Was looking at the Jedi homepage earlier wondering about something. Wondered exactly what the 'selling point' was for a religion which in the movies requires complete celibacy.
Site says they can marry so it's not exactly faithful to the mythology.
Lightsabers don't exist either... whereas in the Star Wars universe, the creation of one's Lightsaber is a necessary ritual for every Jedi, and they are supposed to hold their Lightsaber sacred to them and keep it for their entire life.
The most important of Jedi decisions were also decided in a group setting or council... or by a Jedi that was appointed to be their personal teacher/guide/instructor aka their "Master". That doesn't seem to be the case with modern Jedi.
Modern Jedi also don't know enough about war, combat, and battle tactics to claim they accurately portray the epic Jedi of fiction.
The "religion" was developed from a fictional source (but inspired by Buddhism and other religions/ mythologies), so of course some adjustments are going to be made to make it suitable for application in the real world. Without the Force, Lightsabers, Sith, etc... modern Jedi culture cannot match fictional Jedi culture. And thus the modern adherents to that religion have evolved it in their own ways to suit their lifestyle and the culture around them.
Regarding the concept of "love", Jedi were encouraged to be, in some ways... sociopathic lol. "There is no emotion, there is peace". But they were not true sociopaths. They just encouraged mastery and control over one's emotions- so much that through sheer force of will, they did not allow themselves to dwell in anger, or fear, or other feelings that could strongly influence their thoughts and choices. But compassion and kindness to others was encouraged. Humility was respected. Attachment was discouraged. Passion was dangerous. And love... love may be the most dangerous of all emotions. Which is why they avoided it at all costs.... because love can bring a pain that quickly escalates into anger, hate, and the suffering of others. A Jedi who was in pain and went out of control had a myriad of Force powers that could become out of control as well- endangering everyone around them. Love often clouds one's judgment. And because the Jedi lived a dangerous lifestyle, their enemies could seek out their loved ones- if they had any. The Jedi didn't have a family... just the Order. Jedi were taken from a young age and communication with their blood relatives was forbidden... for many of the above reasons.
But without Force powers, Lightsabers, and enemies like the Sith... it's not as dangerous for today's "Jedi" to love. However, if they truly wish to master their emotions... they won't allow themselves to love.
I'm not sure how I feel about the modern "Jedi Religion". Not gonna lie... I got some Jedi in me
But I have limited knowlege about how its modern adherants practice their "Jedi" religion. I just tend to study every religion I can, absorbing its strengths and discarding its weaknesses. I know enough about the Star Wars universe that I was able to extract what "Jedi wisdom" I felt could be useful and invaluable for my own path in life... while adhering to nothing but my own True Will.
