Sex and the Single Jedi

[King_Stannis]

We are about to start a new SW campaign, and I was thinking of having one of my character traits be that he is somewhat of a whoremonger. Oh, did I tell you he’s also a jedi? As I understand the code, sex is not forbidden in the order, only attachment. I view it like this – it’s okay if he goes to the local house of ill repute every so often. It’s not okay if he continually asks for the same lady when he goes there.

Agree, Disagree? Comments?

 

[nsruf]

Seems like dangerous territory for a Jedi, i.e. how do compassion for all living things and furthering the abuse of women go together? It would have to be a heck of a clean, friendly and legal brothel (with social security and regular health check-ups for the employees) not to cause some serious alignment problems...

 

[King_Stannis]

Excellent points! I view it like this, though. It’s clear – at least in the movies – that the jedis do not seek to release the oppressed or impose their views on society. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they attack and destroy all of the slavers of the galaxy? No, they are keepers of the peace. The whore will do what she does regardless if the jedi visits her. If the jedi does go and pays her the normal rate – perhaps even slightly above – he helps her out financially. I don’t think you can say that he’s prolonging a cycle of oppression because, as I said, she will do it anyway. If the movies have taught us anything, it’s that the jedi can be pragmatic. Indeed, the fact that a jedi visits every so often might lead to better treatment of the ladies. If he heard about mistreatment by a customer or a “pimp”, it might warrant a “talking to” by the jedi – unofficially, of course.

In my mind it’s more cruel of a jedi to find a normal woman to have relations with and jerk with her emotions because there is no attachments. You are doing far more harm to someone like that than a whore who is making a living. Actually, it’s perfect for both the jedi and the whore. Both profit and neither develop personal attachment.

 

[bwgwl]

you've got some good points.

however, i'd like to talk about one specific thing you mention:

Otherwise, why wouldn’t they attack and destroy all of the slavers of the galaxy?

the way i interpret it, the Jedi are the keepers of the peace of the Republic. they don't seem too interested in protecting society beyond the boundaries of the Republic.

there's actually no indication that slavery is legal or even tolerated in the Republic. Tatooine, the only place in the SW movies where we see slavery, is not a part of the Republic at this time, AFAIK. the Jedi don't get concerned with slavery on Tatooine the way an American policeman wouldn't be concerned with seeing an 18-year old drinking alcohol while he was on vacation in Canada (i.e., it's legal there, and he doesn't have any authority in a foreign jurisdiction in any event).

so, i don't see any evidence that the Jedi aren't seeking to release the oppressed from their predicaments in the Republic. if prostitution is illegal in the Republic, then a Jedi would not condone it.

of course, if prostitution is legal in the Republic, then have at!

 

[King_Stannis]

excellent bwgwl! i guess i always assumed it was legal in the republic, as i'm not sure how you stop it in the thousands of star systems. it's hard enough to stop in small cities!

great point on tatooine. i hadn't considered that. it does prove, though, that the jedi are principled but pragmatic. otherwise they might ask the republic to invade such places and free the slaves.

 

[bwgwl]

excellent bwgwl! i guess i always assumed it was legal in the republic, as i'm not sure how you stop it in the thousands of star systems. it's hard enough to stop in small cities!

heh. i can see that. probably along with gambling, most drugs, and other "victimless" crimes.

great point on tatooine. i hadn't considered that. it does prove, though, that the jedi are principled but pragmatic. otherwise they might ask the republic to invade such places and free the slaves.

yeah, i didn't come to this conclusion until a few weeks ago myself. i had always assumed slavery was legal in the Old Republic, but it doesn't have to be, based on the information the movies provide.

i agree that there's ample evidence that the Jedi order is more pragmatic than idealistic.

 

[Methinkus]

Qui-gon actualy says something in TPM to the affect that slavery is illegal in the Republic, and Shme responds with "the republic does not exist out here,"

 

[King_Stannis]

Qui-gon actualy says something in TPM to the affect that slavery is illegal in the Republic, and Shme responds with "the republic does not exist out here,"

you know, i remember that line, too. my first impression after hearing it was that tatooine was a de facto member of the republic, but it was too far out to be adequately policed. if you look at "Star Wars", the empire has little trouble dropping a bunch of troops on the planet. indeed, they look like they are right at home in mos eisley. then again, they are the empire and could probably do whatever they wanted. still, maybe tatooine was supposed to be a formal member of the republic but deemed "not worth the trouble".

just some idle speculation.

 

[Jack Haggerty]

Stannis...

During Ep. I & II the Hutts control Tatooine officially and in practice.

By the time Ep. IV rolls around, the Hutts are still there and maintain control of certain elements... But the Empire has "invaded" the planet, and maintains a small garrison on the planet. If nothing else, they are there to hinder smuggling and Rebel cells located on this wild Outer Rim planet.

 

[Aaron L]

I have always wondered how the Jedi maintained themselves for 20,000 years when they harvest the greatest potential Force users in the galaxy and then not allow them to marry. Seems like they would be culling the ability from the population. This of course assumes there are not Jedi breeding programs, with Force sensitive offspring being raised as Jedi and non sensitives being put back into society or something.