The Return of the Jedi :: essays research papers

The Return of the Jedi     So far this semester, we have stu infractd some(prenominal) different sociologicaltheories of pietism. These theories are built on both the know history ofreligions in the world and the cultures in which they originated, as well as, suitably enough, theoretical suggestions of how those religions, and indeed all religion at all, will fit in the future. The theory I find the most trueis complete(a) and Bainbridges in The Future of Religion, although I like someelements from differents, like Bergers concepts of depersonalisation disorder and secularization.     George Lucass Star Wars trilogy, apart from being incrediblyentertaining and extremely well-made, gives us a complete portrait of a society(The Empire) and a religion (Jediism, for lack of a better term). Although themovies are mostly devoted to the evolution of the characters, end-to-end thetrilogy we see the society change in a drastic manner. This pap er will examinethe history of Jediism, the current (as of the end of the furthest movie) status ofthe religion, and offer some suggestions as to what we can expect from Jediismin the future.          I. The Religion     To examine the future of religion as it relates to society, peerless moldinessfirst have an idea of the tenets and beliefs on which the religion is based.Jediism is based entirely on belief in the "force", a "Universal efficacy field thatsurrounds us and permeates us". (O. Kenobi, SW) Stark and Bainbridge make thepoint that any religion based on magic or magic-like rituals is fated to die outunless the magic can work constantly and consistently. This, they argue, is why many a(prenominal) religions change from lustrous magic, which is quite verifiable (Did he,in fact, levitate?) to promising compensators, a sort of unverifiable magic. Agood example of this is the Christian Heaven. Stark and Bainbridge take it as agiven, however, that magic, or abilities that parallel magic, do not, in fact,exist. This makes an attempt to theorize about the future of Jediism moredifficult, since the religion is based, in part, on the belief that oneness withthe "force" has the ability to bestow extraordinary powers to individuals-- abelief than is vindicated numerous times throughout the series.     The internal organization of the religion is, apparently, entirelynonexistant. There is no leader, nor is on that point any defined structure. Much likeclassical Taoism, various master exist, and students and supplicants must seekout a master on their sustain in order to learn. There is no hierarchy to advance in,other than the ability to eventually hone ones faith to a degree that one can