Star Wars: parallels between the Gospel and the galaxy far, far away
By Michael Scovill
The Star Wars universe is a lot like reading the scriptures. Every time I watch one of the movies, if I’m paying close enough attention, I’ll find another parallel or similarity with the morals and values embodied by Christian religion. Before I go into the gospel principles so brilliantly upheld by the Star Wars movies, I shall first like to explore some ideas about the Force.
While the Force may be described as a powerful, non-being, energy field that fails to parallel the attributes of the God of Christianity, it can be compared to other aspects of religion that are most interesting. As part of the LDS Godhead, or Trinity in other Christian religions, the Holy Ghost shares multiple similarities with the Force. We know the Holy Ghost does not have a body which allows him to be anywhere and everywhere at once if necessary. The power of the Holy Ghost that sparks the testimony of every Latter-day Saint and we are connected by his power and presence. Similarly, the Force acts in much the same way as described by Jedi Master Yoda in “The Empire Strikes Back,” “…Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter.” The power of these entities is within us all, and while not much like the traditional idea of the Christian God, the Force and the Holy Ghost share quite a few similar qualities.
The Priesthood, as the LDS religion understands it also shares similarities with the Force. The Force is where a Jedi draws their power. They use it to perform incredible feats one could even consider miracles. Through it they think and see more clearly. They gain wisdom and understanding while also using it to get a glimpse of a bigger picture, even sometimes achieving clairvoyance. The Priesthood is strikingly similar. We have quite a few Biblical references to Priesthood holders performing a plethora of miracles such as parting the Red Sea or feeding multitudes of people with only a few loaves and fishes (The Bible). The Priesthood provides good judgment and insightful intelligence to those who use it righteously and they are even privy to future events if the Lord deems it necessary. The Force is a clear parallel with the power of God.
The moral values portrayed in Star Wars are often interpreted through the religious eyes of various sects. This speaks highly to the values ingrained in the movies that transcend religious bodies and are revealed as higher truths. Greed is a vice dealt with in these movies through the inner, ethical struggle of Han Solo. His character begins the movie as an unscrupulous “scoundrel” who cares only for himself and what he can get out of every situation. Both Luke and Leia argue with Han about his selfish greed when he takes his reward and tries to leave the rebellion to their own devices. We don’t get to see much of his inward struggle, but by the end of the first movie he too is a believer. He goes from referring to the Force as “…simple tricks and nonsense,” to telling Luke, “May the Force be with you. (Star Wars)” Through the journey from scoundrel to freedom fighter he drops his selfish greed and replaces it with a desire for the greater good.
The principle of opposition is common in many religions and also Star Wars. Nothing makes a movie greater than an epic battle between good and evil, and the struggle seen in these movies speaks of the dualism found in the animosity between God and Satan. This idea is best symbolized by the relationship between Luke and Vader. Luke embodies goodness with his boyish ideals and enthusiasm to defend the right. Vader personifies evil with a lack of morals, having squelched any productive emotion from his personality. Opposition between good and evil can be best seen in the dual nature of the Force. Yoda describes the dark side as “seductive,” “consuming,” and with the power to, “dominate your destiny.” The description of the light side of the Force is quite the reverse. Yoda tells Luke, “You can know the good from the evil when you are calm, at peace, passive. (The Empire Strikes Back)” The opposition seen in the difference between the light and dark sides of the Force parallels the clash between God and Satan. The dark side tries to mimic the light side just as Satan attempts to mimic God.
Star Wars has much more to offer than excellent plot, unmatched action and cinematic entertainment. It promotes principles that uplift people. The morals, values and ethics it teaches its viewers speak to members of every religion without prejudice and that is perhaps one of the aspects of these movies that makes them so appealing to such a large following. There are many more parallels that can be made and principles to discover within these films. May we all take them to heart and become the heroes of the epic moral battles we fight as Christians everyday.
Works Cited
Kirshner, Irvin. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Lucasfilm Ltd., 1980.
