Easy the Dark Side F the Force is

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Well, you might ask yourself now: Why did I open that thread? What does all this mean?
We know the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force. (and I know the Potentium, but that hasnÂ´t anything to do with it yet)

What is the Dark Side of the Light Side of the Force?

It is that negative sideeffects of the Light Side, and its users. F.e. the Fallanassi White Current people.. they practiced the Light Side of the Force so intensive, that they went even farther away from the Dark Side, becoming very reclusive. They donÂ´t aid others with their powers any more. It seems to be an egoistic use of the light side, not sharing, though they have their reasons, which make sense to a certain degree. And also we know the Jedi, who are risking to fall to the Dark Side when helping others and trying to unite living their lives normal, with being special, using the force, and aiding others. The more they got interwined in politics, the more risky it got. The whole order was even indirectly guided by a Sith Lord as we know, into war. It is the Light Side they are using, but is it still for a greater good? (I know the positive effects of the Light Side and portrayed only this parts here because this is what matters to me in this discussion).

What is the Light Side of the Dark Side of the Force?

Well, it is the positive effects of using the Dark Side. Through pain and darkness, periods of pain, people learned a lot and changed their lives. corruption happened in the Old Republic often, in the New Republic it is rare. The Empire showed those who wanted to listen the mirror, what their wrongs had done and where they had lead them. they learned to change that. like on earth people learned a lot out of the horror of the World Wars. mankind wouldnÂ´t know some of such stuff without these events. So the Dark Side of the Force, though evil and painful, has positive sideeffects.

ok, so far understood? still with me? lets go on:

In short:
Evil and Darkness are painful but have also positive sideeffects.
Light and Peace, Love have also side effects that sometimes are negative and cause more damage than intended to prevent/heal.

The Jedi wanted peace, order, freedom, selfless love. But often they brought Wars, destruction and chaos. imbalance instead of harmony.
The Sith wanted imbalance and their own way of egoistic peace and order in their favor, etc. pain.. but they also helped lots of people to realise their wrongs, learn from them and change their life to a better way. That wasnÂ´t their intention but they did. f.e. Imperial defectors to the Rebel Alliance.

So, as we see, aside from their goals and what they accomplish of their goals (Jedi are very helpful and Sith very baad, yes), there are those effects that work against their goals, also.

Energy and Antienergy, Action and re-action. like in physics.

So I ask, what if...

A Jedi knows this, and wants to teach people through pain? To realise wrongs and discover truths? He knows he does dark things, and lets people suffer, induces pain. But his goal is something harmonic. (See all those fallen Jedi who wanted peace and order, but used dark methods to get it: Dooku, Anakin, etc.)

What if a Sith knows this and uses it to his favor to turn a Jedi to his side? he lies, though, there is truth in this lie. as the prophecy of the choosen one shows and Anakin/Vaders pathway.

ok, so far still with me?

Some used those sideeffects to their favor, but gained sometimes quite the opposite from what they wanted. Those who used darkness, might or might not have been successful in teaching, or bringing order. But even if they did, they sacrificed themselves to do so, dying or being killed. (see anakin, see dooku).

So I ask now, what is the right path now to bring the greater good?

Is it the Light Side.. though it sometimes has dark consequences? Is it the teaching Dark Side through which's pain in all its forms people learn indirectly, but you have to sacrifice yourself? Just what is right?

As I portrayed.. to a certain extent, both make sense. Both ne
Short answer: Your essay is not what the potentium preaches, and it contradicts Star Wars canon.
Potentium - Believes that there's no such thing as the dark side of the force. Believes that they can use the dark powers without worrying about falling. It is a wrong and dangerous belief, that produces dark Jedi. Source - PoTJ sourcebook.

In very simple terms, potentium heretics make themselves blind. They arrogantly think they are right and everyone else is wrong. Only very few of them ever returned to the light, knowing their mistaken beliefs.A good example is this - Imagine a group of children preparing to dive into the deep ocean to find some treasure. The elders tell them not to go, that there are dangerous predators lurking around. But the arrogant children go on with their belief, that there're no such predators, and jump in, without realizing the danger they are in.

No matter what the intention, even if it's the best intention in the world, using the dark side of the force is evil, and the corruption begins, unless the user steps back from the mistake.

