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Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
date posted: Nov 10, 2006 10:59 AM
A Higher Purpose: The True Meaning Of The Sith
Throughout galactic history, there have been conflicts between Jedi and Sith. Despite their apparent differences, they seem perpetually united in their desire to destroy each other without hesitation.

Acts such as killing Sith just because they are Sith go against true Jedi teachings, which is why they are hypocrites. The Sith never compromise their beliefs in times of war or strife; in fact it is during those times that their beliefs are strongest.

That is not to say there are flaws to be found among the Sith. While the Jedi flaws are rooted in hypocrisy, dogma, and indecisive inaction, the Sith flaws are rooted in the flaws of those who become Sith.

A person who is weak and greedy, who will slaughter innocents for power, will remain that way after becoming Sith. Look at Palpatine. But a person who is filled with compassion, a sense of justice and order, and a willingness to be ruthless enough to make sacrifices of a few to save many, will carry those traits with them when they become Sith.

Anakin was corrupted not by the Dark Side or by Sith teachings, but by the self-serving lies and machinations of Palpatine. A man corrupted Anakin, not a philosophy or aspect of the Force. But Anakin was not truly evil, and the good he held before his corruption remained, and in the end, he proved to be the ultimate Sith and the ultimate Jedi at the same time.

Anakin was willing to take a life to save many. Anakin was willing to sacrifice himself to save many. But most off all, he was willing to kill one evil man to save one good man, his son.

Some might say, "Who is to judge who is good and evil? Who can be trusted with that power?" One who is incorruptible, one who is willing to put others before himself, that's who. Luke makes those types of judgments every day, yet he fails to act quickly enough which causes unneeded death and suffering.

Yet Luke should be commended for taking the Order in a new direction, for the ultimate path of a true Jedi and a true Sith intersect at some point. When a Jedi lets go of inaction and hypocrisy, and when a Sith is free of greed and selfishness, the two meet in a common goal to save lives.

The problem is that few Jedi or Sith grasp this; they are both blinded to the truth. There is a chance that Jacen will grasp this, yet there is a chance he will be lost to blindness.

The cornerstone of being a true Sith is the use of your inner strength, your passions and energy, out of a desire to create order. The Jedi do much the same thing, the only difference being they delude themselves into thinking they do not.

A true Sith would be willing to slaughter a city of millions to stop a war that would engulf billions.

A true Sith would be willing to commit genocide against an aggressor that attempts genocide against the galaxy at large.

Is there a grey area of what constitutes a necessary sacrifice from an unecessary taking of lives? Always. But there are no evil Sith or good Jedi, there are only good and evil people who happen to be a Sith or Jedi.

Above all, there is one defining question that makes one a truth Sith:
Which do you love more, the power you wield or that which that power defends?

If you know the answer, you are on your way to the path of a true Sith...

vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 11:15 AM
Wow, TIF. This is really deep. It goes into the true meaning of what it takes to be a Sith compared to being a Jedi. You spent some deep meditations to be able to post such a blog on understanding both sides. I really enjoyed reading this. Nice job!!]:)

vadersgirl33
  Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 11:20 AM
Hmmm....I agree that 'people' determine their own destinies (for the most part).

However, I have to disagree with you assessment that The Sith are not inherently evil. Any belief that requires you to scheme, plot, and kill until you, or one of your kind, controls the galaxy is bad in my view. I just can't see a 'good' person choosing to become a Sith who didn't also crave power over others for the purpose of subjugating others to their will or view of life (as Anakin, Dooku, & Maul did). In choosing to become a Sith, you are openly 'evil' no matter how you, or anyone else, views it. Forcing others to do your bidding, whatever your intention, can never have a good outcome.
  Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 11:20 AM
As for the Jedi...any group that does not allow itself to grow and evolve as people/life do naturally is doomed to corruption and hypocrisy - its inevitable. The Jedi Order had allowed itself to grow fat off their success against the Sith (and other baddies) and grew arrogant enough to believe they had all the answers. They stopped listening to the Force. Had they acknowledged that they needed to evolve and change, they might have avoided their destruction in favor of a willful renewal (versus the one foisted on them by Anakin and completed by Luke).
  21212121212
"So be it.......21212121212"
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 12:03 PM
Hmmmmmm. You may be right, but true Sith would call it "A waiste of your anger" if you killed an entire city of millions, and your veiws of true Sith are relating to Jedi in some ways.

