Hey, Star Wars was my first spiritual experience!

Is it any different, or worse, to base a 'faith' on the writings of GLucas than LRHubbard?

Speaking of such, I watched the Tom Cruise video and, try as I might, I couldn't see anything worse in the machinations of Scientology than any other fundamentalist...we know the only way...church.

He was sad he didn't get to go against Maul, and wished he had a chance to defect.

Heh. Awesome!

ION, A cute t-shirt of a cute cartoon rabbit holding a bloody ax: Mr. Choppy

I dunno - I think there should be more blood....

The evil kid I talked about yesterday got called up for Jedi training last time he was at Disneyland.

GF totally wants to do that. She won't admit it, but she always watches wistfully when we're in that area at Disneyland.

Is it any different, or worse, to base a 'faith' on the writings of GLucas than LRHubbard?

Well, the distinction in my head is that LR Hubbard came up with a complete set of religious teachings (or at least tried to). It seems to me the biggest problem with creating a religion out of Jedi stuff would be the paucity of source material.

creating a religion out of Jedi stuff would be the paucity of source material.

Good point by you. But, in some ways, I'm wondering if simplicity isn't adherents' friend.

I think I'll start my own religion. Bartlism! The tenants are these: Be nice, cover your mouth when you sneeze/cough, think a grateful thought several times a day and the only true evil is okra.

Apologies to okra lovers but you just aren't following 'the way.'

eta: Another tenant...'someways' is not actually a word, no matter what the misleading spell-checkers might say.

It seems to me the biggest problem with creating a religion out of Jedi stuff would be the paucity of source material.

The Church of All Worlds has done pretty well with much less (Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land).

The major difference between Scientology and other hard-core fundie religions (and what makes Scientology a cult and not a religion) is it doesn't cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to become a born-again Christian. And if you decide later in life that you don't believe after all and stop going to church, Mike Huckabee won't break into your house and steal all your computers.

the only true evil is okra.

::high-fives bonny and then goes back to ritualistically slapping head on desk::

I wonder how John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright are weathering the Cruise publicity storm. Probably a healthy dose of 'phew, glad it's not me!'

The Church of All Worlds has done pretty well with much less (Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land).

But see, that doesn't count, because... I hadn't heard of that.

I dunno - maybe it's just the mental image of these guys playing Jedi knight that irks me. Something about what kinds of robes the Masters and congregation would wear during the services....

If I ever start my own Jedi church, services will be "come as you are."

ritualistically slapping head on desk

No. No. Self flagellation is not acceptable in the church of Bartlism!

Draw near and be comforted, sister Sox.