The dark side of the force is the evil side of the force.
The light side of the force is the good side side of the force.
They are both necessary, because the force is one, and the opposites make up what the force is. It's very similar to the Yin and the Yang, which are the opposites - representing opposites of everything - light and dark, life and death etc. which make up the Tao.

The light side has no dark side effects. The whole point of the movies, and Star Wars in general, is about staying completely away from the dark side of the force, which is explained as a cancer, that seduces, corrupts and twists.

There is no such thing as Potentium truth. There's no truth in it, which is canon. It's a corrupting belief that leads one to be twisted by the dark side of the force, which is the 2nd easiest way to be corrupted, other than going dark willingly for quick and easy power. They're merely easy targets to be corrupted. The difference between those who believe in the wrong potentium theory and the dark Jedi/Sith, is that the dark Jedi/Sith jump in willingly for quick, easy power, while the potentium heretics are on the very same path, but unwillingly - due to their ignorance.

Of course, there might be some fans who like the potentium theory and the heretics, but that doesn't change the fact that in Star Wars, the potentium belief is not just wrong, but dangerous as well. If you contradict canon to make them seem right, it becomes fan fiction.
Lijot, thx for your reply, but we already did have this discussion. You are biased about that topic and shouldnÂ´t start discussing it again and again, because this topic is for people who like to discuss it, not to repeat the same stuff in every post they make, as you do. It is annoying, ya know?
You donÂ´t understand the Potentium, that I understood. And please let it be, if you donÂ´t like it it is up to you, but you havenÂ´t to tell the board a million times that you donÂ´t like it.
And as Abel said in his recent posts in another board, interpretations are allowed and even wanted/needed! So please stop it with your beloved POTJ Sourcebook. This argument has been proven wrong already. Though you might not believe it, thatÂ´s the way it is.
About your example: As I said, to learn, and teach, sometimes sacrifices are needed. The elders might learn they should have stopped the children, or educated them differently so that they wouldnÂ´t have done that. Or the children themselves learned that they should be more cautious in their next life (I believe in reincarnation). that way, the positive effect of that negative event is explained.

The Potentium believers DO NOT worry as you said. because sorrow, worrying, etc. are negative thoughts & emotions. and they do all they do out of a positive will, be it egoistic or altruistic doesnÂ´t matter, but they keep themselves free from inducing themselves pain (such as sorrow and worrying, fear of the dark side leads to the dark side, remember? thatÂ´s why they ignore it, and donÂ´t fall. those who feared it and tried to follow the potentium fell). Their inner positive goals and thoughts help them and are what stops them from falling, they have no more fear of the dark side, because that is what enabels them to NOT fall and use dark methods nevertheless for a good purpose. the inention behind the neutral action is reason for falling or not, and as I told.. keeping themselves clean of negative thoughts and emotions, motives, they can do what they do. (we discussed it already in other topics, donÂ´t restart this. let others reply to this topic and stay out of it if you donÂ´t like my arguments and donÂ´t believe in them. I will ignore you if you repeat anything we already discussed. If you have other arguments, then we may discuss.)
If your view of Star Wars would be right.. the prophecy of the choosen one would be wrong or dark side!
If you were right Anakin just had to become the light side Jedi and kill Palpatine, with no need of turning dark. He turned dark because it was needed and it made sense. and that is were my arguments come in. Anakin couldnÂ´t win if heÂ´d stayed light. he had to turn dark, if he wanted or not. he was created by the force to experience both extremes.. to recreate harmony within himself through learning to know both sides and lore. After he had done that he was ready to understand both and return to the harmony... und bring peace and balance, as we know. f.e. dark actions for greater purpose and will of the force
Lijot, thx for your reply, but we already did have this discussion. You are biased about that topic and shouldnÂ´t start discussing it again and again, because this topic is for people who like to discuss it, not to repeat the same stuff in every post they make, as you do. It is annoying, ya know?
How am I biased on that topic? I posted the canon stance on the matter. That I go along with canon is another matter. It's understandable it might be annoying for you, especially since you're trying hard to make them seem right, and you've already contradicted canon about what it preaches. I'm not repeating things, you are forcing me to repeat things by repeating the same things and making the same accusations.