21, out.
comanderbly
That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 12:04 PM
Great blog. I believe sacrificing one group over another is wrong. While it does happen in the real world, I still believe its wrong. The Sith believe that power should belong to a select few (the rule of 2). The Jedi share their knowledge and power with eahother and serve the people. While they are not perfect they place themselves in a position to help. The Sith seek power and contol without regard for those around them. The only "order" the Sith have created was from their own visions. Jacen for example goes through Corellian neighborhoods putting others at risk under the notion that they present a threat to others - based on what they might do. Does he save lives? Maybe. Is it right? No.
jkthunder
Seven Pieces
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 12:13 PM
Still not getting your arguement for how the Jedi are hypocrites, but all in all some very persuasive points. Seems your turn to the dark side is complete.

You also have to give Luke some credit though, for coming through at all, given that he was swept up with the task of saving the galaxy in a very short amount of time, and his training was very breif.

I would also argue that the Jedi way does not constitute acting upon passions and desires. It's quite the opposite in fact, and that's a very defining contrast between the Sith and Jedi.

Fun stuff. I know the answer to the last question BTW, as far as what a Sith should desire. But I don't :)
  greenandwhitejedi
Bar 66
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 12:17 PM
Anakin was willing to take a life to save many

Then he was as badly misguided as the Jedi. I cannot think of anyone less qualified to judge whether a human being should die than another human. There is no reason for killing other than the unwillingness to think of alternatives. The excuse that killing is somehow forced upon anyone as a sole course of action is as weak as the assertion that it is willed by a higher power. I have also made the observation that disrespect for human life is most rife amongst those who would claim it is "sacred".
  Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 12:41 PM
Actually, the Sith begin wars, not end them. After all, Sidious was the mastermind behind the Clone Wars, which of course eventually resulted in the Galactic Civil War. He had orchestrated the whole thing. So, although he stopped the war, it really doesn't matter because he is the one who started it. He did it simply to put himself in a position of power and keep himself there. To me, that falls under the definition of evil.
  Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 12:43 PM
I also don't believe that the Jedi delude themselves into thinking they do not use their passions and inner strengths. The Jedi just believe in controlling these things. Just like when someone has an impulse, it doesn't mean that they should act on it every time. Well, I think that's how the Jedi are with their belief in the Force. They only want to use the Force properly, whereas the Sith use it improperly.

What's also interesting is that the Sith never created the order and peace in the galaxy that they promised. On the other hand, when the Jedi were in charge, they had thousands of years of relative peace throughout the galaxy....and without civilians having to stare down the barrel of a blaster.
  The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 1:35 PM
The path of the Jedi is a "high path", a path of morality, compassion, and charity. By its very nature, it is a path that inspires good in oneself and in others. But it is also a selfish path, for the path of the Jedi is not to lead a good life, but to create good in the lives of others. It is to impose your own view of good on others who might disagree.
  The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 1:35 PM
In short, it is far more dangerous than the path of the Sith because the Jedi seek to mold the universe as they see fit, to right the "wrongs" they see occurring. It is rule by group dictatorship. It is stripping the rights of others and forcing them to to live by your will. It is to force them to remove their freedom and do as you say. When power is used even out of a desire to good, but becomes a conduit toward changing things to fit one's own whim, that is no more "selfish" than the Sith.
  The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 1:40 PM
I once held dear the idealistic views of the Jedi. But the suffering and danger I saw around me led to me to realize that the Jedi are too weak and flawed. The Sith path, the true Sith path not manipulated by the greed of those such as Palpatine, is also one of compassion.

The true Sith path is about unlocking your own potential and using it to make things right, but it is also about ruthless justice which the Jedi are incapable of. Enemies must be destroyed without hesitation lest they take more lives. And fear of your ruthlessness will always lessen the number of new enemies that take their place.

