Actual Churches?

if one is to be built, it should be built in the place, or places that Jedi see as symbolic sites that define the Jedi Order.

MurMur wrote: if one is to be built, it should be built in the place, or places that Jedi see as symbolic sites that define the Jedi Order.

Stonehenge?

MurMur wrote: if one is to be built, it should be built in the place, or places that Jedi see as symbolic sites that define the Jedi Order.

I don't know of any real-world symbolic places for this Temple.

Besides, a symbol is just a symbol of some thing. I would rather we spent the money having the best thing i.e. the best Jedi Temple possible rather than having something symbolic to symbolise a Jedi Temple.

I'm not very big on any sort of symbolism... call me a pragmatist...

Another thing, defense? No structure on earth is without the dangers of vandalism and burglary. Even some religious folk might see our temple as a blasphemy against them and seek to destroy it (probably wont happen, but it has in the past for others). Do we hire security, do it ourselves? Do we install fences and cameras? We cant put our entire sweat, blood and tears (not to mention well intended funds) on something that can be easily damaged by hoodlums and deviants. And what about the safety of others on the property? Can we insure them if they get hurt on the property? These are some real issues that need addressing before we build something beautiful, then have it ripped from our hearts.

Drawbridge!! :lol:

Theft can occur during the building stage as well, of raw materials and equipment.

How about a scarecrow ? A scarecrow, perhaps ...

We could dress him up in a policeman's uniform, and maybe with a guard-dog scarecrow too.

Gargoyles ?

A large circle of salt around the whole area ?

Just s few thoughts of mine on this topic . . .

While I'm not objecting to one or more physical buildings supporting TOTJO activities, it's important at least philosophically to remember that a building isn't what makes a "real church' (the phrase used in the first message in this thread). Buildings can be convenient to have, but a church is a community and the bonds that hold it together.

Secondly, from a practical standpoint - if anyone plans to acquire such a building, be prepared for everything involved. There's the acquisition cost, of course. Added to that are costs of maintenence - utilities, cleaning, perhaps furnishing, an occasional paint job or fix to the plumbing, care of the landscaping (if any), and property tax. A building takes parenting, in a sense.

Finally, off on a more humorous tangent . . . I recently took a drive through a local community named Ocean Beach, commonly referred to by its initials - OB. It's the quirky part of town, where only small, local enterprises are the sort of businesses allowed. The populace is a fabulous mix of artists, spiritual renegades, political activists, homeless folk, surfers, and of course a sizeable contingent of people who, while less colorful, strive like most of us to keep the stores open and the lights on. I took a wrong turn at one point of my drive, and, given the nature of the community, was surprised to find myself on a street lined with many mainstream churches - Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, and so on.

And there, in the midst of them all - I am not making this up - one church honored its hosting community by incorporating the name of the community into that of the church. The OB1 church!

Anyone familiar with Ocean Beach firsthand would see how this fits right in with the community, but I nevertheless couldn't help but smile.

Omhu Cuspor wrote: Just s few thoughts of mine on this topic . . .

While I'm not objecting to one or more physical buildings supporting TOTJO activities, it's important at least philosophically to remember that a building isn't what makes a "real church' (the phrase used in the first message in this thread). Buildings can be convenient to have, but a church is a community and the bonds that hold it together.

Secondly, from a practical standpoint - if anyone plans to acquire such a building, be prepared for everything involved. There's the acquisition cost, of course. Added to that are costs of maintenence - utilities, cleaning, perhaps furnishing, an occasional paint job or fix to the plumbing, care of the landscaping (if any), and property tax. A building takes parenting, in a sense.

Finally, off on a more humorous tangent . . . I recently took a drive through a local community named Ocean Beach, commonly referred to by its initials - OB. It's the quirky part of town, where only small, local enterprises are the sort of businesses allowed. The populace is a fabulous mix of artists, spiritual renegades, political activists, homeless folk, surfers, and of course a sizeable contingent of people who, while less colorful, strive like most of us to keep the stores open and the lights on. I took a wrong turn at one point of my drive, and, given the nature of the community, was surprised to find myself on a street lined with many mainstream churches - Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, and so on.

And there, in the midst of them all - I am not making this up - one church honored its hosting community by incorporating the name of the community into that of the church. The OB1 church!

Anyone familiar with Ocean Beach firsthand would see how this fits right in with the community, but I nevertheless couldn't help but smile.

Churches are exempt from taxes aren't they? So that wouldn't be a problem.

How about getting a local group together? If there's not even a few Jedi in an area who can meet at least once a month or so why worry about a building? There was an annual gathering in Tennessee last month and not a single person from TOTJO was there. That's OK. I was not able to go. But if we can't even have a few people get together once a year what good is a church somewhere that nobody will use?

I'd be delighted to have a self sustaining monastery with gardens and guest quarters. There's no sense building the roof before the foundation though.

Br. John wrote: How about getting a local group together? If there's not even a few Jedi in an area who can meet at least once a month or so why worry about a building? There was an annual gathering in Tennessee last month and not a single person from TOTJO was there. That's OK. I was not able to go. But if we can't even have a few people get together once a year what good is a church somewhere that nobody will use?

I'd be delighted to have a self sustaining monastery with gardens and guest quarters. There's no sense building the roof before the foundation though.

I don't get it... I mean I don't understand the logic behind "large, frequent gatherings" = "ok to make a temple now". We are Jedi... the one-in-a-millions. So in England you have what like 50 jedis? Corresponding to 50 million population... The US probably has 300...

If you do it like a monastery(e.g. intentional community) you could get people to come live there and you don't need huge numbers. In fact all you need is 8 people . If you do it like those guys in Arizona with earth-ships, even moneyless jedi can come and build a house out of dirt(aka adobe).

You just have to decide whether or not you're willing to live next to someone like the people on this website or whether you'd rather live next to random people. Isn't there a reason we're all here? Seeking out a community of like-minded individuals? How many people have posted something like "I finally found my tribe"? You could even have different groups within that same community and even cliques and clubs and bands and whatnot...

Or you could just take the blue pill– the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe...