View Full Version : Jedi are the 4th largest religious group in Britain
Sasaki Kojiro
11-17-2006, 18:03
This afternoon, the United Nations rejected a call by "Jedi Knights" in England for recognition of the Jedi faith as an official world religion, RAW STORY has found.
A story today in the English tabloid The Sun reported an appeal to departing Secretary-General Kofi Annan by the Jedi worshippers for official recognition of their religion. The Sun reported that 390,000 people listed "Jedi" as their faith on the 2001 UK Census. The Sun added that the Jedi believers wanted today's UN International Day of Tolerance changed to an "Interstellar Day of Tolerance."
But today in New York, the spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations said that Mr. Annan would not make any such move. "The UN is not in the business of certifying religions," said Mr. Annan's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
"With or without light sabres," he added.
When pressed for further clarification, Mr. Dujarric added "If I could be transported to another planet right now, I would."
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/UN_rejects_Jedi_Knights_plea_for_1116.html
Seriously? 390,000 people? That's hilarious :laugh4:
If they don't have midichlorians (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midichlorians), they can't be the real deal.
But if there really are that many Jedi, well, evil beware.
GiantMonkeyMan
11-17-2006, 18:14
i remember trying to pursuade my bro to put jedi as his religion... he was having none of it though :wall: i think i was too young to be a jedi and instead my mum put us down as 'no religion'... silly woman, she knows little of the power of the force
It's not a religious group - it's more of a cult.
It's not a religious group - it's more of a cult.
But we have lightsabers!
mystic brew
11-17-2006, 19:07
It's not a religious group - it's more of a cult.
Cults usually have one charismatic leader.
Have you heard Lucas speak? the man couldn't stir soup
yesdachi
11-17-2006, 19:16
Doesn’t seem any less valid a religion than Scientology.
I think it is funny that it is the 4th largest but I follow as much of the Jedi ways as I do the traditional Christian ones, sign me up if I get a lightsaber (should make kicking Satan’s tail that much easier).
Avicenna
11-17-2006, 19:40
That's ridiculous. Fourth only? I think it's time to use our skills, fellow jedi knights!
Bring on the world Jedi revolution!
Bring on the world Jedi revolution!
Are you joking or do you really want to convert the world to Jedi? Come on it's a cult film not a religion. Besides what is this "religion" about and what does it believe in anyway?
It's not a religious group - it's more of a cult.
In a strict sense, all religious groups are cults. As the word cult is generally used, every religion at least started out as a cult. The Christianity of today, for example, was the Raelians of the Roman world. :wink:
This Jedi thing is no more or less silly than any other religion.
I always thought it was funny how census sheets in the US & UK have jedi as an option. I wonder how many people were that serious about it. I doubt it would be that many.
Adrian II
11-17-2006, 21:52
The Jedi are a monastic order which observes and applies 'The Force', defined as 'an energy field created by all living things - it surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together' (Obi-wan Kenobi). In the character of its basic precepts, it is no different from firmly established religions like Shinto, Buddhism or the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
:book:
Banquo's Ghost
11-17-2006, 21:53
I always thought it was funny how census sheets in the US & UK have jedi as an option. I wonder how many people were that serious about it. I doubt it would be that many.
I doubt if they have it as an option per se. I would imagine it is more along the lines of:
Religion: Other (please specify).
By the next census round I think one might see a surge in followers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, aka Pirates.
Justiciar
11-17-2006, 21:57
Are you joking or do you really want to convert the world to Jedi? Come on it's a cult film not a religion. Besides what is this "religion" about and what does it believe in anyway?
Are you serious? :inquisitive:
Adrian II
11-17-2006, 22:00
By the next census round I think one might see a surge in followers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, aka Pirates.I'd really rather you didn't ... anyway, we are known as Pastafarians.
Pastafar-eye!
RAmen, brother
Nerds...
Tsssk... They probably sit in front of their computer everyday chacking some Star wars or gaming forums. Tsssk...Nerds.
:shame:
yesdachi
11-17-2006, 22:13
If your feet are frozen to the ceiling of a wampa’s cave and your lightsaber is sitting right there in the snow just out of arms reach and you hear the hungry wampa coming, who are you going to pray to? CJ, Buda, Allah, Ganesh? Heck no, CJ ain’t never saved anyone from a wampa!
I do not endorse the slaying or any violence at all towards the Wampas, after all they are one of gods George Lucas’s creatures and should be treated with the same kindness we would offer a cute little Ewok or a princess in a slave outfit.
