners cannot in their physical state own up to this perfection.

Furthermore, simply because the light side observes a certain set of virtues does not imply that the dark observes opposite. In many aspects it is true, but in some cases the same virtue can be present on both ends. Honor for example could mean honorable fighting and honorable deeds to one side but honorable conquest and honorable smiting of the enemy to the other. Where as we see their version of honor as barbaric and evil, they see ours as weak and intangable. We might spare a man who is unarmed and recieve praise for that honorable deed while they may slay an unarmed man and be praised for a good kill. Perspective is a very key part because both sides feel they are undeniably correct.

As Jedi we are claiming the light in that we claim those values to be our goals and intentions, but by simply recognizing that the force has both a light and a dark side is recognizing not only that the force is impartial to good and evil, but that there is also a more or less opposite perspective to ours.

Br. Whiteman I hope you will excuse me if I truncate your post a bit to describe this point.


Twsoundsoff wrote:

Jedi Believe:
In the inherent worth of every person. People are worthy of respect, support, and caring just because they are human.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.

The dark side may not include care or support, but (to go back to the knights theme), a dark knight may recieve respect by his piers for slaying 10 men, and thus be judged valuable to their cause. Respect and worth.

Twsoundsoff wrote:

Jedi Believe:
Jedi Believe: In the importance of democracy within religious, political and other structures.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.

We believe in democracy as a means of being just and fair and seeing all perspectives so everyone gets a voice. Maybe the dark practicioners see democracy as a means of getting all available plans assessed by the population to best direct their efforts?

Twsoundsoff wrote:

Jedi Believe:
Jedi Believe: In the importance of individual believers determining evil influences and policies within their chosen faith group, and advocate for their correction.

Our individual believers determining evil influences and policies as determined by OUR DOCTERINES. Who's to say the dark practicioners don't see us as the evil and thus look to root out our beliefs in their system.




Lastly, and I know this is long, but I wanted to address Br. Whitemans statement:
Twsoundsoff wrote:

I simply do not agree with the idea that one can grow in the Force by an attempt to understand the Dark side in any other way than that which is taught by our own doctrine in the way of \"7. Jedi are mindful of the negative emotions which lead to the Dark Side: Anger, Fear, Aggression, and Hate. If we sense these emotions manifesting within ourselves, we must meditate on the Jedi Code and focus on purging these destructive emotions.\"

Purging does not mean allowing to come to fruition in order to better understand. Purging means to eliminate. And through our ability to eliminate it within ourselves we will be able to withstand and eliminate it elsewhere. This is how we learn and understand the Darkside. any other way is a deviation from the Path of the Light, which is the path of Peace.

THis I agree with, but I might add to it in that I think that by meditating on our dark emotions, on our evil thoughts and intentions and trying to understand them it isn't an abstract thing where we are aloof from them and looking at them, only to kick them out. These dark emotions are within us, they are a part of us, we are expierencing them every day. Meditating on them to control them is like throwing up a containment field in which we can analyse and learn about them in a controlled environment, so we are in fact expierencing the dark side of the force, but just in a safe manner that we can then chose to discard them afterwards. Instead of letting them manifest (in the extreme) in the form of a bank robery or a murder, we let them manifest in the little shell we create when we meditate and learn about them, and because we have chosen to look at them when they are small and controlable we can chose to discard them. When I meditate on these things I fully immerse myself in the perspective that the dark side justifies those emotions and I try to really understand their origin and their reason for exhistence, and then I channel those lessons into a productive use and I discard the dark emotions themselves as best I can. I am expierencing the dark side in doses I can handle.

This may not be how the majority of the Light side Jedi practicioners see it, and in that is why I would consider myself a Grey Jedi, chaotic neutral, or chaotic good at best, because I do my best t understand as many perspectives as I can while personally persuing the ones that would generally be considered good.

Thoughts on this?

