Conversion happens in life, be that conversion to a religion, a faith, a belief, a political party, and a way of living, among others.

Conversions can often bring strong reactions from loved ones. Somebody does not agree with it. It goes against the family’s way. Somebody else in the family may agree with the conversion which rubs up against the person who does not agree. It causes a fight.

Nevertheless, conversion in life may be positive.

In Star Wars, conversion is positive and negative or good and bad.

Villain Darth Vader is about to pull the wool over the eyes of young Jedi in waiting Luke Skywalker. Vader’s obsessive quest for Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back is punctuated by his words to Emperor Palpatine, “He will join us or die, master.”

Vader tells Luke to turn to the dark side. In confrontation, Vader pleads with Luke, “Join me. With our combined strength we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.”

But based on what? The dark side. Watch out, Luke! This kind of conversion is a dark thing to undergo. To see this, we just have to watch the tragedy of Luke’s father’s conversion to the dark side in Revenge of the Sith.

Luke’s conversion

Conversion is also a good thing in Star Wars. Conversion has a lighter side in the film series.

Jedi elder Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi encourages Luke to learn the good side, anticipating a convert.

Luke responds by saying he has commitments at home, which is a good reason to stay behind. Luke knows his family needs him, though he still yearns for adventure in the war against the Empire.

When Luke declines, Ben doesn’t force Luke to convert. He simply says, “You must do what you feel is right, of course.”

In comparison, Darth Vader obsesses over converting young Skywalker. Darth Vader and the Emperor’s reactions to not converting to the dark side are to punish the person.

Ironically, circumstances propel Luke into becoming a convert to the ways of Jedi Knights. “There’s nothing for me here, now,” he says about his home planet and off he goes with Ben Kenobi.

As they say, “someone up there” had another plan.