In the fictional universe of “Star Wars,” Jedi Knights belong to an ancient order of individuals who can manipulate an energy field called the “Force.” While an elaborate and intricate sci-fi concept, the Jedi movement has moved far beyond the world of movies, television, and books. In fact, Jediism is a real-world religion that has a very interesting history. Though it might seem like cosplay taken to new heights, the Jedi religion is one that showcases just how creative and weird human beings can be.
The following points are meant to illustrate some of the more fascinating aspects of the founding of Jediism. Whether you love “Star Wars” or you’re not really familiar with the stories, you’re sure to find Jediism’s history one for the books.
A Long Time Ago on a Census Not So Far Away…
If you believe that Jediism began because some “Star Wars” fanatics took their passions a little too far, you are incorrect. Though a plausible origin, the reason “Jedi” is a recognized religious status in places like the United States is less expected. Back in 2000, some changes were made to the way that the census was conducted in the United Kingdom. Language was included that clearly stated there would be no punishment or fine for individuals who presented perceived inaccuracies when listing religious affiliation.
This little change spurned an entire movement. Around this same time, the “Star Wars” film franchise was seeing a major resurgence due to the release of “The Phantom Menace” in 1999 and the excitement over the coming release of “Attack of the Clones” in 2002. Since many nations conducted a census in 2001, those who discovered the loophole in the UK urged people around the world to look for similar gaps and list their official religions as “Jedi.” Surprisingly, this took off, and in the UK alone, 0.07% of the population claimed this religion as their own.
Tax Exemptions and Bad Jokes
Though most people were being facetious when calling themselves members of Jediism, this is far from the end of the religion’s tale. In the United States, those who claimed to be Jedi Knights pushed for recognition. The Texas movement was centered around allowing the Temple of the Jedi Order the same tax exemptions as other religions. This caused a bit of a stir in local Christian communities, with many online articles posted about what Jedi meant to traditional values.
The tone was similar in the United Kingdom when it came to treating Jedi with respect. When putting together legislation to protect people from being persecuted based on race or religion, one individual pushed the idea of removing “unfavorable” religions like Jediism from the list. This received pushback from others and the idea was recanted, with the legislator stating that the entire comment was merely an off-color joke.
What Do Followers of Jediism Believe?
Though the public has mixed views on Jediism, it is important to understand that followers of the religion exist. Those who practice “the way of the Jedi” are said to follow a code of 21 maxims. The texts are based on concepts explored in the “Star Wars” film series and expanded-universe materials, though the compilation of the list didn’t begin until around 2002. The official text acts as a source to any who question the legitimacy of the religion.
What Does the Future Hold for Jediism?
While followers of Jediism are a mix of jokesters and hardcore fans of space operas, the cultural impact of the movement is hard to deny. Not only does Jediism force the average person to question how he or she defines religious belief, but it also blurs the line between fantasy and reality in an unexpected way. Statistics since 2001 suggest a bit of growth among the number of Jedi Knights in the world, though only time will tell if the religion has the same staying power as the film franchise.