You donÂ´t understand the Potentium, that I understood. And please let it be, if you donÂ´t like it it is up to you, but you havenÂ´t to tell the board a million times that you donÂ´t like it.

?? I don't understand the Potentium? So let's see. What SW canon explains about the potentium is not true, your personal theories are what's true? It would make no sense.

And I have yet to post that I don't like the theory on this messageboard, all I did was post information that canon says on this particular information. You said I said that a million times and yet you won't be able to find a single statement where I said that.

And as Abel said in his recent posts in another board, interpretations are allowed and even wanted/needed! So please stop it with your beloved POTJ Sourcebook. This argument has been proven wrong already. Though you might not believe it, thatÂ´s the way it is.

No. As the sourcebooks themselves explain, they are free from any point of view interpretations and are specifically made to be guidelines - reference books to make them as canon as possible. What he said about the "Dark Force articles" and things said in the bio of a particular character is quite understandable, and another matter.

Point of where this argument "has been proven wrong". On the other hand, I can point out every single argument that you made on this subject that was proven wrong by canon..

Though you might not like SW canon information, what you believe is seperate from canon. Your personal theories and fan fiction is an entirely differnet subject from what's official - true - in Star Wars, you need to realize that first.

My "belobed PoTJ sourcebook" as you mentioned, is one of the few sources which are outside explanations - fact files, which go along with the highest level canon (G-level). You don't like it? You don't have to..

About your example: As I said, to learn, and teach, sometimes sacrifices are needed. The elders might learn they should have stopped the children, or educated them differently so that they wouldnÂ´t have done that. Or the children themselves learned that they should be more cautious in their next life (I believe in reincarnation). that way, the positive effect of that negative event is explained.

No. The elders indeed try to stop the children, just as canon explains that sometimes the potentium heretics have to be exiled to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and sometimes, terminated. To prevent corruption such steps are necessary.

Nothing of the sort you said is explained...Your belief in reincarnation so they would've learned better is invalid in this example. They jump in, they pay the price.

The Potentium believers DO NOT worry as you said

They do not worry because they are ignorant.

because sorrow, worrying, etc. are negative thoughts & emotions. and they do all they do out of a positive will, be it egoistic or altruistic doesnÂ´t matter, but they keep themselves free from inducing themselves pain (such as sorrow and worrying, fear of the dark side leads to the dark side, remember?

Fear of the dark side does not lead to the dark side unless that fear is not overcome. And this has nothing to do with inflicting pain..But they embrace the dark emotions which is part of the belief.

thatÂ´s why they ignore
Well, you might ask yourself now: Why did I open that thread? What does all this mean?
Nope, you love the Potenium, that's been established a long time.

We know the Light Side and the Dark Side of the Force. (and I know the Potentium, but that hasnÂ´t anything to do with it yet)

Do we? Many individuals in Star Wars fandom debate strongly on the nature on the Force. Luke Skywalker believes that the Dark Side of the Force is effectively an "Anti-Tao", effectively it is a corruption of the Force that allows individuals to vampire off the True Force in order to empower their abilities. Jacen Solo believes the Dark Side is merely emotion and negative feelings that are suppressed by the Jedi Knighthood. Mace Windu believes that the Dark Side is the animalistic and uncivilized behavior of the human being contrasted against harmony and civilized behavior that humans have created for themselves.

What is the Dark Side of the Light Side of the Force?

I did my own essay on the Force, the Dark Side is the sum of the Force that the Jedi use to differentiate what is neither good nor proper behavior for a Jedi knight. Effectively, what corrupts them from their chosen path. This could be mystical contact with Sith Lords who died long ago or your own inner evil. It could also simply being drawing on the Force with naked aggression that damages the soul.

It is that negative sideeffects of the Light Side, and its users. F.e. the Fallanassi White Current people.. they practiced the Light Side of the Force so intensive, that they went even farther away from the Dark Side, becoming very reclusive.

I would not say the Fallasai follow the Light Side of the Force. They don't divide the Force the same that Jedi do. Just like the Aing Ti monks. The Force is unchanged but the way you look at it influences the way you are affected by it. The White Current is a sad and pathetic pacifistic religion that I liken to the Yelesian drug religion. By "immersing" themselevs in it, they can create illusions but they largely choose to simply enjoy their peace and harmony at the expense of DOING anything to promote it.

