I'm an atheist. I see recurring religious messages on these blogs from time to time, so I know not everyone is. I think it's time that I share some of my views on the matter in a blog of my own.

One thing that annoys and disappoints me on these blogs from time to time is when someone makes the connection between Star Wars and spirituality. So I thought I'd give my counterpoint. These are ten ways in which Star Wars sends a message that is at odds with most major western religion, especially Christianity.

Before we begin, I'm aware that you can also construct pro-religious arguments from the saga. I'm also aware that most people aren't going to be swayed by arguments against the the themes of a movie. I'm aware that not all of these apply to every belief, and I'm aware that most people will have varying and different beliefs, even within the same religion. Spare me complaints and excuses, but feedback and discussion is always welcome.

Anakin's failure. Why did Anakin fall? Well, Darth Sidious helped, to be sure, but why didn't the Jedi Order prevent it? The Jedi had a dogmatic, narrow view, that told him that what he felt was wrong. There was nothing they would do to prepare him or help him, because it was wrong Abstinence only education His faithful accordance with those rules only lasted for so long before the dam broke, and his troubles, forced into suppression by the teachings of the Jedi. And when it rains it pours. Instead or nurturing him, the Jedi forced him into a position to make a radical decision Gay suicide. Religious doctrine does the same, making harsh rules where none should be, and forcing dissenters to emerge more radical than they ought to be.


Luke's triumph. Why did Luke succeed? Obi-Wan and Yoda tried their hardest to convince Luke to believe what they believed, to think like they did. The Jedi had been mistaken in the PT, and they were still mistaken in the OT, but kept trying to get Luke to agree with them. Luke went of on his own, and they presumed the galaxy doomed. But Luke succeeded because he didn't follow them completely. He knew what was right through personal insight. He knew what was right in himself, he didn't accept the incorrect teachings of his religious mentors.

Instead of going to Church to ask the pastor for answers, he figured it out himself, ignored what the ignorant pastor said, and saved the galaxy.

The Death of the Jedi Order. Perhaps the most moving part of the prequels is Order 66. We see the frailness of the Jedi Order. Despite holding great power in both the government and the world, the Jedi order was fragile. Like every other religion, it was not immutable or unbeatable. It was defeated and shown it's weakness, and when it did return, it was very much changed. The religion of the Jedi is not a constant, immutable thing. Just like real religions, it changes.

Dying for sins doesn't work. I'll get a lot of flack for this one, but I've always felt that the "Christ died for our sins" thing is one of the most absurd concepts in religion, (yet, ironically, one of the most important). I'm glad to see that the GFFA doesn't seem to support the idea either.
Padme's death. Anakin's loved one, drove to opposition by his actions, killed by his actions. Anakin bared the full weight of her death. Her loss drove him to anger, her death drove him to grief, and it helped drive him to submission and hopelessness.
Luke's not death. What did save Anakin? Luke, on the floor sacrificing himself. Not for Anakin's sins. Luke rejected the Emperor for his beliefs, and the beliefs of his true father. And Luke was being tortured for it. But because of Luke's hope, he didn't die, he survived. But just being in that position led Vader to redeeming himself. Vader didn't kill Palpatine because Luke died, he killed Palatine to save Luke's life, and that saved Anakin, not the good guy dying.
Obi-wan's death? Obi-wan sacrificed himself. What did that do? For Luke, well, no sins involved. It was Obi-Wan's time, and he was giving Luke a lesson. Vader though, Obi-Wan might have been dying for Vader's sins.... Unfortunately, nothing happened.

The Force is created by life. The Force, the existence of spirituality in the galaxy, was caused by life itself. Life came first. The Force serves life, and the Jedi serve the Force. Life is what the Jedi mean to protect and uphold, it's what's important. They serve life because it's right. They don't serve some creator who they feel indebted to. The Jedi have their priorities straight.

The Force is optional. Padme, Admiral Ackbar, Wedge Antilles, Han Solo, Boba Fett. They don't touch the Force. They know it's there, but they don't have to serve it. As great or useful as it may be, not everyone has the responsibility or ability to serve it. The Jedi religion and philosophy is not a universal truth that everyone must follow, admirable as it may be.

The Force has two sides on equal footing. The Light Side and the Dark Side. There is nothing biased about the Force, dictating what is right or what will happen. There is no inherent benevolence in the Force. It's helpful and guides people, but also helps people shooting lightning from their fingertips. It's a whole entity, with flaws and opposites, just like every single other living creature in existence. There's a battle that must be decided by the users of the Force, because the Force itself plays no sides.

Likewise, the Force has nobody's interests in mind. In fact, it doesn't have a mind. If the Force had anyone's interest in mind, I don't think the Empire would ever have existed. If it was planning for some sort of greater good, then I think that it's abundantly obvious that that good is on such a high level that it is of virtually no use or meaning to anyone.

The Yuuzhan Vong. Religious zealots to the very core. Everything about their gruesome culture and actions was forced and defined by religious beliefs. They invaded, they tortured, they murdered, all because of their belief that they have to murder all the infidels. No peace could be made with them while they were in such a state of self-righteousness. People doing things they shouldn't and wouldn't because their "Gods" tell them to: that's what religion is all about, and that's what makes it so dangerous.

Action, not Prayer. What made the Jedi so effective? Was it their faith that the Force would bail them out? No. They took action. They used the Force, because mere prayer was pointless. Everyone in Star Wars takes action. When someone needs to be saved, no one is in solemn religious contemplation. When something is wrong, some one does something. Heck, even C-3PO, the one character who does the least useful action doesn't pray for salvation from some greater entity, he just complains a bunch. In fact, the closest we ever get to prayer is in the Prequels with the Jedi, and their ingenious "Gee, I hope that Anakin thing works out," approach.

Regardless, Happy Easter!

NOTE: Comment space has been totally filled, but if anyone wants to continue the discussion or say anything else to me, feel free to email me. (Theres a button on the left.) I'm sorry commenting is limited on these blogs (and I also feel a bit guilty for snagging last word down there. )