I am no star wars fan, although I like the movies and have watched them, But I do not know loads about the so called theology of the original trilogy.

I remember a while back talking to someone online who lived in a Christian Texan town in the US, she told me that when she was at school they where made to watch the Star Wars movies, I thought it a little odd until she said that apparently its to teach the pupils about good and evil, and about how having faith (or using the force in Star Wars) can overcome evil. Then it clicked that we where shown Star Wars at the end of term when I was at school, and it was the religious studies teacher that suggested we all watch it.

To this day the meaning of what exactly "the force" is has not been properly understood, could the force be God, or faith its self?

The movie starts with a simple scripture that scrolls up the screen, on the basic overview of how good and evil are in conflict "A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." which can be said about most religions being God and a devil that are in a spiritual battle.

The movie also has a leader of both good and evil forces such as Darth Vader ect, there are also scenes where one of the characters walks of into the desert on his own, and learns personal lessons.

There is even a religion that has sprouted up from these movies called the Jedi religion where its members call them selves Jedi knights, strangely enough its a recognised legal religion here in the UK.

What do you think, do you believe that Star Wars was inspired by religion, or is it just coincidence?

All the best
Faeden

It's my understanding that Lucas took a lot of inspiration from Eastern religions. The Jedis were sort of like warrior Bhuddist monks. But with the newer films I can see some Christian similarities in Anakin's "immacualte conception".

Mainly, though, Lucas employed what Joseph Campbell called mythology paradigms. These are elements that are present throughout all the great, lasting myths and legends: the hero's journey, the struggle against the father, etc. You'll see it in everything from Hercules to Beowulf to the Tales of King Arthur.

I'd say all things are good and evil not just religion it's the ying and yang.....As for the force it's just that its an unknown unseen unexplainable thing that causes things to happen. I don't think it has to be religion I think all things are in that same basic simple format....I mean aren't all movies like that? a good guy and a bad guy? and for some reason the good guy always has something on his side that helps him win over the evil right? it's human nature to go there so wether or not it was based on some religious thing just seems silly to me personally because for that matter any movie could be given that same basis and shown for the same reason.........

exactly jennrose!

lucas used the longstanding archetypes, as well as classical societies, to model his "universe".

I am a BIG STAR WARS fan and a Christian.....and during my repeated watchings of the 6 STAR WARS films I think I have a pretty good idea about what the force is supposed to be, and I've also noticed UNMISTAKABLE similarities to Christianity and the films (wether they were intended to be there or not, I've found them).

1st. The Force: in the films, the force is the living universal energy. It holds everything together. It binds all the atoms and molecules in the human body together and keeps you from falling apart. It binds everything in this way. (if you think about it, there has to be some kind of energy put here by God to keep us from falling apart especially since we're made up of so many small particles....how do we stay together?)...anyway, the force in the films is basically the essence of life, it isn't just an energy....it is a living thing, it dictates the course of events for good or bad. And just like in most faiths, wether it be ying and yang or God and Satan, good and evil is present. In the force the two opposing sides are the light and dark. Both connect you with the living force, but the dark side leads to fear, anger, hate, and suffering. The light side is connected to love and compassion. When someone dies in the film it is thought that they become one with the force, that their soul sinks into the essence of life which is the force....where you pretty much live as a spiritual being for eternity. (to begin with, it is uncertain if you remain concious of yourself when you become one with the force {that is expressed in the book: Yoda Dark Rendezvous}) but later on, with Qui Gon Jinn being the first to prove that you do remain yourself, that becomes what the thought is.......also it is revealed that through certain training (which Qui Gon must have secretly done) you can materialize yourself enough after death to commune with the living.

And that is pretty much the gist of the Force in the films. (I'm way to into Star Wars, I know...lol)

2nd. Here are the BIG similarities between Star Wars and Christianity: in C, or actually J, it is prophisized that the son of man/God will be born from a virgin.......likewise it is prophisized in SW that a child would be born completely conceived by the Force (or midi clarions, which are small organisms in us that connect us to the force {like our soul with the holy ghost/spirit}). In C we have Jesus.....in SW we have Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader). In C Jesus says he will be betrayed and that he will be denied 3 times........in SW we have Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) who in episodes 1, 2, and 3 openly speaks of doubt in the fact that Anakin is truly the chosen one. Anakin also feels that he was betrayed by the Jedi Order itself, as well as by Obi Wan and Padme.........like wise Jesus is betrayed by Judas and Peter denies him 3 times. In C Jesus is crucified, but then rises/resurrects 3 days later........in SW Anakin is defeated by Obi Wan and injured very badly, but he is then some what restored when he becomes Darth Vader. In C it is said that Jesus will return and he will punish the wicked and reward the righteous by granting those who have faith in him eternal life (in other words Jesus comes back and makes everything good).....in SW it is said that the chosen one (Anakin) will bring balance to the force and destroy the sith (the wicked/evil). With the last episode in Star Wars being "Return of the Jedi" in which Anakin fulfills his prophecy (he ceases to be Darth Vader and Anakin returns) he destroys the sith and brings balance to the force.......this sound A LOT like what Jesus is supposed to do (remember the word in the title of ep. 6 "Return").

In those ways SW closely resembles Christianity. It's almost like Lucas just took the Bible and put it in space and added a few things like aliens and what not into the mix.

I hope this helped in some way. And like I said before I KNOW i'm way too into Star Wars, lol.

and most importantly, since the abrahamic mythology is built on these older classic myth archetypes, christianity and starwars show similarities (as do so many stories that use the same underpinnings).

IMO George Lucas was referring to the divince force in the Universe which are made up of gentle wisdom, creative energy and pure love that when you use All that is you e using these forces to create your life. "May the Force Be with you"
Namaste Sheri

Not really a Star wars buff. But I always liked it. I guess it is a good example of good and evil. Maybe it was saying that Luke Skywalkers daddy Darth was a bad man and even though he was bad his son could be good.

Source: next-wave.org

I read an article once (can't remember which), which went into this. George Lucas borrowed from various religions, but most notably from Buddhism and Christianity.

Regards, PA

major duh here. hasn't anyone read "the hero with a thousand faces" by joseph campbell, yet? he even referenced star wars. anakun was even a virgin birth, just like mithras, krishna, jesus, etc.

I have heard/read the same thing.
I heard the light saber sword play was the martial art of kendo (Wooden swords).

Nice thread.

I think if religious people were more concentrated on the morals of good vs. evil, then, oh lets say condemning homosexuals, the world would be a better place. Stars Wars is a better guide to leading your life than the Bible is.

Hey that was a good call Prefontaine!

Edit: Welcome Prefontaine to the UM Forum.

Judging by your profile you aren't a very religious person. Glad to finally find a forum where I don't get chased away for speaking out against religion. Personally I do believe in God, but I do not agree with organized religion. But before I stray too far......


I just bought the DVD box set last week, but haven't had a chance to watch it with school lurking around the corner, and a pile of books I haven't read yet. But when I do get around to watching it, this thread will really give me something to think about.