Side question: if Jedi practice the docterines of the light and Sith practice the docterines of the dark, is there a branch in Lucas' invention that would be a practicioner of the grey/neutral? and if not shal we create one? and if grey is considered a third branch/section, neither sith nor jedi, does this being a JEDI order somewhat exclude them?

Allow me to think upon this and I will provide you with a response in 3 hours time.

First let me say That many of these statements are very wise. They show a great deal of learning study. Now to respond I will follow each one individually. This may get rather lengthy, however I believe it will also be helpful.

HesinRaca Wrote:
”First, the light side of the force and the Jedi are not the same, just as the Dark side of the force and the Sith are not the same. The latter are practitioners of those aspects of the force, but no practitioner can be completely perfectly of the light or completely perfectly of the dark. The Light and Dark side of the force are different aspects of the same energy, because the force is an all encompassing omniscient entity, and both are necessary. While the force itself has polar opposites of ultimate light/good and ultimate evil/dark, the practitioners cannot in their physical state own up to this perfection.”


This is most certainly true and I would not question these statements. However, I would say that it would be the Goal of a Jedi to strive for this perfection. In doing so they would gain great Knowledge and wisdom whether able to accomplish the task or not. The old saying “Shoot for the moon. Whether you get there or not you’ll land among the stars.” Comes to mind here.

HesinRaca Wrote:
“Furthermore, simply because the light side observes a certain set of virtues does not imply that the dark observes opposite. In many aspects it is true, but in some cases the same virtue can be present on both ends. Honor for example could mean honorable fighting and honorable deeds to one side but honorable conquest and honorable smiting of the enemy to the other. Where as we see their version of honor as barbaric and evil, they see ours as weak and intangable. We might spare a man who is unarmed and recieve praise for that honorable deed while they may slay an unarmed man and be praised for a good kill. Perspective is a very key part because both sides feel they are undeniably correct.”


This is somewhat true, however in most cases even though the same word is used, if does not have the same meaning then it is not the same idea behind the word. As an example If to the light side Peace were the idea of everyone respecting and caring for one another compassionately and working together in harmony and to the dark side peace were the idea that absolute control and everyone working towards the goal of that one leader. These are very plainly not the same. And while the same physical letters are assigned to it does not mean that they are the same in anyway.

HesinRaca Wrote:
”As Jedi we are claiming the light in that we claim those values to be our goals and intentions, but by simply recognizing that the force has both a light and a dark side is recognizing not only that the force is impartial to good and evil, but that there is also a more or less opposite perspective to ours.”

This is also true and you should never worry about pulling my words in order to rebuke, correct, or expand upon. I am open to them all. I’ve even had a few twisted to mean other things from time to time. Now, on to the fun stuff.




Twsoundsoff wrote:
Jedi Believe:
In the inherent worth of every person. People are worthy of respect, support, and caring just because they are human.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.
HesinRaca Wrote:
”The dark side may not include care or support, but (to go back to the knights theme), a dark knight may recieve respect by his piers for slaying 10 men, and thus be judged valuable to their cause. Respect and worth.”

Again a case of mistaken identity. Our belief is that people are worthy of these things (and heres the kicker) simply because they are Human. That denotes no other need or requirement. The simple fact that they exist as humans is what provides them with this worth. On the other hand, having to commit some deed or have some special ability does not fit within our belief Because the worth is inherent to them, special abilities or not. That is why the it does not allow for this belief.

Twsoundsoff wrote:
Jedi Believe: In the importance of democracy within religious, political and other structures.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.
HesinRaca Wrote:
”We believe in democracy as a means of being just and fair and seeing all perspectives so everyone gets a voice. Maybe the dark practicioners see democracy as a means of getting all available plans assessed by the population to best direct their efforts?”

Actually the practitioners of the dark side do not believe in democracy at all. This is because of their thirst for power. A dictatorship is more their style with one ultimate power at the head. (I am not certain here and would love input on this matter)

Twsoundsoff wrote:
Jedi Believe: In the importance of individual believers determining evil influences and policies within their chosen faith group, and advocate for their correction.
HessinRaca Wrote:
”Our individual believers determining evil influences and policies as determined by OUR DOCTERINES. Who's to say the dark practicioners don't see us as the evil and thus look to root out our beliefs in their system.”

