Star Wars and Spirituality

THE STAR WARS FILMS

• THE FIRST TRILOGY:– STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE

(1977)– STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE

STRIKES BACK (1980)– STAR WARS: RETURN OF

THE JEDI (1983)• THE PREQUEL TRILOGY:

– STAR WARS: THEPHANTOM MENACE (1999)

– STAR WARS: ATTACK OFTHE CLONES (2002)

– STAR WARS: REVENGE OFTHE SITH (2005)

Star Wars - a cultural phenomenon

• Will Brooker: “Star wars… is the single mostimportant cultural text of our lives; it has meshedwith memories of our childhoods, with ourhomemade tributes - from the amateurishchildhood comics to the professional product of anadult fan- with our choices of career or education,and with our everyday experiences. Even in 1977,Star Wars was a phenomenon. For many peoplenow, it is a culture: a sprawling, detailed mythosthey can pick through with their eyes closed; agroup of characters who may have been moreimportant role models than friends or family; and aset of codes - quotes, in-jokes, obscure references -that provide instant common ground for fellow fansmeeting for the first time and that bind establishedcommunities together.”

Religious elements in the Star Wars franchise

• The Jedi and the Force - first introduced in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope”• Obi-wan: “The force is what gives the Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created

by all living things, it surrounds us and penetrates us, it binds the galaxytogether.”

• Original fans of the franchise (1970’s) interpreted this in religious terms

• Obi Wan: “Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.”• Luke: “You mean it controls your actions?”• Obi Wan: “Partially. But it also obeys your commands.”• Han Solo as sceptic - “There’s no mystical energy field controls my destiny”

Religious elements in the Star Wars franchise

Yoda: “Yes, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; thedark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down thedark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice.”

Luke: “Vader... Is the dark side stronger? “Yoda: “No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.”Luke: “But how am I to know the good side from the bad?”Yoda: “You will know... when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and

defense, never for attack.”Religious goal = being in tune with spiritual (light) side of the force: emotions are controlled, Buddhist non-

attachment?

Religious elements in the Star Wars franchise

Luke: “I feel death, cold.”Yoda: “That place... is strong with the dark side of the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must

go.”Luke: “What's in there?”Yoda: “Only what you take with you.”• Key spiritual lesson of Star Wars (Anakin’s lesson)- fear, hate, anger, aggression, greed - all

are only the result of your own nature. Let them go, and you will be free?

Religious elements in the Star Wars franchise

• Yoda: “Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm?Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally itis. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us.Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force aroundyou; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Evenbetween the land and the ship.”

• True reality is spiritual, and wholistic? We are all part of universal spiritualenergy?

Religious elements in the Star Wars franchise

• Yoda: “Careful you must be when sensing the future Anakin. The fear of loss is apath to the dark side.”

• Anakin: “I won't let these visions come true, Master Yoda.”• Yoda: “Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform

into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy.The shadow of greed that is.”

• Anakin: “What must I do, Master Yoda?”• Yoda: “Train yourself to let go... of everything you fear to lose.”

Religious elements in the Star Wars franchise

Anakin’s story

• Lucas has claimed that The Star Wars Saga is ultimately thestory of Anakin’s fall from grace and his subsequentredemption…

• We can therefore read Star Wars as the story of one man’sjourney from superhero, to subhuman, to human - exploring therange of categories central to mythic narratives.

• Anakin as “superhuman” - to be superhuman is to havesupernatural origins (virgin birth), to be without sin (“heknows nothing of greed”) to have special powers (highermidichlorian count than Yoda, prophetic visions, etc.), tohave a destiny (destined to “bring balance to the Force”)

Defining the Super Human

• Anakin as Subhuman - the dehumanizing mask of Darth Vader signifying loss ofhumanity in Anakin. To be subhuman is to be angry, fearful, egotistical,murderous, treacherous, greedy?

• Padme Amidala as Faith/Possibility of redemption. New life, new birth, newhope?

Defining the subhuman

• Superhuman, human, subhuman - To take responsibility, to act, to acceptconsequences. Removing the mask = the rehumanizing of Anakin. To behuman is to love, have compassion, be willing to sacrifice oneself? Togive up one’s self in service to others? To let go of hatred?

Defining Human?