Questions About Jediism

1. Do you think that the traits of Jediism is a religion or philosophy?

Jediism, to me, is both. Much of the philosophical study within the Temple of the Jedi Order (TOTJO) is designed not to teach a particular viewpoint of doctrine but to encourage each member to find their own. I spent five months looking inward at what I really want to be. I'm still discovering interesting parts of my mentality that I was unaware of and will likely keep finding more until I die. The religious aspect of TOTJO's beliefs are found in my belief of the Force, explained in question 3.


2. Would you describe yourself as a Jedi?

Yes. I do often.


3. What does it mean to believe in the Force?

The Force is a word. What the word means to each of us is different. Some believe that the Force is an extension of divine energy, like God, Yahweh, Allah, or other deities. Others believe it is a field of energy that flows through us all. My interpretation is that the Force is created by everything and is the energy of interconnectedness. Through the Force we are connected like cells in the human body. For me, the Force whispers to me. I can still my mind and listen or choose to do something different.


4. What happens when we die?

I am not sure. I have not been dead yet.


5. Are you a fan of the Star Wars films and books? I enjoyed the films from a cinematic point of view, appreciated a lot of the futuristic mechanical advantages they enjoy, like the spacecraft, replacement limbs, medical advances, and the cultural differences between truly different races (not like we humans do based on race, ancestry, gender, etc).


6. What is your attitude towards fan culture around Star Wars?

I am indifferent to the fan culture, though there is little SW fan culture where I am from. I haven't had a problem with the few I have met.


7. Is Star Wars films important for Jediism as a religion?

No. I believe that a person that has not seen the films could join with ease. They would have no preconceived notions to break, allowing them to study without the influence of the films.

1. Do you think that the traits of Jediism is a religion or philosophy?
Jediism is both religion and philosophy. Their are those of us who have Jediism as our sole religion and their are others who belong to other religions and see Jediism as a philosophical "add on" to another religion.


2. Would you describe yourself as a Jedi?
Without hesitation.


3. What does it mean to believe in the Force?
Belief in the Force is belief in a unifying energy in all things. One is all and all is one, the Force is the all and I am the one. For us Jedi we choose to call it the Force with an understanding that it can go by many names. Believing in the Force is compatible with any other religion and has much to do with the inner self.


4. What happens when we die?
Our energy continues to flow throughout the Force to be put to some other use. The energy within our bodies has been used countless times before we used it and will be used again infinitely after our deaths.


5. Are you a fan of the Star Wars films and books?
Yes. I quite enjoy the movies and the development of the characters in them.


6. What is your attitude towards fan culture around Star Wars?
I'm fairly unaffected by it and have little opinion of it. I've seen the movies but that is about it.


7. Is Star Wars films important for Jediism as a religion?
The Star Wars films only serve two purposes in Jediism; to give a name to our beliefs, and to serve as another myth to study. The religion is not based on Star Wars and does not have ties to the cinematic or literary universe of Star Wars.

1. Do you think that the traits of Jediism is a religion or philosophy?

A philosophy. Religion denotes some sort of worship outside (or in conjunction with) faith. I have faith that my car will start, but I don't worship it - thus it's not a religion. Note that I do not believe that there is anything wrong with it being a philosophy.

2. Would you describe yourself as a Jedi?

Only insomuch as that such a title could be ascribed to an individual who lives a certain lifestyle adhering to those things that it is said a Jedi should adhere to.

3. What does it mean to believe in the Force?

That would depend entirely upon how one defines the Force. That said, to believe in it is simply to endorse a line of thought that holds true to your definition.

4. What happens when we die?

That would depend on your point of view. Jedi? Christian? Muslim? Jew? You will find different answers for each and even different answers among the same...

5. Are you a fan of the Star Wars films and books?

Yes.

6. What is your attitude towards fan culture around Star Wars?

It's a good thing to have such a dedicated fan-base. Issues arise when genre's are gaped or bridged to create a Star Wars-esque hybrid, but normally this is not an issue.

7. Is Star Wars films important for Jediism as a religion?

Yes, very much so.

i liked johnson cuz he put almost verbatim what i would have put, except i would have spelled 'gapped' correctly.