It is too late for me to turn back............ but that's stuff for a blog of its own.
The Stooge
Star Wars Joke-A-Day
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 1:43 PM
I was wondering about this lil' Sith obsession of yours... the clues keep coming... interesting...
  Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 2:03 PM
The true Sith path is about unlocking your own potential and using it to make things right, but it is also about ruthless justice which the Jedi are incapable of.
Upon what basis do you make a claim of a 'true Sith path'? Based on the information we have, the true Sith path leads to galactic domination and/or domination over all life, not to mention the Force itself...
  Kenobi-fan
The Jundland Wastes Journal
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 2:03 PM
...It was this very obsession that initiated the creation of a chosen one to right the imbalance in the Force. As for 'ruthless' justice...justice without mercy or compassion is no justice at all. The lack of mercy and understanding simply serves as an incubator for the anger and hatred that will be released later on. I think you should question what it is you FEAR / DESIRE that requires 'an enemy' to be extinguished entirely.
  The Infinite Force
Infinite Galaxy Of Fun - (Retired Archive)
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 2:13 PM
Upon what basis do you make a claim of a 'true Sith path'?

On the basis of my own views coupled with such claims as made in the first two LotF books.

I think you should question what it is you FEAR / DESIRE that requires 'an enemy' to be extinguished entirely.

From my POV, those that harm that which I defend must be cut down without hesitation, for in their attack they make their lives worth less than those of the innocent. By embracing the darkness yourself you shield the innocent so that they do not have to make the dark choices that face you.

And yet...there is truth in what you say. I feel a conflict. Meditate on this, I will.
  darthpateo
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 2:16 PM
this is a really deep blog. i agree with wut u say . i think that as a whole the sith r more evil, but u are right, a person is evil or good, and just happens to be a sith or jedi. take palpatine, hes evil and is a a sith. but revan, was good and was asith. he used his power to kill many , in order to save even more. but there r some teachings that the sith have that make a sith have to b evil. like there is no peace, and the strong should do wut they like with the weak. however, i believ wut u say is very deep and full of meaning, and that many jedi and sith dont grasp the truth. they get blinded with power and ideals.
  Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Nov 10, 2006 3:46 PM
the Jedi seek to mold the universe as they see fit, to right the "wrongs" they see occurring. It is rule by group dictatorship. It is stripping the rights of others and forcing them to to live by your will. It is to force them to remove their freedom and do as you say.

No, the Jedi protected the rights of others - They were the protectors of freedom in the galaxy.
vadersgirl33
vadersgirl_reflections
date Posted: Nov 11, 2006 6:35 AM
K-fan, you raise some good points. I like your angle on this.

vadersgirl33
jkthunder
Seven Pieces
date Posted: Nov 11, 2006 1:24 PM
It is to impose your own view of good on others who might disagree... In short, it is far more dangerous than the path of the Sith because the Jedi seek to mold the universe as they see fit, to right the "wrongs" they see occurring. It is rule by group dictatorship. It is stripping the rights of others and forcing them to to live by your will. It is to force them to remove their freedom and do as you say.

Woah! So say you and your point of view. But this is certainly not reality for many others. That all seems more like Sith stuff and is quite contrary to anything I've ever noted of the Jedi way. But hey, you're a Sith now, so I guess that's who you'll see it ;)
  SlaveoftheForce
Enter the 36th Chamber
date Posted: Nov 12, 2006 7:51 PM
The path of the Jedi is the path of the sage... to inspire virtue and virtuous action in the many while technically doing very little themselves. The path of the Sith is classically the path of a person far removed from the harmony of Tao where rules of propriety and what is right and wrong are so distinctly defined that it CAUSES more discord to arise than not.

Sith don't tolerate any other gaining self-empowerment than themselves, and any that become self-empowered they seek to subjugate to their own wills. We know this to be true of the first Jedi to turn to the dark side 27,000 years ago or so and it continues to be true of the Sith to this day.
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