Our Father, Who Art In a Robotic Breathing Suit…
There are an infinite number of religions in the world. Some originated in the ancient civilizations. Others are relatively new and have existed for only a few decades. Followers of the latter ones, with all seriousness, are trying to make their religions official; what difference does a thousand years make?
"I find your lack of faith disturbing."
Extreme fans of the Star Wars movies are trying to achieve a recognition of Jediism as an official religion. Their religious views are still classified as a “self-proclaimed” or “fictional” religion; they are considered either “atheists” or “other” in censuses. In 2001, a census in England gave surprising results: 390 thousand people listed themselves as Jedis. It is believed that many stated their beliefs as “Jediism” in the “religion” field due to mass e-mailing by Star Wars enthusiasts. There is no straightforward answer when determining if they were serious or not. Similar shocking results were found in Canada with 20 thousand Jedis, New Zealand with over 53 thousand, and Australia with 70 thousand Jediists. Over half a million people consider themselves Jedis. Two of them have asked the UN to recognize them and to change the, “International Day of Tolerance,” to the, “Interstellar Day of Tolerance.” The UN members ignored them without much delay.
The number of Jedis decreased drastically in 2006. Many knights, not satisfied with the results of the Jedi Code, traded the “force” for the “Flying Spaghetti Monster.” Joining the Force after death was less appealing than coming to a heaven where there is a beer volcano and a stripper factory that is promised by Pastafarianism. Disregarding the clearly parodical and satirical character of the religion created by Bobby Henderson, his followers also sent out e-mails with a petition to join the movement. They haven’t yet reached UN.
Neither of these religions are officially recognized. Things may get out of hand if they begin to gain significant momentum. People may request the right to take their passport photo with a lightsaber. Others may attempt to change 2009 BCE to 48 ABM (which stands for After Birth of Maradona, a legendary Argentinian soccer player). Some might request education for a god that resembles spaghetti and meatballs. May the Force be with us all.