This is very much true and they do. They feel threatened by our words and practices and indeed do want to eliminate us as a threat from the universe.






Twsoundsoff wrote:

I simply do not agree with the idea that one can grow in the Force by an attempt to understand the Dark side in any other way than that which is taught by our own doctrine in the way of \"7. Jedi are mindful of the negative emotions which lead to the Dark Side: Anger, Fear, Aggression, and Hate. If we sense these emotions manifesting within ourselves, we must meditate on the Jedi Code and focus on purging these destructive emotions.\"

Purging does not mean allowing to come to fruition in order to better understand. Purging means to eliminate. And through our ability to eliminate it within ourselves we will be able to withstand and eliminate it elsewhere. This is how we learn and understand the Darkside. any other way is a deviation from the Path of the Light, which is the path of Peace.

HessinRaca Wrote:
”THis I agree with, but I might add to it in that I think that by meditating on our dark emotions, on our evil thoughts and intentions and trying to understand them it isn't an abstract thing where we are aloof from them and looking at them, only to kick them out. These dark emotions are within us, they are a part of us, we are experiencing them every day. Meditating on them to control them is like throwing up a containment field in which we can analyze and learn about them in a controlled environment, so we are in fact experiencing the dark side of the force, but just in a safe manner that we can then chose to discard them afterwards. Instead of letting them manifest (in the extreme) in the form of a bank robbery or a murder, we let them manifest in the little shell we create when we meditate and learn about them, and because we have chosen to look at them when they are small and controllable we can chose to discard them. When I meditate on these things I fully immerse myself in the perspective that the dark side justifies those emotions and I try to really understand their origin and their reason for existence, and then I channel those lessons into a productive use and I discard the dark emotions themselves as best I can. I am experiencing the dark side in doses I can handle. “

This is exactly what I am teaching here. To be able to pull aside the emotion and look at it through a microscope in order to understand it. Wonderful analogies.

HesinRaca Wrote:
Side question: if Jedi practice the docterines of the light and Sith practice the docterines of the dark, is there a branch in Lucas' invention that would be a practicioner of the grey/neutral? and if not shal we create one? and if grey is considered a third branch/section, neither sith nor jedi, does this being a JEDI order somewhat exclude them?

I believe this is the path of the Shadow Jedi. However from what you have described to me I do not believe you are on that path. I think you are far more Light than you think.

Great piece and I look forward to seeing response. MTFBWYA

I agree almost completely and I will meditate on both what I had said and what you have said to further gain some thoughts on it.

I do have some additional thoughts to further explain my reasoning.

Twsoundsoff wrote:

HesinRaca Wrote:
“Furthermore, simply because the light side observes a certain set of virtues does not imply that the dark observes opposite. In many aspects it is true, but in some cases the same virtue can be present on both ends. Honor for example could mean honorable fighting and honorable deeds to one side but honorable conquest and honorable smiting of the enemy to the other. Where as we see their version of honor as barbaric and evil, they see ours as weak and intangable. We might spare a man who is unarmed and recieve praise for that honorable deed while they may slay an unarmed man and be praised for a good kill. Perspective is a very key part because both sides feel they are undeniably correct.”
---
This is somewhat true, however in most cases even though the same word is used, if does not have the same meaning then it is not the same idea behind the word. As an example If to the light side Peace were the idea of everyone respecting and caring for one another compassionately and working together in harmony and to the dark side peace were the idea that absolute control and everyone working towards the goal of that one leader. These are very plainly not the same. And while the same physical letters are assigned to it does not mean that they are the same in anyway.

