Jediism’s roots may lie in the fictional Star Wars Universe. However, many fans and even those looking to develop their personal relationship with a higher power have adopted the Jedi way of life as a real religion.
Some governments see Jedi as a real religion, given its tax-exempt status in the United States. Others, like the UK’s Charity Commission, believe otherwise. Jediism is based on several religions, and some can even correlate it with the Christian Bible.
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Is Jedi A Real Religion?
An ongoing debate exists on whether Jedi is a real religion. In an article from the BBC, the Charity Commission stated Jedi is not a real religion, claiming it does not “promote moral or ethical improvement.”
But, is it right for one commission to tell hundreds of thousands of individuals what is and what isn’t a real religion? Or for the state to tell the populace what does and does not constitute morality and ethics?
However, some within the real-life Jedi Order may agree with the UK’s Charity Commission. They state their way of life is a philosophy and not a religion. Others refer to Jediism as a lifestyle or an opportunity for personal development.
Jediism is also a decentralized movement, with each group, like the Temple of the Jedi Order and the Church of the Jedi, offering different teachings.
There is also no right or wrong way for these groups to convey their teaching angles if they remain central to the Jedi Code.
As with any religion, the Jedi believe in a higher power called the Force, just like in the Star Wars franchise. Also like their fictional counterparts, they believe the Force runs through all living things to varying degrees.
Whether Jediism is a true religion remains subjective to its practitioners.
During the census frenzy in the 2000s, many governments cracked down on those marking Jedi as their chosen religion. By 2011, the number of those listing Jediism dwindled.
In the US, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) granted the Temple of the Jedi tax-exempt status in 2015. Therefore, in some cases, even the state recognizes Jediism as a legitimate religion.
Is Jedi a Religion in the Military?
The military has come to recognize many religions, beliefs, or lack thereof in recent memory, like Wicca, Atheist, and Agnostic.
While the military doesn’t recognize Jediism as an official religion, military personnel can place anything they’d like as their religion once it is not labeled a hate group.
Is There a Jedi Bible?
There is no Jedi Bible in real life. However, the Temple of the Jedi Order has a doctrine listed on its website that outlines the Jedi Way. The doctrine outlines the following:
- What Jedi Believe
- Three Tenets
- Jedi Code
- Jedi Creed
- The 16 Teachings
- The 21 Maxims
The Jedi Church, a separate denomination from the Temple of the Jedi Order, has no official doctrine. But they do outline basic concepts, and they provide clarification on their belief system like whether an afterlife or a deity exists.
In both Star Wars Canon and Legends, the Sacred Jedi Texts exist. These comprise eight books that have existed since the Jedi’s founding.
In the Skywalker Saga, the Sacred Jedi Texts first appeared in The Last Jedi.
What Religion are the Jedi Based On?
The Jedi are based on several religions, with many coming from the Far East.
Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Jainism are the most prominent. George Lucas also identified as a “Methodist-Buddhist,” indicating he used Buddhism as his primary inspiration for the Jedi.
Lucas also noted the Force, which Jedi believe in, was non-denominational, stating it was “distilled from the essence of all religions.”
Regarding the Force, Lucas further intended it to be neither good nor evil.
This indicates Lucas even traced the Jedi’s inspiration from nature-based religions that existed in the West and the Middle East before the Abrahamic Religions.
Wicca, the spiritual successor to some nature-based religions, for example, depicts nature with a light side and a dark side, much like the Force. The religion further teaches that one’s best bet is to seek harmony in nature’s light and dark side by seeking balance.
While the modern Jedi in the Star Wars franchise saw light as good and dark as evil, Star Wars Legends showed their predecessors, the Je’daii, sought balance on the Force-sensitive planet Tython.
About Jediism
While Jediism existed for decades, it gained prominence in 2001 when citizens from various nations claimed Jedi as their religion via census polls.
They follow the Jedi Code that features five basic rules, like “emotion, yet peace.”
The Temple of the Jedi Order teaches the 21 Maxims of Jediism as their version of the religion’s starting point.
Most Jediists don’t attend gatherings in person, although this is not unheard of. Given the advent of the internet, Jediists instead gather online through their chosen organization, like Temple of the Jedi Order.
Jediists also realize the Jedi Oder in the Star Wars films as fictional. However, they further acknowledge religious statements that appear throughout the Skywalker Saga, TV shows like The Clone Wars, and novelizations.
Besides the 21 Maxims of Jediism, Jediists also cite the 33 Important Jedi Teachings to Live By. A few prominent teachings include belief in a Living Force, living in the present moment, defending the helpless, belief in destiny, and devotion to their life’s mission.
FAQs:
Is Star Wars based on the Bible?
While Star Wars is not based on the Bible, George Lucas inserted Biblical themes into his franchise.
One involves the belief of pre-destiny that some Christian denominations follow. During The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader commands Luke Skywalker to “fulfill your destiny.”
Following the narrative of Jesus, there are two basic references in scripture fans can point to while asking whether Star Wars is based on the Bible: (The Gospel) Luke: 19:10, and John 10:10. Both of which spoke as Jesus coming to Earth to help humanity reach eternal life.
Expanding on the belief in pre-destiny, Star Wars also contains the obscurity to purpose themes. Luke is the hero in the Original Trilogy, but he grew up as a farmer on the remote planet of Tatooine while his long-lost sister, Leia, grew up as a princess on Alderaan.
Conclusion
Jedi is a real religion to some considering they recognize a higher power and live by a specific set of guidelines dictated by that higher power. In Jediism, the Force represents this higher power.
Some countries, like the United States, even gave Temple of the Jedi Order tax-exempt status, further solidifying itself as a religion. Other Jedi see their way of life as less of a religion and more as a philosophy.
Jedi is based on several religions, mainly those from the Far East. But it also entwines nature-based and even the Abrahamic religions.
You can also find some Biblical references in Star Wars.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.