Listen, I wish them well. Really, I do. I hope they find whatever it is that they are looking for. They are not, however, borrowing from other religions. They are borrowing from movies. Movies that borrowed openly and themes from other religions and spun them in to something that people loved growing up. They are borrowing from a 'religion' that says it's ok to kill umpteen thousands/millions of people, as Darth Vader did, and still get access through the pearly gates if you finally kill the guy that made you do it, while he's torturing your child, who by the way - you tried to corrupt, then kill as well...but you only managed to lop his hand off.I fail to see how this argument is relevant at all to creation of a new religion. If a person doesn't agree with couple of specific tenants of a religion while agree with the greater majority of them, that's a personal issue that said person has to address. Either said person chooses to modify their belief structure to accept said requirements of this religion, or this person finds a different religion to practice that more closely matches his/her personal beliefs.
There are profound similarities between a great many of the world's religions. They have borrowed from each other, retold the same stories and taught many of the same basic concepts about the human experience. They differ primarily in the details. This Jedi Church in the UK is no different. They are borrowing from many different sources to establish a practicing religion that fits their belief structure. All long as this doesn't infringe upon anyone's individual rights, they have the freedom to practice whatever religious beliefs they choose.
Please. It makes for a good show, and a nice story about rising to power, falling from grace, and redeeming yourself, but in the real world, it just doesn't work. You cannot build your religion's foundation on that shaky ground. Maybe if Hitler or Hussein had just said sorry before making their exits, or opened an abused citizens shelter, we'd all think differently about them, right? I'm guessing probably not. If you're going to build the church of Star Wars, then follow what Star Wars preaches. The ENTIRE theme of Star Wars is about Anakin's rise and fall, and eventual restoration to the 'light side'. That's what everything is built around. Are they going to pick and choose from that too? They can if they want, but don't call it the church of Star Wars.
Furthermore, they can't have lightsaber training because lightsabers don't exist. They're swinging sticks at each other. When they die, they are not going to appear to their loved ones in spirit form.
All this being said, I think I'm going to follow the lead of that luminary Peter Griffin and start the Church of the Fonz.
As Lois said "if even just one person embraced the Fonz’s values of friendship, it was all worthwhile" Afterall, if we were all just a little nicer to each other, the world would be a better place. No?
Nah, I think the Church of Charlie Brown would be more appropriate. Instead of 'amen', we'd instead say 'good grief'.
I can't say too much more on this topic. In the end, people will do what they want to do, and this church won't really affect me in any way. If they become better people as a result of their congregations, fine. If it gets them a little exercise in the process, even better.
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