I agree that often the same word can have different connotations to many people. The word \"love\" for example can mean anything from appreciation to deep emotional connection depending on who is saying it and how often. On the other hand there are a fairly decent number of words that though the reasoning is different the meaning is fairly close. When I said honor I meant it in the sense that the culture(jedi or sith for example) places on the word-->

dictionary-->
1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.
2. a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family.
3. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
<---
Although the majority of society deams honor to be equivilant to number 1, I I was thinking more in terms of the 2nd and third in that honor denotes a feeling of respect for a person and a high regaurd for their actions. The fact that the sith culture deams deciet and treachery as a basis for honor and respect does not deny the fact they the concept of honor and respect is the same. The reason for the honor and respect is different.


Twsoundsoff wrote:

Twsoundsoff wrote:
Jedi Believe: In the importance of democracy within religious, political and other structures.

The dark side of the force does not allow for this belief.
HesinRaca Wrote:
”We believe in democracy as a means of being just and fair and seeing all perspectives so everyone gets a voice. Maybe the dark practicioners see democracy as a means of getting all available plans assessed by the population to best direct their efforts?”

Actually the practitioners of the dark side do not believe in democracy at all. This is because of their thirst for power. A dictatorship is more their style with one ultimate power at the head. (I am not certain here and would love input on this matter)

In thinking on it I realize that I was observing the concept of an \"evil\" nation enacting democracy. In theory the idea of a democratic system could function in an evil culture, but I can't think of any so I can't back that up.


Twsoundsoff wrote:

I believe this is the path of the Shadow Jedi. However from what you have described to me I do not believe you are on that path. I think you are far more Light than you think.

I don't necessarily consider myself a shadow jedi, I consider the general outcome of my overall intentions to be good and in many situations I would act in the light, but along the road to the general intentions of the light I have instances where an action that would be commonly considered wrong I see as completely fine. I guess what I am saying is that despite being a jedi of the light I have a personal moral code that differs from that of common \"good people\". I guess something slightly darker then Strider(sorry, I have to admit I'm a bigger LotR geek then anything else), but not without the capacity of Aragorn's sense of rightiousness...


All in all I think we covered some very good ground. The point is more or less clear that though the Jedi are inherently good and the Sith inherently bad by our perspective as Jedi, that does not imply that they are always in polar opposition, though it is more often this way than anything else.

I just can't take or stomach the, \"just because they are human\". You lost me right there totally........


Being human does not excuse or give you the trump card. In fact, being that we have free will it more than makes you responsible for re-payment in kind even tripled is fair.

I pretty much agree with everything that HesinRaca has said in this thread. I do wish to add a couple of more thoughts on this though.

twsoundsoff wrote:

As an example If to the light side Peace were the idea of everyone respecting and caring for one another compassionately and working together in harmony and to the dark side peace were the idea that absolute control and everyone working towards the goal of that one leader. These are very plainly not the same. And while the same physical letters are assigned to it does not mean that they are the same in anyway.

I ask you is the peace in both of these situations not the same? I believe it is. The path it took to get to that peace would be far different of course, but the final goal of peace is accomplished in both situations. On the contrary though, true peace can and will never be accomplished. There is just no way to make everyone happy all time, therefore someone will disturb the peace, one way or another.

twsoundsoff wrote:

Our belief is that people are worthy of these things (and heres the kicker) simply because they are Human. That denotes no other need or requirement. The simple fact that they exist as humans is what provides them with this worth. On the other hand, having to commit some deed or have some special ability does not fit within our belief Because the worth is inherent to them, special abilities or not. That is why the it does not allow for this belief.

If this is true, I ask you this. Since there is no other need or requirement to be respected and worthy if you will, what of rapist, murderers, child molesters and the like? There is not need or requirement for them to follow law or societys moral standard therefore under your belief these people are just as worthy and respectfull as your local sunday school teacher. To further this, terrorists who would strap their children into suicide bomber vests, to get them close to troops and then detonate them, would also be worthy and respected. I just can't see the logic in this.

