Post by Lemur, The Kool-Aid Guy on Aug 23, 2011 19:28:48 GMT -5
The Jedi Order. Guardians of peace and justice since even before the founding of the Republic. Defenders of truth and light, and an inspiration to every sentient in the galaxy with a love for liberty. There are few sights more welcome in the hearts of our Republic citizens than brown robes and the colorful lightsabers of the Jedi, but much about the Order might remain a mystery.
The Jedi Order was formed roughly 22,000 years ago on Tython by the greatest sages, scholars, and warriors in the galaxy; wise men and women who quickly found their role as the guardians of the Republic. They placed freedom and democracy above themselves, and they trusted in the wisdom of that enlightened form of government. They still serve our beloved Republic today, because they were wise enough to see that might didn't make right, and that power had to be used responsibly for the good of the galaxy.
All of them had the same belief in something they called 'Ashla,' which is simply known as 'the Force' today. I was curious to learn more about the Force, so I set out to investigate.
'The Force,' according to the Jedi I spoke with to write this article, is an energy field made up of all life forms, something that unifies every single life in the galaxy into one beautiful portrait. Some individuals are considered 'Force sensitive,' and can be trained to use their innate power for good. The Jedi labor ceaselessly to train these gifted few, helping them become the next generation of peacekeepers from childhood.
In fact, there are so few of these force-sensitives in the galaxy that the entire Jedi Order has a great deal less than a million members to help preserve the peace in a galaxy of billions! Their task is in many ways the hardest one of all, but they choose to do it because they believe in what the Republic believes in: democracy.
But being a Jedi isn't always easy, it takes at least a decade of study to rise from the position of 'Youngling' to 'Knight' in the Jedi Order. The young Knight I interviewed was perfectly happy to share his experiences, though he did so anonymously.
He described his time as a 'Padawan,' a term to signify a learner or an apprentice, as being some of the most challenging but rewarding years of his life. He learned all about helping promote peace in the galaxy, as well as learning to wield the lightsaber, the ceremonial weapon of the Jedi Order.
I asked him a few questions about what it was like to be a Jedi, about what his goals were and what his worries were. He was like many of the brave young men in our Galactic Republic: dedicated to the ideals of freedom and democracy, and willing to lay down his life for them. I was truly proud to be there speaking with him.
But he warned of something sinister and dire; the 'dark side' of the Force.
There were unscrupulous people in the galaxy who used fear, hatred, aggression, and intolerance to harm others. I knew immediately the sort of people he meant; people like the Sith. People with no regard for the liberties we enjoy here in the Republic, those whose only interest is themselves.
Luckily for the Republic, the Jedi are on guard against these unscrupulous users of the dark side of the Force. With their vigilance, Republic citizens can sleep soundly at night and know they have one less thing to worry about in these trying times.
-Lyn Bondara, Republic News Network
The Jedi Order was formed roughly 22,000 years ago on Tython by the greatest sages, scholars, and warriors in the galaxy; wise men and women who quickly found their role as the guardians of the Republic. They placed freedom and democracy above themselves, and they trusted in the wisdom of that enlightened form of government. They still serve our beloved Republic today, because they were wise enough to see that might didn't make right, and that power had to be used responsibly for the good of the galaxy.
All of them had the same belief in something they called 'Ashla,' which is simply known as 'the Force' today. I was curious to learn more about the Force, so I set out to investigate.
'The Force,' according to the Jedi I spoke with to write this article, is an energy field made up of all life forms, something that unifies every single life in the galaxy into one beautiful portrait. Some individuals are considered 'Force sensitive,' and can be trained to use their innate power for good. The Jedi labor ceaselessly to train these gifted few, helping them become the next generation of peacekeepers from childhood.
In fact, there are so few of these force-sensitives in the galaxy that the entire Jedi Order has a great deal less than a million members to help preserve the peace in a galaxy of billions! Their task is in many ways the hardest one of all, but they choose to do it because they believe in what the Republic believes in: democracy.
But being a Jedi isn't always easy, it takes at least a decade of study to rise from the position of 'Youngling' to 'Knight' in the Jedi Order. The young Knight I interviewed was perfectly happy to share his experiences, though he did so anonymously.
He described his time as a 'Padawan,' a term to signify a learner or an apprentice, as being some of the most challenging but rewarding years of his life. He learned all about helping promote peace in the galaxy, as well as learning to wield the lightsaber, the ceremonial weapon of the Jedi Order.
I asked him a few questions about what it was like to be a Jedi, about what his goals were and what his worries were. He was like many of the brave young men in our Galactic Republic: dedicated to the ideals of freedom and democracy, and willing to lay down his life for them. I was truly proud to be there speaking with him.
But he warned of something sinister and dire; the 'dark side' of the Force.
There were unscrupulous people in the galaxy who used fear, hatred, aggression, and intolerance to harm others. I knew immediately the sort of people he meant; people like the Sith. People with no regard for the liberties we enjoy here in the Republic, those whose only interest is themselves.
Luckily for the Republic, the Jedi are on guard against these unscrupulous users of the dark side of the Force. With their vigilance, Republic citizens can sleep soundly at night and know they have one less thing to worry about in these trying times.
-Lyn Bondara, Republic News Network