Would you Join the Church of the Jedi?

Many people don’t take this seriously, thinking a religion inspired from a movie is just as fictional as the movie. But, what is a religion, if not something inspired by something else, essentially.

How far is it from Pagan/Wiccan/Witch ideals? There is a lot in common including:

A belief in the force. The force being a term used for this religion in particular. Substitute god, nature, life, energy, etc. Most religions have some version or style of “the Force”.
They live mindfully, in the present, and have rules and expectation for behaviour.
They meditate and work to keep a sense of calm and balance.
They believe in the law of attraction, peace, justice, compassion, destiny and life after death.

If this interests you, read more:

Temple of the Jedi Order

The Jediism Way

Become the Force

The Jedi Church believes that there is one all powerful force that binds all things in the universe together. The Jedi religion is something innate inside everyone of us, the Jedi Church believes that our sense of morality is innate. So quiet your mind and listen to the force within you!

I suppose that they must have lightsabers and robes in their religious equipment.

Now, this doesn’t sound that bad, because most of the religions in the world are founded on the belief in some supreme power in the Universe, but only Jediist based their beliefs on Star Wars SF movie. Insane?

Source – Weird Worm – Top 5 Most Bizarre and Absurd Registered Religions

Not insane, just different. Interesting to see how a new religion develops.

A Religion About Gaia and Stewardship of the Earth

I’ve read a little about Church of All Worlds. It seems to get a variety of descriptions and definitions. But, I believe it is a religion based on caring for the planet, the Earth and Gaia/ Gaea. It is interesting to read more about. I also believe caring for our planet, stewardship of of resources, the animals and plants is very important, necessary. This is why I call myself an Earth Witch.

Find more at Church of All Worlds

The Church of All Worlds is a Neo-Pagan movement based largely on a fictional religion featured in Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land. They espouse pantheism, the belief that everything is a part of an all-encompassing God. They recognize deities of various traditions, such as Gaea (The Earth Mother-Goddess), Father God, as well as the realm of Faeries. In short, their only real dogma is a lack of exclusive dogma – that there are no specific beliefs, and the only sin is hypocrisy.

Source – Weird Worm – 10 Bizarre Fringe Religions

Do You Believe in Ancient Aliens?

The idea of ancient aliens is really interesting to me. I do think it is believable. But, beyond that, who knows. No one still alive would know.

It is possible aliens, extra terrestrials, visited our planet while we were a new species. Maybe before we became what is recognized as human beings now. Did they think we had potential? Maybe we could be of some use to them? Were we a resource for something, an interesting species (I hesitate to say bug) to watch? Possibly an experiment to see what we did with their ideas and basic technology, like the wheel.

Any new technology would have been mystical and magic looking to early people. I believe religion was invented to make people feel safer in a world where they had lightening in the sky, huge animals, vast space and not much control or understand of any of it. But, who knows. Maybe ancient aliens came along and helped them along. It’s possible.

More information – The Raelian Movement

Raëlians believe that humanity has at various points in history been visited by extraterrestrials. The people of ancient and modern times confused the aliens’ technology and power as “divine” and thus based spiritual movements on these experiences, forming religions throughout history. Raëliasm, then, rejects the idea of supernatural beings, instead claiming that these aliens simply had far greater technology than humans. Raël founded “Clonaid” in 1997, a venture to clone a human child, and its bishop (Brigitte Boisseleir) claimed to have successfully cloned a child in 2002 and again in 2003, attracting international media attention.

Source – Weird Worm – 10 Bizarre Fringe Religions

A Better Reply to Those Who Fear Paganism

We are always changing, evolving. Not only do we change ourselves as we get older and value things differently. But, we change our minds as new ideas come in and merge with our existing ideas. Six years ago (on this same day) I wrote a short reply I could give to anyone who felt afraid, distrustful, of Paganism.

“What makes your path better? You offer nothing but threats of harm and accuse me of sinning.”

I wouldn’t write or say that now. I’ve changed and I see things differently. I’m not so eager to change other people or push them to understand or accept anything.

I’d like to know why people fear Paganism, Witches, Wicca, etc? It matters less to me that anyone does fear it than to know and understand their reasons.

Most likely it is still about misunderstanding, a lack of knowledge, and prejudice from other sources who also don’t know or understand. But, that’s how things are. People have to choose something else and they aren’t likely to. It is easier to stay the same and go with the flow of popular opinion than poke your head up and take a chance on forming your own (different) opinion.

As a generic thing to say, to someone who fears Paganism, I would say: “It’s about nature, more than religion.”

I don’t think that will help them understand if they don’t really want to understand. But, its a simple statement, not aggressive or threatening. It doesn’t challenge their beliefs or ask them to change, or think too hard. I wouldn’t offer to explain more and I wouldn’t even want to convert them to anything.

If people ask for more information I could tell them about my feelings and thoughts. But, nothing too personal. Each person needs to figure life out for themselves. It’s not for me to teach or preach to anyone. Especially to people who probably don’t want to hear or listen. But, I have learned that people are more likely to stop and listen to a whisper, than a lot of loud yelling.

Consider that next time you talk to a non-believer.

Canadian Mennonite Historical Societies

I’d like to know more about our Canadian Mennonites. I haven’t taken the time to read very much. I’ve kept these links here for myself and others who would also like to understand and learn about the Mennonite culture, religion, and history in Canada.

Mennonite Historical Society of Canada
Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta
Mennonite Historical Society of British Columbia
Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario
Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan
Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society
Mennonite Heritage Centre
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies
Mennonite Heritage Village
D.F.Plett Historical Research Foundation

How Did the Human Race Appear?

A little girl asked her mother, “How did the human race appear?”

The mother answered, “God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so was all mankind made..”

Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, “Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.”

The confused girl returned to her mother and said, “Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they developed from monkeys?”

The mother answered, “Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his.”

Found on Facebook: The Husband Chronicles.