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The Citizen, 2003-07-23, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2003. From the Minister^ Study Jediism — the new internet religion Bv Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Blyth United Church StatsCan revealed in May that Canada has 20,000 followers of Jedi. The vast majority of Canadians, seven out of 10, identify themselves as Christians, but a surprising number told census takers they are followers of the Jedi, the holy warriors from the movie, Star Wars. Not just fans but followers of the spiritual teachers of the six-part book and movie series. Where did the Jedi come from, and how could Jediism have become a religion so quickly? The simple answer is that they came from Star Wars, the creation and invention of George Lucas, an American cinematographer. He wanted to make a film that would introduce the world to his version of good versus evil. Knowing the power of fantasy, he set the intergalactic saga in a science fiction mode. Lucas invented a range of Jedi characters and gave them other­ worldly names, the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi knight Luke Sky walker, Jedi master Yoda and the evil one, Darth Vader. Jedi believed a Force existed in all things, and that it was their goal to keep the universe balanced towards peace and goodness with their magical light sabres. It was exciting entertainment and earned Lucas millions of dollars. But it was much more. The story conveyed significant spiritual themes. The Jedi believed in thinking clearly, and acting as guardians of the universe. The Force was on their side. They were very attractive characters, and Lucas attracted some great actors. It was not surprising the Star - Wars saga took off, and spawned a cult following. Lucas never denied his intent to include a spiritual theme at the core of the science fiction saga. “I wanted it to be a traditional moral study, to have moral teachings in it that children could understand,” Lucas told a reporter. “There is always a lesson to be learned. Traditionally, we get these lessons from church, the family, and from art. In the modern world we get them from the media - from movies.” How did Jediism become a religion? In the spring of 2001, the year of the national census in Australia and elsewhere, an e-mail was sent around the world encouraging all Star Wars fans to get the Jedi recognized as an official religion. “If 10,000 people declared they were Jedi,” the e-mail asserted, “it would be recognized as an official religion in Australia.” The claim was false and misleading, because in Australia other variables had to be present for a religion to be officially recognized. But the impact of the Jedi - the Force - had been made. More than 70,000 people in Australia declared they were followers of the Jedi faith. In New Zealand, 7,000 people declared themselves Jedi. In the United Kingdom, 390,000 people said they were Jedi. This is more than said they were Jews. And in Canada, 20,000 people told the 2001 census takers their religion was Jedi. Jediism is only two years old. It was bom in the mind of the creative person who sent the e-mail in 2001. This incident illustrates the tremendous power of the internet as a communication medium. And the hunger of many people for a recognizable religious faith. What do I think of Jediism? What is its value? ’ must admit my first impression was negative. What is the world coming to if fictional Jedi characters can be included in a national census? But on deeper reflection I realized Jediism teaches some of the same spiritual principles for living and co­ operation you will find throughout the Bible. George Lucas has taken universal religious themes, and through the magic of modem cinematography and special effects technology, illustrated the age-old spiritual truths of good versus evil in the fantasy world of a far-flung galaxy. For example. The Jedi talk about the Force. Jedi knights (disciples) are taught to seek this Force, for it surrounds us, penetrates us, and keeps the galaxies together. Just as the scriptures have always declared, God is not far from each of us, for “in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28). Another example. The official code of Jediism contains 21 maxims, which the Jedi knights are taught to embrace. They include: prowess, justice, loyalty, defence, courage, faith, humility, fearlessness, nobility, franchise, pure motive, discipline, focus, discretion, meditation, training, integrity, morality, engaging in conflict, intervention and harmonizing. These maxims are all found in various epistles of St. Paul, including some from this list: “What ever is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise, think about these things. And the God of peace - the Force - will be with you” (Philippians 4: 8,9). Read the Jedi literature on the websites, and you will find it rings with biblical themes. The overlap is too close to be ignored. Without the model of Christianity, I do not believe George Lucas could have come up with the belief system that motivates the Jedi in Star Wars. As I see it, Jediism is essentially Christian spirituality with computerized and digitally-timed special effects, set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” but meant for spiritually inclined Star Wars fans today. Unwittingly, the 20,000 Canadians who signed up as Jedi, were really signing up for a modem form of Christianity. That is much better than declaring “none” as your religious option. May the Force be with you! BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS llle milt ui&ibAip M Shubbeib United CAiwtcA [<vc tAe. m&ntA of July, Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church 254 Drummond St. E., Blyth Saturday Night Mass at 7:00 pm Father John Johnson, Pastor 357-2435 e|ei HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH sngasonjof Auburn-526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD - 523-4941 Sunday 9:30 a.m. - Family Bible Hour Invest. For life. 1 800 567-CURE Muscular Dystrophy Anotiathm if Canada AM Until there's a cure, there's us. BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Joan Golden - Diaconal Student Minister Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wcl.on.ca July 27 Ethel United Church Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Brussels United Church 11:00 a.m. Worship Service We welcome our neighbours from Melville Presbyterian Church "Join us to worship with The Saints and stay for lunch." THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA '‘Wefccwtej tfacc ta coenc wondAcft cuftA. ccj Sunday, July 27 7TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST MORNING PRAYER It I Trinity, Blyth St. John's, BrusselsI O'! 9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Tom.Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 tea, fvt cwvtafaft Sunday, July 27 Morning Worship Service -10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible Church "The Church is not a Building, It is People Touching People" SUMMER SCHEDULE Sunday 11:00 am Worship Service (Junior Church during service) K QI« //T\\ £ £ £ 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Servie 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.- Youth 7:15 p.m. - Adult Bible Study Spiritual Healing Seminar ~ Thurs., July 31 & Fri., Aug. 1 at 7:00 pm For more information call: Gail Bailey 523-9796, Mary Marsh 482-9623 (No products or services will be sold) Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. ~ Pastor Les Cook 523-4590 Cornerstone BibleJuly 27: Samuel 11:26ff "David in Theatre: Actor Location Change: ARENA HALL "Evangelical Missionary Church" Communion - 9:45 - 10:30 Ethel Family Bible Hour and Sunday School ~ 11:00 - 12:00 Prayer & Bible Study ~ Tuesday 8 p.m. Ladies' Time Out - The last Thursday of each month 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, July 27 Worship Service & Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Bl £ 8 £ £ Service lead by Judy Gleave and Youth z/tZ 'WcCea*KC Minister: Rev. Dr. Eugen Bannerman Office: 523-4224 Blyth United Church is a welcoming community of faith. We celebrate God's presence through worship and study, and through responding to the needs and gifts of each other. 3 3 3 10:30 a.m. - S Contemporary Worship J Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848 0 § www.tcc.on.ca/~dowfam 3 John 14:6 - Jesus said, "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Everyone Welcome Call Pastor Andrew Thursdays or Fridays at 887-6123