Mr. Leming
World religion
11/17/14
Jediism
Everyone’s heard of Jedis, but it’s also an actual religion. In the UK,
Jediism is the seventh-largest religion. This religion has accumulated thousands of
supporters in recent, promoting the idea that all living things are connected and bound
together by an omnipresent force.
“No, we don't worship Yoda,” said believer Ally Thompson. But I won't deny
that the Force is very present in our teachings. Some people call it magic. The scientific
community calls it energy. Jedi believe in the Force, a specific energy that flows through
all things and binds the universe together. Many Jedi also view themselves as guardians
of truth, knowledge and justice, and actively promote such ideals (Beyer). The Force is
compared to other religions and cultures beliefs such as the Indian prana, the Chinese qi,
the Daoist dao, and the Christian Holy Spirit. It is its own religion. Jedis have a few main ideas that they believe and live by. They believe in the sanctity
of the human person, opposing the use of torture and cruel or unusual punishment,
including the death penalty. A society should be governed by laws grounded in reason
and compassion, not in fear or prejudice. A society does not discriminate on the basis of
sexual orientation or circumstances of birth such as gender, ethnicity and national
origin. They also believe in the importance of freedom of conscience and self-
determination within religious, political and other structures. Jedi teachings are generally
considered suggestions and guides rather than rules, so the difference of teachings
between various groups of Jedi is not necessarily viewed as improper or incorrect.
There is one all powerful force that binds the entire universe together. It is "an
energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the
galaxy together" (Beyer). This is a concept