Jedi are the 4th largest religious group in Britain

[Sasaki Kojiro]

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..._for_1116.html

Seriously? 390,000 people? That's hilarious

[Lemur]

If they don't have midichlorians, they can't be the real deal.

But if there really are that many Jedi, well, evil beware.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

i remember trying to pursuade my bro to put jedi as his religion... he was having none of it though 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

[MSB]

It's not a religious group - it's more of a cult.

[BDC]

It's not a religious group - it's more of a cult.

But we have lightsabers!

[mystic brew]

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]

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]

That's ridiculous. Fourth only? I think it's time to use our skills, fellow jedi knights!

Bring on the world Jedi revolution!

[MSB]

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?

[Aenlic]

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.

This Jedi thing is no more or less silly than any other religion.

[Hepcat]

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]

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.

[Banquo's Ghost]

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]

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?

[Adrian II]

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

[Moros]

Nerds...
Tsssk... They probably sit in front of their computer everyday chacking some Star wars or gaming forums. Tsssk...Nerds.

[yesdachi]

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.

[GoreBag]

This is really old news.

[Mithrandir]

I'm not a jedi, but still got a lightsaber.

It's easy for cutting up my veggies.

[Watchman]

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]

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]

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.

[KukriKhan]

This 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]

My dear mother put Catholic for my religion, contrary to my father's and my wishes...

[Reenk Roink]

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...

[Avicenna]

On second thoughts, what about the Sith? Are they represented?

[Banquo's Ghost]

On second thoughts, what about the Sith? Are they represented?

I was under the impression they were running the US administration.

[BigTex]

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.

[rory_20_uk]

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.

[Kagemusha]

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.