They donÂ´t aid others with their powers any more. It seems to be an egoistic use of the light side, not sharing, though they have their reasons, which make sense to a certain degree.

Again, its hardly the Light Side. The Light Side of the Jedi Knighthood demands defensive stance against evil. The White Current that "immerses" oneself inside it, does not affect you one way or the other because you're surrounded by the Force and gorge yourself on it. They are a part of the Force and their monk like existence demands nothing else. By saying there is neither good nor evil, the White currenters are more akin to the Potenium.

And also we know the Jedi, who are risking to fall to the Dark Side when helping others and trying to unite living their lives normal, with being special, using the force, and aiding others. The more they got interwined in politics, the more risky it got. The whole order was even indirectly guided by a Sith Lord as we know, into war. It is the Light Side they are using, but is it still for a greater good? (I know the positive effects of the Light Side and portrayed only this parts here because this is what matters to me in this discussion).

The great irony of the Jedi Knighthood is the fact that they're motivated by fear, fear of the Dark Side and it ironically throws them off. Fear leads to Anger, well it most certainly lead the Jedi Knighthood to war against the Seperatists and to treat the Chosen One with contempt. Anger lead to hate with many Jedi finally giving into their hatred. Hate certainly lead to their suffering with Anakin and many other Jedi corrupted.

One cannot fear the Dark Side, one MASTERS it.

What is the Light Side of the Dark Side of the Force?

That answer, young padawan, determines much about yourself more than it does about the Force.

Well, it is the positive effects of using the Dark Side. Through
Wow- in my long history of 12 posts, I don't think it's ever taken me that long to read five posts.
Vergere believed that there was no Dark Side, or at least not in the way the Jedi viewed it. She believed that the Dark Side could be jettisoned by self-awareness, a theory that I don't agree with- Vader KNEW he was evil. Palpatine fairly basked in the menacing glow of his own evil.
It's been a while since I read Rogue Planet, and the concept of the Potentium...wasn't Jabitha's father a practiser of the Potentium, and didn't he go crazy? (Please correct me on this, my memory is a bit hazy on this point)
As Sekot tells Jacen, "If I defeat them aggressively, if I hate them for who they have become, then I will have separated myself from the Force, and permitted my ego to triumph over my desire to merge and expand my consciousness. I will have corrupted the light with my darkness, stained it forever. Self-awareness tricks us into believing that there is us, and that there is the other. But in serving the Force, we recognise that we are all the same thing; that when we act in accordance with the Force we act in accordance with the wish of all life to enlarge itself, to rise out of physicality and become something greater."

Although Sekot was a believer of the Potentium, keep in mind that it was a planet...so the last statement, 'to rise out of physicality and become something greater' was perhaps a perception born of a planetary consciousness that did indeed arise out of something physical.
Sekot told Jacen "we are balancing the universe which every action we take, some tipping it one way, some another. To defeat the Yuuzhan Vong we must simply go where we wish to go."

Fair enough. But as you guys have already pointed out, such belief can be dangerous:

The Potentium says.. DO.. DECIDE.. BE JUST YOURSELF, BE FREE, FREE OF OUTER PRESSURE AND INFLUENCES.

*burns an orphange*

"I gotta be me."

Although I think Jacen Solo, Mr Indecisive, could learn a bit from that. Perhaps if he immersed himself in the real world, instead of dithering about philosophy until he retreated into inaction, he might gain a better understanding.

Many believe the Force is about balance. When Jacen finally immerses himself in this balance, he feels exhilarated. In nature, there is no dark or light side- but sentience, according to Luke, gave rise to evil.

So there are pros and cons to the Potentium, and also to the Jedi view of the Force. I don't purport to have all the answers, but I just thought I'd offer some NJO insight on the debate.
Many believe the Force is about balance. When Jacen finally immerses himself in this balance, he feels exhilarated. In nature, there is no dark or light side- but sentience, according to Luke, gave rise to evil.
There is. It doesn't matter what gives rise to one, because they do exist. The opposites light and dark is one of the core points - they need to exist. (And the Luke explanation was a minor blunder by Mr. Luceno, though not a big issue). And there're hints about Jacen "immersing", and many would say the dark side of the force used him. The "aging" effects of the dark side is well known of course, as well as how it makes the user think it's all fine, right etc.

