The new figures reveal that the lightsabre-wielding disciples are only behind Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism in the popularity stakes, excluding non-religious people and people who did not answer.
Following a nationwide campaign, Jedi made it onto the 2001 census, with 390,127 people identifying themselves a decade ago as followers of the fictional Star Wars creed.
Although the number of Jedis has dropped by more than 50 per cent over the previous 10 years, they are still the most selected "alternative" faith on the Census, and constitute 0.31% of all people's stated religious affiliation in England and Wales....
Rufus wrote: The AV translators used manuscripts and six English works that came before it. These men were far, far, more intelligent and talented... [subjective judgment about long-dead men] They spoke many languages fluently including Hebrew ... [only languages that matter here are Hebrew & Greek, which many modern scholars are fluent in as well] God designated them ... [how do we know this absent extrabiblical revelation?] I know this to be true by the fruit... [Special Pleading (selective use of evidence)] As this book has been laid down and many, many other books have been picked up... for we now ponder "hath God said forces?[you think there were no disagreements during the Reformation? Think again]
According to the Holy Bible, God said "forces", according to a lexicon, he said "fortresses". I'm going with the Bible. [equivocation: what Bible are we talking about, the Hebrew original, or a translation thereof]
Objections noted in brackets. Don't waste time & space, I've heard the KVJ Litany before.
All of that avoids my point. Regardless of the quality of their education, HOW did the Translators become fluent in Hebrew & Greek w/o resorting to man-made resources?
The AV translators used manuscripts and six English works that came before it. These men were far, far, more intelligent and talented than I and I have seen enough to realize that God was wholly/holy involved in this work.
They spoke many languages fluently including Hebrew. They used the works of great martyrs of God such as Tyndale, and Wycliffe. God designated them to refine what was already good to make a masterpiece and make one out of many.
I know this to be true by the fruit the English speaking people brought forth as they evangelized the world with this book. While it was primary, we had great spiritual fruit.
As this book has been laid down and many, many other books have been picked up, we have had a corresponding increase in apostasy and a corresponding increase in disagreement for we now ponder "hath God said forces? "No fortresses". "No forces."... etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
According to the Holy Bible, God said "forces", according to a lexicon, he said "fortresses". I'm going with the Bible.
Rufus wrote: I would discourage folks from having a Hebrew Lexicon as their foundation and point them instead to the Holy Bible. When one does this one will find that "forces" means "forces".
You have a double-standard: the translators had to use a lexicon (or a similar man-made resource) themselves to produce an English Bible, so why not blame them for the same thing? Or are you suggesting that they, or anyone, could translate Hebrew into English w/o a lexicon?
I neglected to mention that KJV v.39 mentions strong holds, more consistent with my interpretation than yours.
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." - Psalm 18:2
"I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." - Psalm 91:2
"My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me." - Psalm 144:2
Dan 11:38 But in their place he shall honor the god of fortresses; a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold and silver, with precious stones, and with pleasant {and} expensive things. Dan 11:39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with glory {and} honor, and he shall cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for a price.---AMP
Neil, you must be doing something wrong! We agree.
Neil wrote: Interesting text, but "forces" here might better be translated "fortresses" or "strongholds," judging from the Hebrew lexicon for Strong's #4581. I don't think the writer had classical mechanics (F=ma) in mind, let alone Lucas's mystical dualism, but rather gods like Cybele, who was thought to have to do with city walls as well as fertility.
I would discourage folks from having a Hebrew Lexicon as their foundation and point them instead to the Holy Bible. When one does this one will find that "forces" means "forces".
Rufus wrote: "But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things." - Daniel 11:38
Interesting text, but "forces" here might better be translated "fortresses" or "strongholds," judging from the Hebrew lexicon for Strong's #4581. I don't think the writer had classical mechanics (F=ma) in mind, let alone Lucas's mystical dualism, but rather gods like Cybele, who was thought to have to do with city walls as well as fertility.
"But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things." - Daniel 11:38
Psalm 14 states; "The 'FOOL' hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
The word 'fool' here can mean 'stupid' .... H5036 נבל nâbâl naw-bawl' From H5034; stupid; wicked (especially impious): - fool (-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person."
A lot of Star Wars, even its vocabulary (e.g. Jeddak → Jedi, Siths, Banths), came from early 20th-century Space Operas: www.moongadget.com/origins/flash.html
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