04 December 2006

The Jedi-Council, Anakin, the Church, and a Wookie


So, holding true to my word, it's a sci-fi post! Not sure if I should be proud of that or not, but I mine as well start at the bottom and work my way up. haha.

I was thinking (sparked by a email conversation at work) about how the Jedi Council and Anakin Skywalker, relate to the church. It's silly and scary and religious folk will think I've turned to the darkside, but it's too late for me anyway.

So, the Jedi Council seeks to bring peace the galaxy. They are selfless and only live their lives in service to others and the way of the force. They work together, support each other, and recognize each others gifts. They are humble, wise, and communicate thoughtfully. They are not perfect, but understand that as a whole they are greater than a bunch of individuals. There is not one leader, but a Council that works thru the issues at hand. They strive to bring harmony to all living things.

Anakin, is power hungry, self seeking, pridefull, and amazingly talented. He's desire is to do good, but he keeps getting in the way of himself. He makes decisions based on fear and he is horrified at loosing what he has. He wears two masks (no pun intended); one that is the learing padawan and the other is the passionate self-righteous man who will protect his own no matter the cost. He hates working with others and desires recognition of his gifts and talents.

So, with the understanding that there is a bit of Jedi Council and Anakin in all of us, which is more like the church - or more specifically - the church leaders of today? Yes I'm making extreme generalities here on a fictional belief system, but isn't there something in us that begs the question, "Which one am I?"

The answer is a bit un-nerving when looking at the Western Church today and I know for myself, I need to look in the proverbial mirror often to make sure I am not heading down the path to the darkside.

So here's a question that's probably as loaded as a Wookie's crossbow (There Nick, I included a Wookie!), but which philisophical system works more like the Jedi Council and which one works more like Anakin? Post-modern and modern? Which would you choose? For the sake of conversation, doesn't the modernistic system invite the Anakins, whereas post-modernity is more condusive to post-modern thought?

May the force be with you~!

3 comments:

Makeesha said...

I KNEW paul was going to say that! Both. hehe.

I responded in a separate post because my comment was getting too long hehe

David said...

Then again, very perceptive you are.
Gift of discernment you have.
Strong it is.
A jedi you shall be.

David said...

ROFLOL I am