Maybe I'm missing something, so hopefully you can fill me in on this, because would find it hard to believe that any Jedi regardless of affiliation could respect people like any of these, and deem them worthy of anything, including their lives.

Dhagon Krayt

My friend, this is not a matter of logic as many of our previous discussions have been. This is a simple matter of doctrine and belief.
Ad to answer your question, yes. They all deserve our respect, love, and caring. they may perhaps deserve it in a prison. But they deserve it none the less. They are human, so they qualify. Are their decisions poorly made? yes. Do they need correcting in some or many ways? Yes. But should we respect and love them any less? No. This is a fundamental belief of the Jedi upon which are built many other beliefs.

Does anyone else have an opinion on this matter? I for one completely disagree, I do beleive that before the atrotious actions, yes they diserved our respect, and charity. By commiting these actions they no longer deserve any of that. They forfeit, their human rights in my eyes. Never should Rape or the molestation of a child be ok, or even allowed. Murder by its basic definition, could only be excusable in the defense of your own, or someone else's life from deadly force. Deadly force however should only be used as a last resort.

Dhagon Krayt

No where have I said that those things are ok. However, they are still human and still desere our love and compassion. It may in those cases manifest itself as pity, for thier ignorance, for their hate, for their lack of compassion. But it does not mean that we just abandon them. Those people need our love and aid more after those actions then before. They need to be corrected and to understand what it is they have done. They need those who can be responsible enough to care for them. To guide them and council them in an effort to re-direct thier energies toward peaceful action. But I would never disagree that rape, murder, molestation, or anything of that nature is evil or wrong. It most certainly is.

Aside from the few that are truly mentally handicapped, everyone of them know what they were going to do was wrong before they did it. They understand that it was wrong, and in most cases do it more than once. Your telling me I should love them and try to help them, your crazy. There is no rehabilitation for child molestation, they should be locked up for life, on the first offense. If and when they get back on the street, 99.9% of them will do it again, regarless of what they say in therapy and counseling. Some people do not deserve the rights they are given. Including the Judges that put 1st, 2nd and 3rd time offenders of child molestation back on the street with bullsh*t like 6 months probation or something similar. They deserve nothing. This is one of those things that weakens society, people truly think that there is good in everyone, its simply not true. We can continue this tomorrow, I gotta go.

Dhagon Krayt

I will continue right now. Yes, I'm saying you should love them just the same. I feel as though you are not reading what I am writing here. Pity is as much love as anyother form of love. It is compassionate. I have also said nothing about rehabilitation. I am saying that they need to be shown the error of thier ways. As I have said before, Maybe they need this from a prison or similar facility. But that does not mean that they should be hated. Obviously thier actions should be hated and stopped if at all possible. But the people themselves are still deserving of our Love, compassion, etc. Otherwise you do not believe this tenet of Jediism.

It does not say \"Jedi believe In the inherent worth of every person unless they commit attrocious or evil acts. People are worthy of respect, support, and caring just because they are human unless they commit evil acts of violence or atrocity.\"

It says \"Jedi Believe In the inherent worth of every person. People are worthy of respect, support, and caring just because they are human.\"

This is not interpretable in any other than than given.

I also want to add that I have not said that they should not be held responsible for their actions. They most certainly should be. But again, that does not mean they should be hated or abandoned from our love.

excuse my for being so naieve, but why should we even see faults in people? Wouldn't it just be better to look at a person, and see someone wonderful and beautiful..and not sinful or dirty.? I am not excusing violent or unlaw acts, but they are people too. I surely would want forgiveness if i were them. Wouldn't you?

Well, the first question is a bit more complicated than would first seem. one of the beliefs of a Jedi is \"In the importance of individual believers determining evil influences and policies within their chosen faith group, and advocate for their correction.\"

This is why we must see faults. Otherwise the corruption would spread like a disease of some kind. And of course someone Molesting Children needs to be stopped from committing that act and in order to stop them we need to be able to recognize that fault in order to stop and correct it.

