Jediism
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The examples and perspective in this article may not include all significant viewpoints. Please improve the article or discuss the issue. (February 2011) |
Jediism is a religious movement based on the philosophical and spiritual ideas of the Jedi as depicted in Star Wars media.[1]
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[edit] Belief
Practitioners identify themselves with the Jedi Knights in Star Wars, believe in the existence of the Force and that interaction with the Force is possible.[2] Believers align themselves with the moral code demonstrated by the fictional Jedi.[3] One Jedi church described the religion as syncretistic, incorporating beliefs from various religions including Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism and Shintoism.[4]
[edit] Origin of Beliefs
George Lucas has cited history as his inspiration for creating the Force, saying in a Wired interview:
"Similar phrases have been used extensively by many different people for the last 13,000 years to describe the 'life force'."[5]—George Lucas, Wired Magazine, May 2005
He also stated during a 1999 interview with journalist Bill Moyers that while he hesitated to call the Force "God," that his aim was in fact to evoke a spiritual awakening in young people.[6]
[edit] Reaction
During the drafting of the UK Racial and Religious Hatred Act, an amendment was proposed that excluded Jedi Knights from any protection.[7] Jediism was excluded from a 2010 UK Act protecting organizations such as the Church of Scientology from discrimination.[8]
In 2009, a Jedi was banned from a Tesco Supermarket in Bangor, North Wales, for refusing to remove his hood on a religious basis.[9] The following year, a Jedi was thrown out of a Jobcentre in Southend, Essex, for refusing to remove his hood; he later received an apology.[10]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Hume, Lynne; Kathleen McPhillips (2006). Popular spiritualities: the politics of contemporary enchantment. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. pp. 59. ISBN 9780754639992. http://books.google.com/books?id=exQ4Zmtjc_sC&pg=PA59.
- ^ Davidsen, Markus (2011). "Jediism: a convergence of Star Wars fan culture and salad bar spirituality". De Filosoof; Departementsblad Wijsbegeerte Universiteit Utrecht. http://forskningsbasen.deff.dk/View.external?recordId=auau:22491662.
- ^ Deacy, Christopher; Elisabeth Arweck (2009). Exploring religion and the sacred in a media age. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. pp. 15. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=HRmYapWETqcC&oi=fnd&pg=PA141&dq=jediism&ots=Q7g6wSokNY&sig=NFHEv8faPg4Wr9cXNVxkhcWbCfE#v=onepage&q=jediism&f=false.
- ^ "Jedi Available for Gay Weddings". 2009-03-15. http://qsaltlake.com/2009/03/15/jedi-available-for-gay-weddings/. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Silberman, Steve (May 2005). "Life After Darth". Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.05/lucas.html. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ Moyers, Bill. "The Mythology of Star Wars with George Lucas and Bill Moyers". Films Media Group. http://ffh.films.com/id/11017/The_Mythology_of_Star_Wars_with_George_Lucas_and_Bill_Moyers.htm. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ "Racial and Religious Hatred Bill". 2005-06-29. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmstand/e/st050629/pm/50629s01.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
- ^ Woolf, Marie (2010-03-07). "Don’t mock my lentils: vegans to get discrimination rights". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7052580.ece. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Carter, Helen. "Jedi religion founder accuses Tesco of discrimination over rules on hoods". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/18/jedi-religion-tesco-hood-jones. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Levy, Andrew (2010-03-17). "Political correctness strikes back: Jedi believer wins apology after being kicked out of Jobcentre for wearing a hood". The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1258365/Jedi-believer-wins-apology-Jobcentre-kicked-wearing-hood.html. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
