Actual Churches?

Very Well, I shall remain hopeful.

I'm at work and don't, therefore, have time to read 15 pages of posts, so if this has already been mentioned, forgive me. In New York, New York, there is a school that physically exists in which they train martial arts "lightsaber" combat. They use wooden lightsabers as we do not yet have that kind of control technology for using plasma to create a real lightsaber. They also teach meditation and Jediism. They are not affiliated with TOTJO, and I have never been there so I cannot comment on their attitude or the quality of the spiritual side of the training. But as for the combat training, the instructors are knowledgeable in real-world weapon and hand to hand fighting, and are authorized by the state to teach. I cannot provide links at this moment, but I'm sure you can Google it. Again, mostly martial arts school, but Jedi themed, and does (profess) to teach Jedi philosophy/spirituality.

This is one of the longest threads and noticed the guy who started it only had two posts! !

His constant attempt to read every post in this topic leaves him with no time to make any other reply's or topics

While I can understand how there is a lot of work and many challenges to overcome with actual physical churches/temples, I also feel that once physical churches start appearing and Initiates are actually taken into the temple and local communities can see the positive benefits of a Jedi temple, it will do wonders to legitimize Jediism as a whole and improve out Order should we be the ones to begin to make this happen. Now I am not saying I expect someone to go out and make this happen (I would most definitely myself if I had the means, not saying I won't try) but I am merely stating how beneficial to our order I see a physical temple or two being.

Wow... 15 pages takes a while. :sick: What's better than a forum for stuff like this?

To save people the trouble (but by all means, back-read yourselves too if you want) this is what happened. Just the highlights...


- The physical temple would need to serve the people in a way our online temple cannot- so we would need to have a clear idea of the ways a physical temple would serve the Jedi community that would justify it's development. - Hypatia

- Arizona is a good place (multiple people)

- "The temple is inside us" (multiple people). But a "zen like Jedi center that offers meditation, martial arts and retreat atmosphere…"(Xon-Tay Lor) is a good plan (agreed by multiple).

- "…keep in mind that it has been stated before that you will need to be a member of the clergy to run a temple (at least under the TotJO name)" - Hadi Apollos

- PloKoon is a good supporter of developing a physical Jedi group and eventually a temple.

- "At this Temple we focus more (primarily) on teaching the spiritual rather than the practical which is the main point of contention with the rest of the community

We are Jediist while they are Jedi Realist" (Akkarin)

-- WOW!? Is this right?? (me... I'm asking)

- Forums have inherent deficiencies when it comes to communicating. (Jestor and Connor Lidell paraphrased)

- Self sustaining monastery with guest quarters (Br. John, Connor Lidell and others)

- About temple location (one vs many) "You can't build Rome in a day" (John Heywood but added to discussion by Larrus)

- A potential plan is added by Larrus but authored by Jo1234 (which is actually Ro1234) on pg 11

- Pictures of schematic of buildings and layouts are added by Adder (no pun intended) on pg 13

and the New York Jedi school mentioned by Alluvius is primarily a light saber sword play school. (google: New York Jedi)

Jabi Musah wrote: - "At this Temple we focus more (primarily) on teaching the spiritual rather than the practical which is the main point of contention with the rest of the community

We are Jediist while they are Jedi Realist" (Akkarin)

-- WOW!? Is this right?? (me... I'm asking)

This is done with the comparison of other communities in mind but it is true in most respects. Really you would have to take a look at the teaching courses of each of the communities to see it but we are shifting our focus now

As for Jediist vs Jedi Realist, I honestly didn't even know about the separate definition and then didn't really care when I found out lol. But other people in the community (some individuals more than others) seem to make a big deal out of it and by the definitions they provide it is true

Those two terms however aren't even used here because we don't care about that sort of distinction. We're all Jedi...

But nice summing up

May I present you my opinion as an "outsider"?

A church is a religious institution that provides the social administration of a religious believe and a connection between the devine and "the people" by middlemen such as priests...

I therefore do not like the Jedi Order to have churches at all. All Jedi connect directly to the Force through themselves, they do not need middlemen. Our approach is a mystic one (through experience such as meditation and force powers), not mere theological. We also do not adress our believes to the general public and do not demand them to follow. A church creates a social elite with power over others. That's not the way of the Jedi. Jedi do not rule.

It all comes down to what we wanna be. What is "Jediism"? Does it mean becoming a real "guardian of peace and justice" or is it just being a member of a spiritual community that calles God "the Force"?
As in our myths (aka Star Wars) the Jedi are only strong, when united. One Jedi Order. Though many opinion and individual paths, but ONE Jedi Order on the whole. The Dark Siders fight among themselves in constant competition - the Jedi are one. Seperating in such fussy distinctions such a "Jediism", "Jedi Realism" is counterproductive if we want to be REAL Jedi. It's ok though if we just want to stay weekend internet Jedi.

In my opinion we should not try to imitate religions such as Christianity in their fissured ways in order become more "serious". If we want to be Jedi, let's stick to our ideals. One Jedi Order.

I agree with you completely.

Bastian wrote: May I present you my opinion as an "outsider"?

Outsider of the community, of TOTJO, or what?

A church is a religious institution that provides the social administration of a religious believe and a connection between the devine and "the people" by middlemen such as priests..

.




So a church is a building to worship in... Not an institution...

Would you prefer, oh, say, the word "Temple"?

I therefore do not like the Jedi Order to have churches at all. All Jedi connect directly to the Force through themselves, they do not need middlemen. Our approach is a mystic one (through experience such as meditation and force powers), not mere theological. We also do not adress our believes to the general public and do not demand them to follow. A church creates a social elite with power over others. That's not the way of the Jedi. Jedi do not rule.

We dont need a building, many of us agree...

But, wouldnt it be nice...

It all comes down to what we wanna be. What is "Jediism"? Does it mean becoming a real "guardian of peace and justice" or is it just being a member of a spiritual community that calles God "the Force"?
As in our myths (aka Star Wars) the Jedi are only strong, when united. One Jedi Order. Though many opinion and individual paths, but ONE Jedi Order on the whole. The Dark Siders fight among themselves in constant competition - the Jedi are one. Seperating in such fussy distinctions such a "Jediism", "Jedi Realism" is counterproductive if we want to be REAL Jedi. It's ok though if we just want to stay weekend internet Jedi.

May I ask who you think is a "internet Jedi"...

I realize you are speaking in generalities, (on the internet? hmmm... lol...:laugh: ), but, definition is important to some...

In my opinion we should not try to imitate religions such as Christianity in their fissured ways in order become more "serious". If we want to be Jedi, let's stick to our ideals. One Jedi Order.

One Order...

You mean like all of the Jedi of the world under one banner, right?

Well, our first division is, is this a religion?

Then, what is required to call yourself a Jedi...

And the breakdown gets bigger, and faster... lol...

It is too easy for us to disagree, and then start our own Jedi site...

All of these sites sprung up independently, ok, not all, we are a split, but many of the others grew independently...

People focus on what they choose...

In your "internet Jedi" comment, ideally, the internet controllers of the movement would be those best suited for it... NOt ditch diggers with too big of thumbs, operating from their phone most of the time...

Maybe those who couldnt teach say, martial arts, but could sit for hours in front of a monitor...

I wont say what is in my mind, as it is politically incorrect, but, some of us are better suited to some things than others...

Just a fact...

And, as I have said, people focus too much on our differences...

Hopefully, as we are the most open, in my opinion, of the sites, we will be able to absorb the other ideas...

Whereas the tighter the other sites try to define it, the more exclusive they will become...

I dont know, aint no right answer, just trying to adapt....