. . .debuts this coming week. This in mind I thought I’d reiterate what I believe is the proper response to this perverted project of the Star Wars franchise.
There are many observations to make about the radical feminist underpinnings of this new series. I think these are all very secondary issues. Fans make judgements about the sketchy calls and poor storytelling of this or that portion of the franchise. They will all get their fair air time.
Rather instead, I want to call attention to what feels utterly narcissistic, and certainly evil—evil in a way that is self revealing.
In George Lucas’ cosmology, good and evil are seen through Zen Buddhist eyes. George is Buddhist and he has every right to write a cosmology that reflects the values he holds. So for George and the original intent of Star Wars, avoiding suffering is the key greatest good. This is nothing like monotheistic cosmology, theology and ethics, and I could argue it fails in many philosophical tasks as result, but Lucas had and has a right to choose his cosmology as intrinsic to his world building. You can argue that Jedi should be able to marry but you can’t deny the self-effacing, humble and self denying life presented as part of The Good, leads to a great deal of good and reduced suffering. George told a dramatic and powerful series of tales centered on this very Zen notion, that denying self is a way to avoid suffering. The Sith are the opposite: they embrace their most base passions and use them for personal gain. We view them at the height of their power during temper tantrums. “The hate is swelling in you now.” They are evil, at least according to the creator of Star Wars.
Enter Leslye Headlund. Leslye doesn’t care what George thought, thinks, said or did. The Star Wars property is in her hands she feels to do with whatever she likes, and she has been most clear the Force is now female, it’s time to make up for lack of female heroes, “it’s time to queer Star Wars”, “nothing is sacred”, and yes: even the notions of right and wrong need to be changed. We are above them. We, through the eyes of our protagonist whose eyes the audience shall watch, we are “above notions of good and evil”.
This is ancient Gnosticism.
Many may not care. Most don’t philosophize. Most absorb thoughts from around them without two minutes reflection, based upon how a notion makes them feel. Hence the culture of narcissism loosed upon the world.
Upon that self-absorbed culture we are now about to get a very unhealthy dose of evil incarnate—teaching that we are above notions of right and wrong. “There is no right and wrong, there is only power, and who gets to wield it.”
This is as evil a teaching as any could possibly be. You can imagine Hitler’s mantra as he sent 6 million Jews off to gas chambers, and facilitated the deaths of 55 million people—all for some power. You can imagine the thoughts of Nimrod, and Stalin, and Mao, all justifying their horrors while telling themselves they are above notions of good and evil. You can imagine any atrocity rationalized by a lie like this. Believe this lie, and your conscience will lay mute and dormant forever. There will be nothing to stop the evil.
This is EXACTLY what Headlund intends to feed the public, and why for the first time in almost half century, I will not be watching any of a Star Wars project—this abomination, The Acolyte. . I will not support this kind of evil.
That is all.
There are many observations to make about the radical feminist underpinnings of this new series. I think these are all very secondary issues. Fans make judgements about the sketchy calls and poor storytelling of this or that portion of the franchise. They will all get their fair air time.
Rather instead, I want to call attention to what feels utterly narcissistic, and certainly evil—evil in a way that is self revealing.
In George Lucas’ cosmology, good and evil are seen through Zen Buddhist eyes. George is Buddhist and he has every right to write a cosmology that reflects the values he holds. So for George and the original intent of Star Wars, avoiding suffering is the key greatest good. This is nothing like monotheistic cosmology, theology and ethics, and I could argue it fails in many philosophical tasks as result, but Lucas had and has a right to choose his cosmology as intrinsic to his world building. You can argue that Jedi should be able to marry but you can’t deny the self-effacing, humble and self denying life presented as part of The Good, leads to a great deal of good and reduced suffering. George told a dramatic and powerful series of tales centered on this very Zen notion, that denying self is a way to avoid suffering. The Sith are the opposite: they embrace their most base passions and use them for personal gain. We view them at the height of their power during temper tantrums. “The hate is swelling in you now.” They are evil, at least according to the creator of Star Wars.
Enter Leslye Headlund. Leslye doesn’t care what George thought, thinks, said or did. The Star Wars property is in her hands she feels to do with whatever she likes, and she has been most clear the Force is now female, it’s time to make up for lack of female heroes, “it’s time to queer Star Wars”, “nothing is sacred”, and yes: even the notions of right and wrong need to be changed. We are above them. We, through the eyes of our protagonist whose eyes the audience shall watch, we are “above notions of good and evil”.
This is ancient Gnosticism.
Many may not care. Most don’t philosophize. Most absorb thoughts from around them without two minutes reflection, based upon how a notion makes them feel. Hence the culture of narcissism loosed upon the world.
Upon that self-absorbed culture we are now about to get a very unhealthy dose of evil incarnate—teaching that we are above notions of right and wrong. “There is no right and wrong, there is only power, and who gets to wield it.”
This is as evil a teaching as any could possibly be. You can imagine Hitler’s mantra as he sent 6 million Jews off to gas chambers, and facilitated the deaths of 55 million people—all for some power. You can imagine the thoughts of Nimrod, and Stalin, and Mao, all justifying their horrors while telling themselves they are above notions of good and evil. You can imagine any atrocity rationalized by a lie like this. Believe this lie, and your conscience will lay mute and dormant forever. There will be nothing to stop the evil.
This is EXACTLY what Headlund intends to feed the public, and why for the first time in almost half century, I will not be watching any of a Star Wars project—this abomination, The Acolyte. . I will not support this kind of evil.
That is all.
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