Two guys in Wales [lets just call it England's Canada] are starting a brand new church - The Church of the Jedi. Since my own church background is in The Church of the Nazarene, any church that puts 'of the' in their name has to be interesting. This is no different. Robes, the mete-chlorians floating about - it makes perfect sense... actually, more sense than scientology. Did I mention that Tom Cruise just got a Scientology award? Wait, we are talking about Jedi. Don't get me wrong. I fully believe that Samuel L. Jackson is completely a part of a religious right that have power over minds and can will the world with their awesome 'one-ness' with everything. Even snakes on planes. It just seems as though we have no sense of balance with this. Is Scientology going to become the church for the Dark Side of the force? Will people actually be given light sabers? It is just all to much to take in on this glorious day.
In all reality though, I have to say that I did and do like Star Wars as stories. There are some serious parallels from scripture and a story of good and evil that has likely never quite been duplicated. It is even fascinating to our creative sides, titillating to my synapses. Still, we have come to the point in a ever relative world where there is little left to protect as sacred. Now we have a church of the Jedi. We make movies out of our religion, why not make religions out of our movies? What is it that truly allows us to take reality this far? What grounds us? Can we continue to take organized religion seriously? I believe we need to be grounded in relationships. Religious beliefs of all kinds are held by people who see themselves as part of a new reality found in that religion. Philosophically and psychologically it might be more of a cultural and situation understand than a true change of heart. As a Christian, or a person who follows after Christ, I believe that there is a substantial difference in the practical message of Christ who asks us to tear down the walls of insiders and outsiders to create a reality known as the Kingdom of God. It IS different than a 'religion.' It IS a reality that can be lived out here and now as the commands of Jesus and teachings of Jesus are taken to the streets. Why are there so many different understandings of Jesus? Religion has gotten in the way. Religion has also helped advance Jesus' teachings. It's a fine line.
So I ask that we see the beauty in people who want to be unified in the force. And beauty in religion. Most of all, beauty in relationships with people that help us bring about a better here and now.
For more on the Church of the Jedi click HERE.
if that didn't work: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7200531.stm
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