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

Karmic Laws as Commanding Suggestions to Live Life Better

Some religions have commandments. You can narrow most of the list down to “don’t hurt other people”. If you don’t hurt other people, chances are you will be ok, more or less. I do my best to stick with the Wiccan Rede, do no harm. But, it is pretty general and people have found a lot of ways to interpret it.

I like this list, which I shortened to just the headers (read more descriptions on the site, link below).

One thing I like about this list – these laws include yourself. Be good to yourself and others. Help others but keep it sustainable. You can’t give everything, get nothing and keep going on that way. I think this is a good list for people who are artists and perfectionists, to keep at hand.

Maybe its a detailed list to help those who want to spin different interpretations on the Wiccan Rede.

In my own life right now, the law of creation could use more work. Participating fully in your own life, not taking a back seat or waiting for something to happen. Mainly, finding your own motivation and sticking with it.

What about you? Which law could you dust off to improve your own life these days?

The Great Law
The Law of Creation
The Law of Humility
The Law of Growth
The Law of Responsibility
The Law of Connection
The Law of Focus
The Law of Giving and Hospitality
The Law of Here and Now
The Law of Change
The Law of Patience and Reward
The Law of Significance and Inspiration

– Source: Humans are Free – 12 Little Known Karmic Laws — That Could Change Your Life Today

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.

The Wild Church Network is in Ontario

Long ago I heard the phrase “the round church” which referred to religion being outside, available to all, without requiring a building, or organized religion. (More or less). Today I found the Wild Church Network.

There are locations in Canada, the US, Australia, and Europe. I found several in Ontario but they don’t all have websites. The site has a directory of locations which (at this time) include: Toronto, Richmond Hill, Barrie, Fergus, Maynooth, Kitchener, St. Catharines, and Ottawa. Check the map, not all of these locations show up in the search of the directory.

As you may have guessed, the Wild Church is about being in nature, but not entirely excluding being indoors due to weather I’d guess. The idea is to meet out of doors, outside, in the forest. I’ve seen references to eco-spiritual leaders, and forest therapy.

Also, they are not Pagan, or Wiccan, or Witch. Still working with the “Christ Tradition”. So it may not be for every Witch. My impression was New Age more than Pagan, with talk about God/ Jesus. But, it is worth noting and interesting to read about their ideals and the events and gatherings they host.