CalledTheRaven
So are there any other books or websites folks would recommend for more information on any of the force paths as actual spirituality?
Oh, there are tons.
Temple of the Jedi Order, Temple of the Jedi Force,
Force Academy... uh... ah crud, I'm missing another big one. Knights of... someting... CRUD! I never visited, but I feel like a jerk for not knowing. They try to distance a bit from the word "Jedi" due to outsiders' assumptions that we're just geeky roleplayers.
Chieftain Twilight
CalledTheRaven
As a question for such thoughtful types, do any of you have opinions on either of these books?
The Jedi Path
The Book of Sith
I know a young man who it genuinely looking into both paths and was wondering if these seems like reasonable starting places?
excellent question to ask! personally, the only one I have even looked into was The Book of Sith, but I highly enjoyed what I read and recommend it. it has not only relevant information for studying the path, but also great insights into the minds of the characters who "wrote" in it (fictionally, of course).
It's about the same for The Jedi Path, too. I especially like the commentary written in the margins by Jedi, as if the book was a hand-me-down from Yoda to Dooku to Qui-Gon to Obi-Wan to Anakin to Asohka, then confiscated by Sidious, then evenoutally found again by Luke.
Resonare Praeteriti
True, I myself am more agnostic than atheist to tell the truth. I don't believe in gods, no, but I do believe we have forces at work in the universe and within us, much like the light side and the dark side of the Force. They are non-personified entities, raw energies which contradict each other, but at the same time need each other to survive. The reason I identify with LaVeyan Satanism is because...well, let's face it: people aren't going to take me seriously if I tell them my religion is from Star Wars. I can agree with the Sith belief, but to list it as my official belief system seems as if it would get me laughed right out of most situations.
That's pretty much how I settled... sort of. I mean, basically I wasn't happy with the way people depict "God" (anthropomorphic entity basically placed as King of the Cosmos? Oh hell no), but I could fully understand the way Yoda talked about the Force in The Empire Strikes Back.
Depending on the people I'm around at any given time, though, I might just say "pantheist." The Force is a sort of animist... pantheism... thing. And it might get people more curious about what I mean than if I say "Jedi" and they go "Oh, okay," but internally they're thinking, "...weirdo."
Rosemary_Red
At first, I thought this was a topic about the Sikhism before re-reading and looking into your post with my full attention.
sweatdrop
I must admit that I'm a bit intrigued that something pop culture like Star Wars could have this kind of effect on people. Personally, as an Atheist living in the southern united states, I think that it can be hard to express your beliefs to people that can understand, especially if they are radically different. Anyway, I respect your opinion of faith and I hope that it will lead you to good fortune and happiness.
smile
Well, there
are a lot of parallels between the Jedi and Sikhs.
...Just saying...
Atheist in the South? I am so, so sorry. I know the feeling, it's hard to manage around here without being invited to someone's church, or go through someone's attempt at conversion.