Today is Star Wars Day, on which people greet each other saying, “May the 4th Be With You!” I know, it’s a bad joke. But life is so dreary without such frivolity. I sent out 20 SMS with the message this morning and received back the following responses:
And altho with you!
Cheers! But unlike Moses who God sent forth, I came fifth and got a teapot.
Thank you O Jedi companion! Looking forward to joining you in the battle for good once more!
What would you write as a response?
The day would have been much more interesting if we’d all joined in No Pants Day, a festival held at the University of Austin by people with nothing better to wear. It’s a day for wearing no trousers. Recommended clothing includes thick, appropriately modest boxer shorts, though bloomers, slips, briefs, and boxer briefs all work as well.
I spent the second half of yesterday with a group of thirty Uniting Church youth leaders from around the South East corner of Queensland.
First up was a trip to the movies to see Starwars Episode III. We went into Southbank to make the most of the cheap prices at Southbank 5, run by Cineplex. Only $7.90 for adults in the weekends. Compare that with $13 dollars in most cinemas around Australia! It was the second time I’d seen the movie. So at times I found myself drifting off to sleep. Not surprising considering this was the end of an exhausting week.
The evening session was a look at popular culture and theology.
We started with the EDS ads, “Cat Herders” and “Plane”. The Cat Herders ad is written up at Duncan’s TV Adland. The Cat herders ad is a great laugh for anyone running programs for young people!
Detweiler and Taylor
We took a look at A Matrix of Meaning: Finding God in Popular Culture, by Craig Detweiler and Barry Taylor. Barry was on the road crew for AC/DC, an Australian heavy metal band. He’s now over in Los Angeles connected up with New Ground, an alternative worship gathering. Craig is associate professor of mass communications at Biola University.
We looked at a few of the ten life maxims according to advertising, as portrayed by Detweiler and Taylor. There are strong connections with youth ministry and advertising - in the way we present Jesus not as a product but as the one who challenges young people to live on the edge, challenge assumptions, live life to the full etc.
The “ten commandments” of advertising…
Control Your Own Destiny
Prioritize Your Life
Get Connected
Don’t Believe the Hype
Get Real
Be Proud of Who You Are
Reinvent Yourself
Be Yourself
Have No Fear
Break the Rules
Star Wars
And then to Star Wars.
We looked at the relationship between Anakin and Padme. The early stages of love that never grew to genuine maturity. Anakin is concerned for his possession of love, more than in Padme herself.
And then there’s the mentor relationship between Obi Wan and Anakin. Mentoring is big in youth ministry. It works best in an environment of honesty. Obviously Anakin found it difficult to be transparent with Obi Wan. We looked at the realities youth leaders face when those they mentor make decisions that lead to destruction. I told the story of the the local school admin block being burnt down by a member of my youth group. Definitely a low point!
The path toward destruction for Anakin and the Jedi was marked by significant opportunities for redemption. There were many points at which Anakin could have turned back to the way of the Jedi. He was not doomed from the start. We noted that those opportunities would continue right through to the point of his death when he does return as the Jedi.
We considered the weight of responsibility held by the church as it hands over responsibility to young leaders who may make mistakes. It is better to allow for mistakes than to frustrate them with lack of opportunity, sending them inevitably into exile and perhaps the dark side!
“Never underestimate the power of the dark side”. So says Yoda to Luke in the second Star Wars trilogy. Words learnt from bitter experience.
I took time out to see Episode III this morning.
At this point I’m thinking about the connection between the force and love in Star Wars. There’s a lot in this episode about the fear of loss and its connection with evil. Loving freedom enough to fight as its advocate can become twisted if one becomes addicted to being the advocate. Compassion for a loved one can become an evil passion if one does not let go of entitlement. I’m reminded of CS Lewis’ story, “The Great Divorce”, in which a mother’s selfish love for her child consumes her in a way that prevents her from truly loving.
I thought the scenes between Anakin and Padme seemed stilted and over sentimentalised. And maybe they were meant to be that way. Padme wonders if they really have connected as real people truly seeing each other. Or are they still in love with their perception of each other. Dishonesty can enter loving relationships when one is afraid of being rejected. Likewise, self deceit can raise its head when one is afraid of being disappointed. Knowing and expressing the truth are pivotal in the resistance of fatal addiction.
We took a look at 
