What are the Jedi?

"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the old Republic... before the dark times... before the empire!"

 - Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi

"We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers."

 - Jedi Master Mace Windu

"They're like Marshals in the Old West. They're the keepers of the peace. They're given assignments to resolve conflicts."

 - interview with George Lucas.

But don't let that hold you back. Jedi are similar to a lot of others in legend:  Japanese Samurai, French Musketeers, Angels and Archangels with their fiery swords from the Bible. They could be the Lone Ranger and Tonto. They could even be Batman and Robin, of a sort. And many more. 

They are Protectors, first and foremost.