Glad 1st & 10 is a sponsor, but...

[jtstang]

Interesting. I have much to learn about the way of the Jedi.

Of course, I could never be one, my interest in the Jedi is purely academic.

[Eddie P]

Being a Jedi is purely genetic. You either are one or you're not. Actually, that's half true. Being a Jedi is being Force sensitive + training. But you have to be Force sensitive or all the training in the word won't help you. You can't "become" a Jedi. This isnt the fire department.

[couch 'em]

I've never really thought about it, but the whole concept of the Jedi is pretty evil. Here you have a group of people, chosen based on genetics (might as well be an aristocracy) to form a very gestapo-like secret police to do the bidding of the state, with no connection whatsoever with the common people. They live in the special temple and do the bidding of their masters, without any context to truly know if what they are doing is wrong or right. What a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[jtstang]

You are consumed by the dark side.

[Eddie P]

Those are excellent points. I won't debate them but I will make a few minor points:
1) We do not work for the "State" so much as we work with them. 2) We take a very general, secular approach to maintaining a fair and just society.

We're not doing anybody's bidding, per se. I mean, there's a leadership structure, but every organization has one. As far as the wolf in sheep's closing comment, I don't think the jedi are looking to take advantage of society. I mean, there are enough people trying to do that as we speak and not because they are gifted individuals. Just think of the jedi as warrior pragmatists, if you will. Ethicists may also be a good description as well.

Oh, and I don't believe any modern Jedi live in a temple. Maybe some in Asia.