So there are pros and cons to the Potentium, and also to the Jedi view of the Force. I don't purport to have all the answers, but I just thought I'd offer some NJO insight on the debate.

No there are no pros to the Potentium, unless you contradict canon. It's just a misguided belief of some fallen Jedi. That's why it's not some philosphy that's wrong, but dangerous, that produces dark Jedi, though unfortunately they might never realise it.
It's ridiculous to necessarily assume the Potenium Hersey automatically leads one to the Dark Side of the Force. I remind you that Anakin Skywalker still believed in the Core of the Jedi Knighthood when he fell.
The Potenium Heretics were nice enough people.

It's that Jedi who are naturally inclined to using the power of evil to evil ends are more likely to self justify themselves with these teachings.
It's ridiculous to necessarily assume the Potenium Hersey automatically leads one to the Dark Side of the Force. I remind you that Anakin Skywalker still believed in the Core of the Jedi Knighthood when he fell. The Potenium Heretics were nice enough people
Then you contradict canon, because it's not an assumption. Anakin started using the dark side of the force, and he had good intentions to start with. The potentium heretics had good intentions as well, they were indeed very nice people, but the belief itself is not just wrong but dangerous as well, that's why it's the path straight down. The intentions have nothing to do with the fall, no matter how good the intention is. That's the most important point about it. That's precisely why their fall is tragic.

It's that Jedi who are naturally inclined to using the power of evil to evil ends are more likely to self justify themselves with these teachings.

They do justify it, but it's just not about those who're naturally inclined to use the dark side of the force. They had very good intentions, they just thought it was some big revelation, the truth, that the Jedi didn't want to accept. They simply think because they have good intentions, it's all going to be fine and things are alright. The belief is not just wrong, but dangerous because they're easy targets to the dark side's twisting and it involves using the dark side of the force.
Then you contradict canon, because it's not an assumption.
I'm going to laugh and ask you to re-read my post. Canon is Rogue Planet. The Potenium Heretics there are not Dark Siders. Hence, the heresy itself is not ENOUGH to go to the Dark Side.

Yes, its fundamentally wrong.

It doesn't innately make one evil.

So you misunderstood what I said.

Just as a person can be evil and 'follow' the Jedi Way, one can follow the Potenium way and not explore its natural extremes.
Wow, this is like watching a tennis match.
I'm going to laugh and ask you to re-read my post. Canon is Rogue Planet. The Potenium Heretics there are not Dark Siders. Hence, the heresy itself is not ENOUGH to go to the Dark Side.
Do the potentium heretics there use the force? Even if they did, does it say they are not dark siders? We should also remember that tainted and fallen force users aren't real dark siders yet, it happens in the next step. The fall, or the seduction or the twisting is not instantenous.

And thanks to the explanation given by PoTJ, canon already shows that the belief itself is enough to go to the dark side, because not only is it a wrong theory, it involves using the dark side of the force as well - the path to the dark side.

Yes, its fundamentally wrong.

It doesn't innately make one evil.

So you misunderstood what I said.

It's not just wrong, it's dangerous as well. You're right in the sense that it doesn't make one evil just by believing in it, one has to practice the beliefs. That's where the danger comes into play. If one realizes the mistake and gets rid of the mistaken beliefs, he would be redeemed, but the same could said about the Sith.
Do the potentium heretics there use the force? Even if they did, does it say they are not dark siders? We should also remember that tainted and fallen force users aren't real dark siders yet, it happens in the next step. The fall, or the seduction or the twisting is not instantenous.
I think its fairly obvious they are not Dark Siders. They're deluded, not evil. In order to become tainted you must use the Force in anger or for evil purposes. In their paradisial utopian commune, they have no reason to do so and thus remain untainted.

And thanks to the explanation given by PoTJ, canon already shows that the belief itself is enough to go to the dark side, because not only is it a wrong theory, it involves using the dark side of the force as well - the path to the dark side.

