9stines- Merthiolate For The Christian Soul

You know there really is no possible way to reconcile Star wars with Christianity. I have seen it attempted by a number of young pastors. I guess the reason why they do it is that there is a smidgen of guilt they are dealing with because they think the movie is so cool. Well, here is my take on attempting to reconcile Star Wars and Christianity.

First of all the religion of focus in the movie is that of Zen Buddhism. The whole concept of the balance between good and evil, light and darkness, and white and black. The religion of the ninja type Jedi’s teaches that there needs to be a balance brought into the universe driving Force. The Force is a mystic power that is actually is carried by midi-chlorians which are symbiotic beings that live in host. This hosts ability to use the force has a connection to the amount of midi-chlorians he or she has. So anyway, there is a strong reference to the Force throughout the movies. There is all the rest of the makings of any other movie such as a western, an adventure movie, or a war movie. All of the elements in those movies are in the Star Wars series. So, if we take that into consideration; that if you as a Christian can watch Westerns, adventure movies or even war movies that it would be acceptable to like the Star Wars movies. It’s that Force thing that gets in the way. So, if I site other movies as examples please understand that I am not questioning ones Christianity because they may like the movie The Wizard of Oz or Fantasia. It’s just that I am trying to make a just judgement.

As a young impressionable boy Star Wars made a monumental impact on my life. I had the toys, the posters, the games, and even some of the weapons. I read the books and I saw the movies. I even watched all of the TV specials and shows that starred any of the Star Wars characters. I also, during playground talk, would discuss the Force and how cool it would be if it was real. Catch that? How cool it would be if it was real. I never for once thought that this Force was real. I mean, here were space ships flying around, strange creatures never before seen, and a battle station the size of a moon. None of that was real, although I fantasized, so why in the world would I consider a religion like that to be real?

Well, as time went on I did begin to wonder about the validity of a belief system that was like the Force. The native American Indians had a similar belief system as did some from the orient. So, maybe there was something to it. Maybe there was some validity to it. Well, I gave that about a week of thought before I dismissed it as fantasy. Even if I had believed that there was a similar religion out there the fact that these Jedi can have powers to levitate themselves and other objects was ludicrous so, I was never in any danger of falling for a false religion. My sense of reality kept that from happening. Even though I was not a Christian during that time.

Now, I have a family. My two boys love the Star Wars movies and even the stories that go beyond the movie series. Favorite characters like Kyle Katarn, Mara Jade and Dash Randar have captured a bit of my sons hero status but never has anything these characters done or believed in the stories influenced the fundamental belief system they have. They know that there is no real Millennium Falcon flying around and there is no Rebellion or no Empire. In fact there has been some acknowledgement by them as to the similarities of the Empire and Nazi reign of WWII. But, again no consideration of the Force in their lives. As a Christian I really love the Star Wars movies. It is a wonderful escape from reality from time to time and it does teach some good lessons of loyalty, honor, family, and yes the triumph of good over evil. But, you know what I like best about it all? It is one thing me and my sons can share that allow us to spend time together and have fun too.