There is an interesting essay by Britton Peele at GuideLive that connects dots between the trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi and contemporary dissatisfaction with institutional religion. The piece is titled “How Luke’s words in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ mimic real-world disillusionment with religion.” In the trailer Luke can be heard saying, “I only know one truth. It’s time for the Jedi to end.” An excerpt from Peele’s piece:
To these people, the idea that “it’s time for the Jedi to end” is relatable. If you associate religion not with love but with moments like the Crusades, then yeah, I can see why you might be anti-religion. If you look at the Jedi not as noble peacekeepers but as misguided zealots who were mostly wiped out in a war, then yeah, maybe the Jedi don’t need to be around anymore.
The essay has things to say to those religious folks interested in keeping their connection of institutional religion and political and social power, particularly the religious right.
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