Lucas, George. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Lucasfilm Ltd. 1977.
The Star Wars universe is a lot like reading the scriptures. Every time I watch one of the movies, if I’m paying close enough attention, I’ll find another parallel or similarity with the morals and values embodied by Christian religion. Before I go into the gospel principles so brilliantly upheld by the Star Wars movies, I shall first like to explore some ideas about the Force.
While the Force may be described as a powerful, non-being, energy field that fails to parallel the attributes of the God of Christianity, it can be compared to other aspects of religion that are most interesting. As part of the LDS Godhead, or Trinity in other Christian religions, the Holy Ghost shares multiple similarities with the Force. We know the Holy Ghost does not have a body which allows him to be anywhere and everywhere at once if necessary. The power of the Holy Ghost that sparks the testimony of every Latter-day Saint and we are connected by his power and presence. Similarly, the Force acts in much the same way as described by Jedi Master Yoda in “The Empire Strikes Back,” “…Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter.” The power of these entities is within us all, and while not much like the traditional idea of the Christian God, the Force and the Holy Ghost share quite a few similar qualities.
The Priesthood, as the LDS religion understands it also shares similarities with the Force. The Force is where a Jedi draws their power. They use it to perform incredible feats one could even consider miracles. Through it they think and see more clearly. They gain wisdom and understanding while also using it to get a glimpse of a bigger picture, even sometimes achieving clairvoyance. The Priesthood is strikingly similar. We have quite a few Biblical references to Priesthood holders performing a plethora of miracles such as parting the Red Sea or feeding multitudes of people with only a few loaves and fishes (The Bible). The Priesthood provides good judgment and insightful intelligence to those who use it righteously and they are even privy to future events if the Lord deems it necessary. The Force is a clear parallel with the power of God.
The moral values portrayed in Star Wars are often interpreted through the religious eyes of various sects. This speaks highly to the values ingrained in the movies that transcend religious bodies and are revealed as higher truths. Greed is a vice dealt with in these movies through the inner, ethical struggle of Han Solo. His character begins the movie as an unscrupulous “scoundrel” who cares only for himself and what he can get out of every situation. Both Luke and Leia argue with Han about his selfish greed when he takes his reward and tries to leave the rebellion to their own devices. We don’t get to see much of his inward struggle, but by the end of the first movie he too is a believer. He goes from referring to the Force as “…simple tricks and nonsense,” to telling Luke, “May the Force be with you. (Star Wars)” Through the journey from scoundrel to freedom fighter he drops his selfish greed and replaces it with a desire for the greater good.
The principle of opposition is common in many religions and also Star Wars. Nothing makes a movie greater than an epic battle between good and evil, and the struggle seen in these movies speaks of the dualism found in the animosity between God and Satan. This idea is best symbolized by the relationship between Luke and Vader. Luke embodies goodness with his boyish ideals and enthusiasm to defend the right. Vader personifies evil with a lack of morals, having squelched any productive emotion from his personality. Opposition between good and evil can be best seen in the dual nature of the Force. Yoda describes the dark side as “seductive,” “consuming,” and with the power to, “dominate your destiny.” The description of the light side of the Force is quite the reverse. Yoda tells Luke, “You can know the good from the evil when you are calm, at peace, passive. (The Empire Strikes Back)” The opposition seen in the difference between the light and dark sides of the Force parallels the clash between God and Satan. The dark side tries to mimic the light side just as Satan attempts to mimic God.
Star Wars has much more to offer than excellent plot, unmatched action and cinematic entertainment. It promotes principles that uplift people. The morals, values and ethics it teaches its viewers speak to members of every religion without prejudice and that is perhaps one of the aspects of these movies that makes them so appealing to such a large following. There are many more parallels that can be made and principles to discover within these films. May we all take them to heart and become the heroes of the epic moral battles we fight as Christians everyday.
Works Cited
Kirshner, Irvin. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Lucasfilm Ltd., 1980.
Lucas, George. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Lucasfilm Ltd. 1977.
