I have written this and re-wrote and re-wrote this several times over the months and wanted to do something to really hit off a message.
But it finally dawned on me a few weeks ago that there is no one message to touch each person in the same way so here’s a Testimony that I thought would be helpful instead.
Every one of us has a reason or another for journeying here and becoming a Jedi, whether a student, Knight, Master, Officer, Council Member, Grand Master, Minister, Charter Member, etc.
My Journey in Jediism began before the Temple officially started like many of us older members. 1977, the year Star Wars began in theaters, I was just 13, my Stepsister took me for my13th Birthday and stood in lines to get in. But the journey was one I to this day am glad to say began my path.
My parents allowed me to journey in my own search for faith, Coming from Irish Protestant and Iris Catholic backgrounds, I can say there is a true rift between the two, and witnessed much of a family true to that.
Anyway, I was allowed to search for my own path because they believed in many things not norm to the Family. Find my own Faith, not judge people by color, faith or politics. So, by the time Star Wars came out Faith was a non-Denominal viewpoint and over the years stories, lore, etc., began not only for me but others, an open view of the Universe and just what there is.
Personally, I consider myself as a Christian Jedi. My path has led me to that viewpoint for myself, and I tell people do not take my word for that reason for yourself, one must find their own path. You can be a Jedi and be Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.
By saying this, I have learned that we each have our own path and no path is identical. Like a Tree or a River, Branches merge into stems or streams, to leaves or ponds.
Everything we learn, experience and see leads us to who we are and what we follow, believe or understand.
Now, I will not say Star Wars is all knowing because that would be a lie or a fallacy. Nor do I subscribe to the Universal belief that it inherits all properties. I have seen and witnessed things I cannot explain nor disprove, but have yet to find myself levitating rocks or willfully throwing things across rooms or at objects, Mind tricking anyone by suggestive ways, etc.
Twenty Years, still seems like Yesterday when I found the Temple and became not only a Charter member but a member of a community that has been growing since that first date. December 23, 2005.
I have seen this place through growing pains and all, much like a mother sits and listens, reads, studies and then some….
Many of us are long timers, some have gone and come back, some flitter around and make themselves known every once in a while…. But the thing that is…. Is they’re here.
This is Home for many that choose not to be bound by traditional Religion. The Temple provides each one of us with what we seek, need and nurture as our own belief and how we get there after finding the Temple.
For me, it has been an amazing trip in this life. I’ve seen so much, yet So Proud to be a part of this. No matter where I am, I am not afraid to speak the words, “Yes, I belong to the Temple of the Jedi Order… It’s not a fake thing or a fantasy, we believe in principles and a Doctrine of Faith.” Yes, I get that look every once in a while, and I laugh with them until I look back and say, “We don’t wield lightsabers… that’s in the movies, but, we believe in a Philosophy of our own, no different than that of any person who believes in their Religion, to do for others…” Tends to shut them down off the laughter….
Many have joined over the Years for multitudes of Reasons… Over the years we let go of the stance of Religious Jedi, such as firm terms of “Christian”, “Pagan”, “Spiritualist”, etc., types, except for those who Chose to call themselves a “Christian Jedi” as I do. We put those confines into a placement to allow those to have a Special Interest in the association as Jedi.
We’ve done an amazing job in bringing Jediism to light for those seeking a clarity in life and in finding a place to call home in how one wishes to believe. Our Teaching protocols and studies have been developed and revamped as need fit to insure we give the best to those who seek that knowledge.
Being an actual Church that provides Seminary studies for those who wish to be Clergy within the Church.
Everything is centered on what we believe:
In the Force, and in the inherent worth of all life within it.
In the sanctity of the human person. We oppose the use of torture and cruel or unusual punishment, including the death penalty.
In a society governed by laws grounded in reason and compassion, not in fear or prejudice.
In a society that does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or circumstances of birth such as gender, ethnicity and national origin.
In the ethic of reciprocity, and how moral concepts are not absolute but vary by culture, religion and over time.
In the positive influence of spiritual growth and awareness on society.
In the importance of freedom of conscience and self-determination within religious, political and other structures.
In the separation of religion and government and the freedoms of speech, association and expression.
But the fact of the basic things that I follow:
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.
My Twist on it for Service:
Quiet your emotions to find inner peace.
Learn from ignorance to foster knowledge.
Enjoy your passions but be immersed in serenity.
Understand the chaos to see the harmony.
Life and death is to be one with the Force.
Always remember this in order to serve others….
• Love for self (self-respect)
• Love of life (sense of wonder, adventure, and learning)
• Love for life (valuing all life in the universe)
• Love for fellow human beings (from those close, to whole human family)
• Empathy (ability to feel other's pains and joys).
For Example:
Ideals Of A Jedi:
1. Respect yourself. Without self-respect, you will never be able to respect anything.
2. Respect for life. Life is what gives a Jedi his/her power, therefore it is to be cherished always.
3. Respect others. Respect all those around you, for they are part of the Force. Even enemies are part of the Force.
4. Respect Nature. "Intelligent life" is not the only life, and through the Force a Jedi may learn sources of wisdom from many places, not all seen as "intelligent"
5. Respect death. Death is part of the Force, since everything happens in cycles. The cycle of one life affects another, that is the way of things. The way of the Force.
6. Respect the Dark Side. He who does not respect his greatest enemy will BECOME his greatest enemy. With respect comes objectivity and insight, seeing how things are done and how to oppose them quickly and decisively.
We all have our reasons why we came here, why we are here, why we are coming back.
Some call it home, Some seek advice, Some give advice, Some need someone to talk to
Some enjoy the discussions; Most have friends here.
I believe everyone will agree to at least one of those reasons. There is one other reason, maybe the most important one:
We are ALL connected by the Force.
Our connection with the Force and with each other is the foundation of this Temple.
It gives us strength, hope, joy when we are weak, despaired, sad.
It is a safe haven when life troubles us.
It is a place to celebrate when life is joyful.
All those things are important to me and I hope that together we will cherish what we have here in our Temple.
The Creed:
I am a Jedi, an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred I shall bring love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
I am a Jedi.
I shall never seek so much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Force is with me always, for I am a Jedi.
(Creed adopted from the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, author unknown, 1915)
The Jedi Creed (Christian Jedi Orthodox Version)
I believe in the Living Force Of Creation and all that is seen and unseen.
I am a Jedi, an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred I shall bring love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
I am a Jedi.
I shall never seek so much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
In pardoning that we are pardoned;
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Living Force Of Creation is always with me; I am a Christian Jedi.
As well as Our other teachings. There is so much we have brought forth to Make the Temple a home for many and will strive to continue in that. This is Our firstTwenty Years… There is so much more to come in the future and I, as well as you, Look forward to seeing what the future will Bring….
