Ahsoka Tano and Weaponized Religion
Ahsoka represents an interesting piece of the Jedi Order. She was brought into the Jedi temple during war, and says in season 7, that all she’s ever been since she joined the order, was a soldier. So, it’s interesting to see how her legacy holds so much more value than just as a warrior. Ahsoka claims to not be a Jedi anymore, yet she acts as a conduit for the force. She leaves the order out of concern for their values, then hides in the shadows to help build the resistance, and throughout it all, shows immense humility and kindness to those along her path. From Season 7 of Clone Wars to the Ahsoka live action, she carries an aura of calmness, and you can tell she has so much trust in the force, even more than the trust she has in herself.
The Jedi Order was a flawed, corrupt system. Even though it was led by incredible Jedi like Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Temple as a whole was not properly spreading the teachings of the force. The Jedi of that era were propagating violence, even if it was not their original intention. They acted as “saviors”, but fought constant battles in the name of the republic. They taught younglings the way of the force, and then immediately thrust them into a war zone. The Jedi Order was campaigning itself like a religion, a virtuous path for the enlightened and “chosen ones.” However, in reality they were weaponizing their practice as justification for contributing to war. In my opinion, they, unfortunately, parallel the weaponization of Christianity a little too similarly.
At its core, Christianity is supposed to be a religion built on love. However, the organizations that champion it have cultivated an image of hate and division that a lot of people associate it with today.
So what does this have to do with Ahsoka? I think she is a true representation of her religion, a loyal follower. She’s placed her life in the hands of the Force, so much so that the bird Morai, a spiritual representation of the force, guides her. Even though she was raised in a violent, painful, era, her faith in the force allowed her to find her place as a conduit (or a fulcrum). Ahsoka reminds us that religion is not something you place on others, but rather something you hold for yourself. Some people weaponize their faith, but those that are most connected to it, simply practice it. In Season 7 of Clone Wars, Ahsoka meets Rafa and Trace. While it’s a rather boring arc, there is an important piece to it. Rafa and Trace believe the Jedi are all fake, that they don’t hold to their beliefs. However, at the end of the arc, Rafa tells Ahsoka that she acts like how she imagined Jedi to be like. In other words, Ahsoka radiated the light of the Force, and rose above the corruption of the order, by simply embodying the values of the Jedi.
So, if you really want to be in touch with your religion, make sure you're following the true heart of it. Follow the “force” of your practice, just like Ahsoka does.