No, its not. It's like reading the Mutiny happened directly before Dark Empire. It's reading too much into the material. The Potenium heresy isn't some kind of Necronomicron, you don't start to believe it and lose your soul. It is a misunderstanding of the Force that can have long lasting and horrible consequences.

It's not just wrong, it's dangerous as well.

Duh.

One has to first believe they theory to become evil.

No, one can just be evil and only loosely believe it. The Potenium Hersey isn't the Dark Side, its the believing one can play with matches and not get burned.

And the process is not instantaneous, but it is certainly the path to the dark side.

No, its A path, not THE path. You're demeaning all the storytelling Lucas has ever done by stating that one silly (and frankly ridiculous) philosophical belief is enough to encompass the whole of corruption in the Star Wars universe.

If one realizes the mistake and gets rid of the mistaken beliefs, he would be redeemed, but the same could said about the Sith. I'm talking about when it concerns force users of course.

Or one can never use Dark Side abilities and be wrong for their entire life before death. It's not a path that demands you experiment with force lightning
I think its fairly obvious they are not Dark Siders. They're deluded, not evil. In order to become tainted you must use the Force in anger or for evil purposes. In their paradisial utopian commune, they have no reason to do so and thus remain untainted.
Deluded, yes. And using the negative emotions is a core part of the preachings of the potentium heresy. If they practiced it, they were dark siders. If they didn't, they were just deluded at that point.

No, its not. It's like reading the Mutiny happened directly before Dark Empire. It's reading too much into the material. The Potenium heresy isn't some kind of Necronomicron, you don't start to believe it and lose your soul. It is a misunderstanding of the Force that can have long lasting and horrible consequences.

Yes it is. It's not reading too much into the material, you misunderstood what I said, which is basically the same thing as you said. You said it is a misunderstanding that can have horrible consequences. It's just about the same thing as being a wrong and dangerous belief as I was saying.

No, one can just be evil and only loosely believe it. The Potenium Hersey isn't the Dark Side, its the believing one can play with matches and not get burned.

I didn't say the potentium heresy is the dark side..I said the potentium here is the path to the dark side, which is the simplified version of what you said about horrible and long lasting consequences. What you said here is precisely what I was saying too. And when I say "the path", read below.

No, its A path, not THE path. You're demeaning all the storytelling Lucas has ever done by stating that one silly (and frankly ridiculous) philosophical belief is enough to encompass the whole of corruption in the Star Wars universe.

Indeed it is A path. When I was talking about one particular subject, saying "it is the path to this" I meant it leads to that part..I thought you got that. I'm not demeaning anything about SW..If you have seen many of my previous posts on the matter, I have repeatedly said that the potentium heresy is another path to the dark side like how the Sith jump in willingly.

Or one can never use Dark Side abilities and be wrong for their entire life before death. It's not a path that demands you experiment with force lightning

Indeed.
It's why the Potenium heresy is only a wrong belief. If like Gariel's religion. It's ridiculous and not true but it isn't necessarily going to lead you to corruption. You need some other accelerant to start the fire of the Dark Side.
Anakin wasn't corrupted on force choke alone.
It's ridiculous and not true but it isn't necessarily going to lead you to corruption. You need some other accelerant to start the fire of the Dark Side.
Anakin wasn't corrupted on force choke alone.

I understand what you're saying. When you start doing what it preaches (involving using the dark powers) it'll lead you to corruption. If one doesn't do that and just believes it for the rest of his life, he merely stays wrong/deluded as you mentioned before. Anakin wasn't corrupted on force choke alone of course. It's a part, marking the beginning stages of corruption.
"Light and Peace, Love have also side effects that sometimes are negative and cause more damage than intended to prevent/heal.
I disagree strongly"

C19, I follow all your and Lijot's posts sanely, but here i think you're wrong.

Love of someone can stifle their growth, peace can bring down societies by monotony, and light can blind you, like the Jedi.

Lets look at a real life situation.

A male beggar is on the street. He asks for money, and you give it to him. You've just done a good thing, yes?

No.

What you have done is given him an excuse to stay on the streets, to stay in a slum, and not to sort himself out and get a proper job and life.

Had you not paid him, and nobody else did, he would have been forced to get a job, forced to get on with his life and improve it.

You're good act has thus hurt him. He just cant see it, as he's happy he's getting money but at an increased risk of dying from diseases and the ilk, and you're happy because you've done a selfless good deed.

