I agree Dark Lord Rat U.

I mean come on Allen, no offence toward you by saying this, cause I have seen you be inteligent before. Think about that question for yourself for a moment and the answer will show itself, really.

Robert has a point about the Jedi, except one thing. Yes the jedi are in tune with the forse and the force is both light and dark. However the Jedi gain their abilities by befriending the lightside of the force while respecting the darkside and it's power. Jedi did their best to not be bent by the will of the darkside. Robert what you mention sound exactly like what happens to the republic in the first trilogy. The republic was not based on the Jedi's religios ways, they used to abilities of the Jedi for diplomatic reasons, and the Jedi assisted them to do what they could to keep order within freedom in the universe.

I think an organization to train ourselves and others in the ways of the Jedi, or as similer as we can get to them, should be erected first. Mental, physical, spiritual training to be centered and enlightened with strength and ability to live many wise years.

Then those that have attained great levels of each can agree upon a series of trials to determine skill levels of padiwans. To gain a rank, such as Jedi is, whould only be the begging. Studying, training, and growth would never have an endpoint. We will only keep ascending and those with skill mastery in many levels or exceptional skills beyond mastery would become teachers. When enough of us have reached master levels could we become an influential organizations that does not seek to influence. Rather be mediators of peace that already exists, alowing issues to become settled into a state of benefit for all involved. So I'm getting into it when I have only a powerful idea of what it will be, and that is to be determined by the passing of the moments. And what we choose to do with the moments. Choice is ours.

You are absolutely right, Lord Rat. For a strong structure to serve the community it MUST be built on a strong foundation, and in my own personal opinion, there is NO existing foundation strong enough to support or maintain the longevity of an effort like the one being discussed.
If we are to be recognized as Jedi for our constant efforts towards better understanding of the world in which we live, and our constant readiness to be helpful in every capacity we can, then have to start from pure bedrock.
We need to all communicate openly and without regard for other's opinions of eachother in order to establish a clear understanding of what we all have in mind. From there we need to negotiate a very simple and basic overall objective to which we all can strive cooperatively.
After that comes doing our part as individuals, and as a Jedi Order, to achieve enlightenment, and help make the world a better, safer, and more peaceful place.

peace all
the jedi order exists, has always existed and will always exist, yet does not exist. what we are seeing now is an awakening process where some individuals are realizing/recalling their connection. if one is a jedi, he/she will live according to the way of the jedi, which is metaphor for understanding one's own nature and that of the universe, understanding which results in living according to the way of the force (tao).
much love
truthi

To comment on the remark "and when sabers are invented, of course" I would like to say this....

I went 'Mad Scientist' on some ideas to get one that worked at least visually, and while I havent tested my theories, I am sure they will be just attempts....baby steps toward a technology that as we have come to understand it in Lucas' vision, is technically impossible with our current knowledge of physics...

I did a lot of reading up on the subject.
There are a few people out there who believe that a working model could be created by erecting an oblong electromagnetic containment field and then fill it with gasses and the add electricity and get an extremely hot burning plasma which will cut solid matter yet the containment field would repel other like fields thus allowing blade deflection.

I know this is way off subject, but construction of one's own lightsaber has been indicated as one step towards becoming a Master in the ways of the Force...

food for thought to all of us who were the kind of kids who took all of our kewlest toys appart to see how they worked and then put them back together creating bigger and better toys. :)

May the Force be with You all