Jediism
Jediism is a nontheistic new religious movement[1] based on the philosophical and spiritual ideas of the Jedi as depicted in Star Wars media.[2]
History
Although inspired by elements of Star Wars, Jediism has no founder or central structure.[3]
Early websites dedicated to drawing a belief system from the Star Wars films were "The Jedi Religion" and "Jediism". These websites cited the Jedi code, constituting of 21 maxims, as the starting point for a "real jedi" belief system.[4]
Temple of the Jedi Order in Texas registered [2005][5] as a non-profit organization and has promulgated a code, 'The 16 Teachings of the Jedi'.[6]
The phenomenon attracted the attention of sociologist of religion Adam Possamai who analyzed it in the framework of what he dubs "hyper-real religion".[7]
In 2008, 23-year-old Daniel Jones founded the "International Church of Jediism" with his brother Barney, believing that the 2001 UK census recognized Jediism as a religion, and that there were "more Jedi than Scientologists in Britain".[7] In 2009, Jones was removed from a Tesco supermarket in Bangor, North Wales, for refusing to remove his hood on a religious basis. The owner justified Jones's ejection by saying, "He hasn't been banned. Jedis are very welcome to shop in our stores although we would ask them to remove their hoods. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker all appeared hoodless without ever going over to the Dark Side and we are only aware of the Emperor as one who never removed his hood."[8]
In 2010, a man who described himself as a "Star Wars follower" and "Jedi Knight" was thrown out of a Jobcentre in Southend, Essex, for refusing to remove his hood, and later received an apology. The man said that "The main reason is I want to wear my hood up and I have got a religion which allows me to do that."[9]
Belief
Although followers of Jediism acknowledge the influence of Star Wars on their religion, by following the moral and spiritual codes demonstrated by the fictional Jedi[10], they also insist their path is different from that of the fictional characters and that Jediism does not focus on the myth and fiction found in Star Wars.[11] The Jedi follow the "16 teachings", which are based on the presentation of the fictional Jedi[12], as well as "21 maxims".[4][13]
Census recognition
Jediism received press coverage following a worldwide email campaign in 2001 urging people to write "Jedi" as their answer to the religion classification question in their country's census. The majority of such respondents are assumed to have claimed the faith as a joke.[14]
In the 2001 England and Wales census, 390,127 respondents indicated Jediism as their faith.[15] 2012 census figures had dropped to 176,632, although this was still more common than some other "alternative" faiths, and was the seventh most common response overall.[15]
The Australian Bureau of Statistics chose not to recognise Jediism as a religion, and the decline in subsequent years was seen as an indication that it was a transitory "fad".[7] Statistics New Zealand assigned Jedi an official religion code, but noted that the total was combined with groups such as "The Church of Elvis" and "Rugby, Racing and Beer" under "responses deemed outside the scope of recognised religions". An SNZ spokeswoman noted that there was no "magic number" of followers which would turn a census result into a religion.[14]
During the drafting of the UK Racial and Religious Hatred Act, an amendment was proposed that excluded Jedi Knights from any protection, along with Satanists and believers in animal sacrifice. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn, the proposer explaining that it was "a bit of a joke" to illustrate a point that defining religious belief in legislation is difficult.[16]
References
- ^ Chryssides, George D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-810-87967-6.
- ^ Hume, Lynne (2006). Popular spiritualities: the politics of contemporary enchantment. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-7546-3999-2.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Nancy K. Grant Ph. D.; Ph. D. Diana J.; Mansell R. N. (30 October 2008). A Guidebook to Religious and Spiritual Practices for People Who Work With People. iUniverse. pp. 249–251. ISBN 978-0-595-50527-2. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ a b Matthew Wilhelm Kapell, John Shelton Lawrence (2006). Finding the Force in the Star Wars Franchise: Fans, Merchandise, and Critics. Peter Lang. ISBN 0820463337.
- ^ State of Texas, Office of the Comptroller https://ourcpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaGetTp?Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=Temple%20Of%20The%20Jedi%20Order%20&Button=search&Search_ID=32018723158
- ^ Carole M. Cusack (15 September 2010). Invented Religions: Faith, Fiction, Imagination. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-7546-6780-3
- ^ a b c Carole M. Cusack (15 September 2010). Invented Religions: Faith, Fiction, Imagination. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-7546-6780-3. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ Carter, Helen (2009). "Jedi religion founder accuses Tesco of discrimination over rules on hoods". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Levy, Andrew (2010-03-17). "Political correctness strikes back: Jedi believer wins apology after being kicked out of Jobcentre for wearing a hood". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Deacy, Christopher (2009). Exploring religion and the sacred in a media age. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 15. ISBN 9780754665274.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Matthew Kapell; John Shelton Lawrence (1 August 2006). Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise: Fans, Merchandise, & Critics. Peter Lang. pp. 105–112. ISBN 978-0-8204-6333-9. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ Beyer, Catherine. "Basic teachings of the Jedi". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ^ "Doctrine of the Temple of the Jedi Order". Temple of the Jedi Order. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ^ a b Perrott, Alan (August 31, 2002). "Jedi Order lures 53,000 disciples". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
- ^ a b Taylor, Henry (2012-12-11). "'Jedi' religion most popular alternative faith". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ^ "Racial and Religious Hatred Bill". 2005-06-29. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