Healing a painful wound that was not critical quickly with a miracle power. Its effecient, but does it teach the person anything? The struggle of healing and recovering from that deadly wound can define you.

Indeed, the struggle of society can define it.
The Force is a god. It must be, if it is sentient to some degree and all pervading. Tergiversating, I call it. It has a will, maps the roads you are to walk; and when you defy it, Skywalker; TUF claims you cause conflict within it, and you.
I call that edible turtle shells; ETS for short. I agree with Sithing doctrine that it's there to be used, not just pondered lifelong and worshipped respectfully. That if you can experience the rage at seeing your pet cat Garfield getting roasted, and attacking the murderer for justice with that rage, but not becoming addicted to the dark side.

This dark side addiction is mumbo; it makes no sense. Or at least, you must choose the wording in a book very carefully to feel it and show it---don't just say, oooh, I can't stop using it.

I'm a proponet for successfully controlled anger. It too provides clarity of thought, not just calm blue sea thinking for Jedi. Strike to avenge Garfield, but you're not becoming an actual dark sider. You're able to stop whenever you want.

Thank Sadow Star Wars isn't Baldur's Gate 2, or we'd also have nonsense like chaotic good or neutral light, whatever they are.
C/Lij, Agree to disagree?
I don't think the force can have a dark side. Everything has the "force" in it, grass, trees, animals etc. So if they do what they need to survive "DIRECTLY" with the force, is that "darksided?"

If a cheetah used the force to kill a antelope, is that "of the darkside"? I don't think so, even though it used the force to "kill directly" which is the main thing "of the darkside." It just got it's food anyway it could to survive. So it wouldn't be "evil."

If a primitive human then killed a rabbit with the force and then ate it to survive, is that "of the darkside"? I don't think so, it's just another means of survival.

The force is full of contradictions. The novel "Shatterpoint" does a good job portraying this.

IMO, no light or dark side, just evil actions. (Note: the force is considered a "RELIGION," so believe what you want, I don't care). This argument is as pointless and non-ending as if we were argueing if there was a "god" or not in real life.
So please stop it with your beloved POTJ Sourcebook. This argument has been proven wrong already. Though you might not believe it, thatÂ´s the way it is.
Bwahahahahahahahahahaha... so, um, no?

It hasn't ever been proven wrong by anything.

Here's the bottom-line: the Light Side is the Light Side and the Dark Side is the Dark Side. Period.

The Fallanassi may be selfish, but they don't practice Dark Side ways. They take the mantra "For knowledge and defense; never for attack" to an extreme that the Jedi don't. This isn't Evil; it's selfish. There's a difference there.

The Sith on the other hand engaged the galaxy in war. Did it make citizens stronger? Perhaps. Was it an oppressive, totalitarian state which routinely practiced Evil even if it provided some measure of Good? Absolutely. Is there a reason the troops are called "stormtroopers?" You betcha. Even Hitler made the trains run on time... that was Good, right?
This dark side addiction is mumbo; it makes no sense.
It may not make sense to YOU that the external manifestation of EVIL is inherently corrupting to that extent.

But canonically speaking, using Dark Side powers, for whatever reason has been, can be, and will be addictive. It can, however, be harnessed temporarily, with little to no after effects, and used by a VERY strong willed individual. (like Kyle and Luke with their Dark Side Lightning )

But predominately, this a "Kyle, Kyp or Luke-class" feat.

And they all had run-ins with the Dark Side as a result too.

With all do respect, Excellence, why do you find it so hard that a corruptive energy field can be addictive?
OMG!111 G-lEvEl CaN0n pwns u 4LL!1111
There shall be no alternative thought. Such thoughts are double ungood
Aside from finding the beggar example systemic of what I find wrong with this country...
I find the problem associating the Light Side with being a bleeding heart. Yoda was a hardass, Qui Gon was a cheat, and Mace was an anyxvole.

The Dark Side isn't saying "You have to get a job."

The Dark Side is force choking the man or making him your slave.

Anything motivated by concern for others is almost by definition lightside.
Anything motivated by concern for others is almost by definition lightside.
But Force-choking someone out of that concern *isn't* "Light Side" at all...