To the rest of your statements the answer is a resounding yes. They should indeed be forgiven and loved just the same. That does not mean that they will not or should not pay the penalty of their actions but it does mean that we should not hate them.

Dhagon Krayt wrote:

Aside from the few that are truly mentally handicapped, everyone of them know what they were going to do was wrong before they did it. They understand that it was wrong, and in most cases do it more than once. Your telling me I should love them and try to help them, your crazy. There is no rehabilitation for child molestation, they should be locked up for life, on the first offense. If and when they get back on the street, 99.9% of them will do it again, regarless of what they say in therapy and counseling. Some people do not deserve the rights they are given. Including the Judges that put 1st, 2nd and 3rd time offenders of child molestation back on the street with bullsh*t like 6 months probation or something similar. They deserve nothing. This is one of those things that weakens society, people truly think that there is good in everyone, its simply not true. We can continue this tomorrow, I gotta go.

Dhagon Krayt

We, really may seem cold and quick to judge but, I resonate with these words.

You are right and it were better for all that these types of individuals were never/born or made but, since they are/were then they should be summarily executed to save future suffering of the innocent, and so they can get a fresh start with a real change.

Summarily executed? That is not the Jedi way at all! My word, that is absurd not to mention obscene! In what way does our doctrine support that statement. It does not in any way.

I am very concerned with these statements. They have no basis in Jedi Philosophy at all. They are statements of hate. There is no mercy or compassion in summary execution. It would be very different if they were in some sort of suffering or something of that nature but in this sense that is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

Our teachings show us as \"Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice throughout the World. We use our abilities and powers to defend and protect, never to attack others. We respect all life, in all forms. We are humble and live to serve all living things. For the good of others, we seek to improve ourselves through knowledge and wisdom, on this journey that is never ending.\"

as well as \"9. Jedi protect the peace. We are warriors of peace, and are not ones to use force to resolve a conflict; it is through peace, understanding and harmony that conflicts resolve.\"

and \"10. Jedi believe in destiny and trust in the will of the Force. We accept the fact that what seems to be random events are not random at all, but the design of the Force. Each living creature has a purpose, understanding that purpose comes with a deep awareness of the Force. Even things that happen which seem negative have a purpose, though that purpose is not easy to see.\"

and finally \"15. Jedi are guardians of peace and justice. We believe in finding peaceful solutions to problems, gifted as we are we remain negotiators of the utmost ability. We never negotiate out of fear, but never fear to negotiate. We embrace justice, protecting and preserving the fundamental rights of all living creatures. Empathy and compassion are vital to us; it allows us to comprehend the wounds caused by injustice.\"

I think that you, Dhagon Krayt, are more or less seeing the perspective of evil doing people the same as Br. Whiteman, but from a different angle. Br. Whiteman is (correct me if I'm wrong) stating that by the Jedi codes of this church that we all voluntarily joined, all life, be it human, moss, dog, tree, bacteria, is inherently of worth and value, and that human beings by nature of being sentient beings deserve respect as living things. This is not to say that this respect outweighs their actions, and as you say there should be repercussions for a person's choices.

In christianity there is the phrase \"If a man slaps you on the cheek be at peace and turn the other\". The idea is that you have respect for him as a human being, and that through that you have unconditional love/value for his life. Now this extreme case of turning the other cheak, ie, letting the rapist go time and time again, is unrealistic, because it is detrimental to humanity. Their initial respect that is inherent upon birth prior to their actions, as you mentioned, still holds, but what they do in their life determines in what form they recieve that respect. Whereas a person could be considered a respectable member of society, when he commits a serious crime he should, by the Jedi code, be treated with respect, but also treated in reference to his actions. The further he goes in his evil actions the less freedom he is allowed and the more the respect changes in how it is expressed, ie, the more corrective teaching he needs. He may never get better, but the initial respect is enough that he should be given the chance to change.
This is more or less what the code is saying. Respect does not imply you give them free reign, but it does mean that you do not exterminate them because of their actions.