Lucas used the term the Force to 'echo' its use by cinematographer Roman Kroitor in Arthur Lipsett's 21-87 (1963), in which Kroitor says, 'Many people feel that in the contemplation of nature and in communication with other living things, they become aware of some kind of force, or something, behind this apparent mask which we see in front of us, and they call it God'.

In 1970s San Francisco, where Lucas lived when he wrote the drafts that became Star Wars, New Age ideas that incorporated the concept of qi and other notions of a mystical life-force were 'in the air' and widely embraced. Lucas said there is a conscious choice between good and bad, and 'the world works better if you're on the good side'. He developed the Force as a nondenominational religious concept, 'distill the essence of all religions', premised on the existence of God and distinct ideas of good and evil. He also wanted to 'awaken a certain kind of spirituality' in young audiences, suggesting a belief in God without endorsing any specific religion. George Lucas created the concept of the Force to address character and plot developments in Star Wars (1977). George Lucas created the concept of 'the Force' both to advance the plot of Star Wars (1977) and to try to awaken a sense of spirituality in young audience members.

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