Mithrandir
11-18-2006, 00:42
I'm not a jedi, but still got a lightsaber.
It's easy for cutting up my veggies.
Watchman
11-18-2006, 02:51
If Darth Wader and Mickey Mouse actually ran for a seat in our Parliament, they'd been permanent fixtures there for decades already. At least judging by what I've heard of the typical content of the flunked vote sheets...
ZombieFriedNuts
11-18-2006, 04:10
I know some people who put Jedi down they did it for fun to any the census people I would have done it but I don’t think that I have ever filled one in, shame really.
Banquo's Ghost
11-18-2006, 10:35
I do not endorse the slaying or any violence at all towards the Wampas, after all they are one of gods George Lucas’s creatures and should be treated with the same kindness we would offer a cute little Ewok or a princess in a slave outfit.
This may well count as heresy, but I can assure you the kindnesses I would offer a cute little Ewok, or a princess in a slave outfit, are of an entirely different character.
:bounce:
KukriKhan
11-18-2006, 15:14
This (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pdfs/2007_test_H1_form.pdf) is the PDF of the proposed 2011 UK census questions. #14 reads:
"What is your religion? This question is voluntary. Tick one box only." Then it lists:
None.
Christian
Buddist
Hindu
Jewish
Muslim
Sikh
Any other religion, write in
Then provides 18 spaces for a write-in entry. Kind of discriminates against Rastapastafarian-Reformed folks.
Duke Malcolm
11-18-2006, 17:41
My dear mother put Catholic for my religion, contrary to my father's and my wishes...
Reenk Roink
11-18-2006, 17:47
I remember hearing some radio contest giving a boatload of prizes for someone legally changing his name to "Mace Windu: The Baddest Jedi in the Galaxy" (on his passport, driver's license, other important documentation) and then going around and telling people about it. I don't know if anyone took up the offer.
Edit: Found link... (http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:USiGreFXyfsJ:www.detnews.com/2002/entertainment/0205/13/e01-487723.htm+legally+change+name+Mace+windu+baddest+jedi+in+the+galaxy&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1)
:laugh4:
Avicenna
11-19-2006, 11:02
On second thoughts, what about the Sith? Are they represented?
Banquo's Ghost
11-19-2006, 11:06
On second thoughts, what about the Sith? Are they represented?
I was under the impression they were running the US administration.
:creep:
On second thoughts, what about the Sith? Are they represented?
Indeed that would create a dangerous precedent, if we are to recognize the Jedi as a religion we therefore must also equally recognize the Sith.
This is a slippery slope indeed, the Emperor is not pleased.:shame: :no:
rory_20_uk
11-19-2006, 11:37
So a cult has one charismatic leader. So, basically most religions were then cults, as most have one figure that created them (Jesus, Mohammed, not to mention other Christian branshes such as Mormons, Seventh day Adventilists).
I don't think that it should be disregarded merely as it's silly. Catholic transubstantiation is pretty silly as far as I am concerned.
~:smoking:
Kagemusha
11-19-2006, 14:03
On second thoughts, what about the Sith? Are they represented?
The Sith are already amongst you.Dont you know who created those census. Now when you nice little friendly peeps confess to be jedi heretics, in short time you can enjoy the visit of Imperial Stormtroopers and all your earthly problems will end. ~:pat:
Avicenna
11-20-2006, 09:44
all your earthly problems will end.
By being transported to Hoth?
Kagemusha
11-20-2006, 10:07
Yep nice little trip possibly there. And you dont have to even bother with luckages or anything like that.The nice stormtroopers will send your stuff later in there.Remember to tell also all the names of the other Jedi people you know to the Imperial officers and they will organize nice trips to those people too.~;)
Soulforged
11-21-2006, 03:03
A story today in the English tabloid The Sun reported an appeal to departing Secretary-General Kofi Annan by the Jedi worshippers for official recognition of their religion. The Sun reported that 390,000 people listed "Jedi" as their faith on the 2001 UK Census. The Sun added that the Jedi believers wanted today's UN International Day of Tolerance changed to an "Interstellar Day of Tolerance."
What's with this obsession with official recognition by governative organs? Where's espirituality hiding?
Anyway...With the problems that the UN faces everyday, and the whole world, how do this people dare to bother Kofi Annan with this...is ridiculous.
I think that this 390.000 people should grow up and get a life.
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.