Conclusions and the future of the force in a galaxy seemingly not so far away

I started this research project as a means of looking into the hype which is associated, ever since the last census, with the religious movement of Jedism. When I started this I, admittedly, knew very little about Jedism and in all honesty I shared the common belief that it involved a group of star wars 'geeks' thinking they would be able to move things with their minds and shoot electric beams out of their fingers like the Sith Lords in the films... how wrong can a person be in their judgement? As a theology student I have always been open minded with regards to religious traditions and their effect that they have on a person's life, however, Jedism is not one that I have given any credibility to... again, how very wrong I believe I am now.

This project has enlightened me to seeing how the religious movement of Jedism is not just followed by a group of people who are fans of the movies but can also be seen to be a valid religion. I was also shocked to realise the sheer amount of information, resources, videos, and websites which are present on the internet about Jedism, all of which has helped me research and comment on the growing phenomena of cyber religion and more specifically Jedism.

The real prospect of actually believing in the Force and following the scales of the Jedi and training your mind seems on the whole an amalgamation of religions such as Buddhism, which are concerned with Chi and meditation and life forces, with spiritual movements where a person is meant to train their mind and be at peace with the universe, does this mean then that the Force actually exists? is the Force just another name for the connection of everything in the universe like the many names of God? could the old WWJD (what would Jesus Do?) turn into a MTFBWY (may the force be with you)? It seems so...

Even so far down to the decision (in the films that is) between choosing the Dark Side or to be on the side of the alliance seems to me to be based on the moral struggle all religions go through, that between sin and morality. Yes, I agree, Christianity, for example, doesn't suggest we listen to a 900 year old frog creature or walk around with lightsabers, but in the application of actual (not the fictitious kind) Jedism, how different are they? I'm sure you can agree not very...

As I have said, this started off as a very tongue-in-cheek research project into the belief in Jedism, but it has developed into a serious debate, and a realization that Jedism isn't as goofy, as geeky as completely fabricated as everyone thinks... it is just met with mockery, disbelief and on the whole is stereotyped into the category of the films meaning that Jedism faced the same persecutions as many religious movements have endured. However, until we see people flying around in tie fighters, light sabers attached to their belts and calling Jedi Councils where we see a variety of aliens sat round a table I think these myths should be left where they are... in the films, so that the true potential of what Jedism offers can actually be understood.

Make of this project what you will, no i'm not saying that it has made me want to join a Cyber Jedi Church or even want to quickly write to the government to claim that i filled the religion section of the recent census wrong and wish to change it to Jedi Knight... but it has enlightened me to the truth of Jedism... something which i hope it will do for you as well!

And if not maybe tis image that i found will:

With the Cookie Monster also on side brainwashing kids from a young age with Seseme Street with his persistence on the need for cookies - who could surely refuse? 

For the last, and final time: