Jedi, sith, Grey Jedi, Force Adepts, Dark Acolytes, etc.

[Oramac]

I think in general, most people can agree on what is right and what is wrong. There are some differences from culture to culture but most things are universal. The Jedi are in a way, superior beings by nature of their connection to the Force so in the galaxy far, far away, it makes sense to the people of that universe to let the Jedi "protect." I think if we over analyze this, it does not make sense to us, but if we accept that this is the way their universe is, then it is easier to swallow.

True enough.  We are, after all, talking about a completely fictional universe.

In any sense, having the Jedi police the galaxy seems to me to be a better idea then just letting everyone police themselves, as you put it. This seems more like lawlessness. Think about Solo vs Greedo in the bar. Regardless of who shot first, no one thought anything of it. Imagine living your entire life where that was the case and nobody keep order but you watching out for yourself. I think people need to have a sense that someone is keeping them in line even if they are not watching 24/7. The idea of concequences in the back of someone's mind is sometimes enough to keep them in line.

Solo shot Greedo in self-defense, regardless of the version watched.  I don't know what Tatooine's Use of Deadly Force law is, but most free states have well-written Use of Deadly Force laws.  For example, Missouri's UoDF law (many other states have these too.  Missouri is just the one I'm familiar with).   Being that he had a gun pointed at him, Han would have been absolutely justified in shooting Greedo.   I'm more than happy to have people police themselves.  Laws against murder are good, and we definitely need them to prosecute those who would do us unprovoked harm.   Consequences is one reason that concealed carry laws have proven so effective in every place they've been implemented.  The criminal knows there is an added possible consequence of him getting shot/killed.  That is itself a deterrent.  

All in all, the only person responsible for me and my safety is me.

[James Casey]

Tattooine is sort of displayed as being lawless - at least, Mos Eisley is. And justified or not, in a lawful society what Han should have done was stick around and wait for the law... not that the Imperials would have cared one way or another about an alien being killed.

I suppose you could pass it off as Greedo being a bounty hunter, who seem to be expected to just accept the consequences of their career choice, however bad that may go for them. If a hunter goes after prey too big for them, tough luck for them and, in Greedo's case, fine drinking for everyone else...

[TheHobbitofDune]

Hello Sorry for the long delay.
This is basicly a short roundup of the Jedi church (i know church sounds misleading but it was needed to get a permit from the state...) which i deem myself a member off. You maybe read about all the guys n gals in Australia which voted Jedi on a nationwide questioning for their believes? These are a bunch of people with many more in London, Germany, Canada, America, Mexico and so on.
The basic believes Lucas used to create the Jedi originate from believes and ideals which are already millenia old.
So this group is a lot older than star wars but the title made it accessible for everyone.

Oh, I thought you were referring to the actual Jedi Order from the SW universe. I didn't know you were talking about real life. Sorry.

[Kitra]

Oh, I thought you were referring to the actual Jedi Order from the SW universe. I didn't know you were talking about real life. Sorry.

No worrys.

In SW there are a lot of rituals actually.

[chicago.jedi]

True enough.  We are, after all, talking about a completely fictional universe.

Solo shot Greedo in self-defense, regardless of the version watched.  I don't know what Tatooine's Use of Deadly Force law is, but most free states have well-written Use of Deadly Force laws.  For example, Missouri's UoDF law (many other states have these too.  Missouri is just the one I'm familiar with).   Being that he had a gun pointed at him, Han would have been absolutely justified in shooting Greedo.   I'm more than happy to have people police themselves.  Laws against murder are good, and we definitely need them to prosecute those who would do us unprovoked harm.   Consequences is one reason that concealed carry laws have proven so effective in every place they've been implemented.  The criminal knows there is an added possible consequence of him getting shot/killed.  That is itself a deterrent.  

All in all, the only person responsible for me and my safety is me.

I think too much of this criticism of the Jedi stems from us trying to apply our own world to the Star Wars universe. We do not have Jedi in our world. There is nothing we can directly compare the Jedi to. We do not have beings with that kind of magical (for lack of a better word) power.

I find it amusing that when it comes to the Sith, we all accept them as the bad guys. Even with the logic and order they use, we still see them as evil and move on. But the Jedi, we love to play devil’s advocate with and find fault in what they do. This happens with most do gooders and it is our nature. In the Star Wars universe, the Jedi are the sworn protectors of the galaxy. They cannot please everyone. They do the best they can within the code they hold themselves to. For that matter, look at how Palpatine turned the universe against them with his word only. Talk about above the law. There was absolutely no accountability. I think the Jedi need a break. They mean good. It seems like a truly thankless job.

I like the idea of the Jedi serving and protecting the galaxy. Call me naïve, but the thought of them looking out for the galaxy is comforting. I am willing to believe in them as doing the right thing. As the journeyman told me, you have to believe in something. If you question everything, you will never be happy with anything.

The Jedi are meant to be the good guys. I am content to believe the Jedi are the infallible protectors of a fictitious universe. It gives me hope and makes me happy to think so.

[Oramac]

Tattooine is sort of displayed as being lawless - at least, Mos Eisley is. And justified or not, in a lawful society what Han should have done was stick around and wait for the law... not that the Imperials would have cared one way or another about an alien being killed.

Know what the police do in that situation?  They draw chalk lines and try to comfort the next-of-kin.  We are a lawful society, and we have Deadly Force laws for exactly this reason. 

I think too much of this criticism of the Jedi stems from us trying to apply our own world to the Star Wars universe. We do not have Jedi in our world. There is nothing we can directly compare the Jedi to. We do not have beings with that kind of magical (for lack of a better word) power.

Probably true.  Guess I should cut them a little slack.

I find it amusing that when it comes to the Sith, we all accept them as the bad guys.

I know I'm the minority, but I don't think the Sith are inherently evil.   But that's a discussion for another thread.

The Jedi are meant to be the good guys. I am content to believe the Jedi are the infallible protectors of a fictitious universe. It gives me hope and makes me happy to think so.

Tortured logic here.  Believing they are infallible when one of the major characters of the universe is a fallen Jedi doesn't really work.

[chicago.jedi]

Tortured logic here.  Believing they are infallible when one of the major characters of the universe is a fallen Jedi doesn't really work.

Anakin is a very poor example of what the Jedi are and Star Wars would be very boring story if he was.

[Oramac]

Anakin is a very poor example of what the Jedi are and Star Wars would be very boring story if he was.

I agree.  But he also proves beyond any doubt that Jedi are fallible.

[Kitra]

I agree.  But he also proves beyond any doubt that Jedi are fallible.

He was the choosen one. His destiny was already settled without the chance of change through his own choices.
Since his destiny was already settled he cannot be taken as an example at all.
Created through Darth Plagueis and forseen and manipulatet from afar by the seers of Palpatine as well as one of the greatest Sith himself there was a to powerful hold over his destiny.

[Master Rel]

I agree.  But he also proves beyond any doubt that Jedi are fallible.

All that this proves is that he was human.

Being human is to be fallible...to be creative...to be all that we can possibly be.

[RLYHYPERGUY]

I don't like being tied to any group. I just do what I think is right. In certain situation I will align myself with certain teams, but overall I prefer to be separate.

My biggest problem with the whole "Jedi vs. Sith" thing, or any "teams" for that matter, is that every member gets lumped into that groups ideology. While there may be a lot of members who completely agree with this ideology, there may be members who only partially agree. These "partial" members receive the unfortunate fate of being judged and treated like someone or something they know they're not.

In short, I don't see it as "Jedi vs. Sith." Sure, it's fun to have a clear "good" and "evil," but in reality things are not always so clear. I judge every person I meet based on their own merits, and do the same for characters in fictional universes.

Those are my thoughts on the matter. Hopefully I didn't misunderstand the topic or anything. 

[Oramac]

He was the choosen one. His destiny was already settled without the chance of change through his own choices.
Since his destiny was already settled he cannot be taken as an example at all.
Created through Darth Plagueis and forseen and manipulatet from afar by the seers of Palpatine as well as one of the greatest Sith himself there was a to powerful hold over his destiny.

Sorry.  Chosen One or not, his choices were not set in stone any more than yours or mine are.  He could have chosen not to stop Mace from killing Palp.  He could have done a million things differently.  He didn't.  But it was still a choice he had to make. 

[Master Rel]

I don't like being tied to any group. I just do what I think is right. In certain situation I will align myself with certain teams, but overall I prefer to be separate.

My biggest problem with the whole "Jedi vs. Sith" thing, or any "teams" for that matter, is that every member gets lumped into that groups ideology. While there may be a lot of members who completely agree with this ideology, there may be members who only partially agree. These "partial" members receive the unfortunate fate of being judged and treated like someone or something they know they're not.

In short, I don't see it as "Jedi vs. Sith." Sure, it's fun to have a clear "good" and "evil," but in reality things are not always so clear. I judge every person I meet based on their own merits, and do the same for characters in fictional universes.

Those are my thoughts on the matter. Hopefully I didn't misunderstand the topic or anything. 

That does make sense on the one hand, but, without support...without direction...without guidance...without others in a group situation, it is unlikely to achieve much further than a raw stage.

An occasional untrained type makes it, but this is by far the exception and not the rule.

[RLYHYPERGUY]

That does make sense on the one hand, but, without support...without direction...without guidance...without others in a group situation, it is unlikely to achieve much further than a raw stage.

An occasional untrained type makes it, but this is by far the exception and not the rule.

Haha I didn't say be untrained or anything! It's important to be trained, but it's also important to think for yourself. Does that make sense?

[Darth Severus]

Sorry.  Chosen One or not, his choices were not set in stone any more than yours or mine are.  He could have chosen not to stop Mace from killing Palp.  He could have done a million things differently.  He didn't.  But it was still a choice he had to make. 

Did he have to make it or was it made for him?
Before he was the chosen one he was darth Vader, for it to be a prequel he had to go down that path. This is a fictional story that started half way through.

If we were talking about real life, or even normal character development in fiction I'd agree with you, but here, that choice was made around 1980.