Supermarket Bans Jedi Knight

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Posted by samzenpus on Friday September 18, 2009 @05:25AM from the allowed-in-this-store-you-are-not dept.

The employees at Tesco seem to be immune to mind tricks, and have kicked out the founder of the International Church of Jediism. Daniel Jones, 23, who founded the religion based on the Star Wars movies, was asked to leave because his robes were against store rules which forbid the wearing of 'hoodies' in their premises. "I told them it was a requirement of my religion but they just sniggered and ordered me to leave," he told The Daily Telegraph newspaper. "I walked past a Muslim lady in a veil. Surely the same rules should apply to everyone." It's exactly this kind of stuff that turns young Jedis to the dark side.

10 of 169 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

We all know that if... by Mavrick3020 · 2009-09-18 05:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

If Scientology, another "religion" based on a science fiction book, was in a similar position, they would sue the pants off of everyone and win. I'm not saying I believe Jediism, Haruhism, or the Church of Oprah; I agree with his sentiment that smaller religions should have fair treatment.
1. Re:We all know that if... by AdmiralXyz · 2009-09-18 06:49 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Yes, so rather than get into a complicated debate about how large and accepted religious practice has to be before a supermarket chain grants it exceptions to its rules, why don't we sidestep the issue and say that banning people from a supermarket for wearing hoods is dumb?
  
  (BTW, the correct spelling is 'Haruhiism'. Blaspheme like that again and we'll have you killed.)
  
  --
  Dislike the Electoral College? Lobby your state to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.
Discrimination by Evildonald · 2009-09-18 05:58 · Score: 2, Insightful

I think this really depends on whether Jediism is actually a registered religion. If it is or it ever becomes so, there is going to be a lot of hoodie wearing kids ready to sue. As much as this seems like a joke, if the following quote:

"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.
was said instead as "Many muslim women have appeared Burqa-less, so why can't she?" they would get the pants sued off them.

"If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers."
What is more if they said: "If women walk around our store with their burqas on, they'll miss lots of special offers", i'm pretty sure there would be outcry for a boycott, because of perceived insensitivity.
Hmmmm..... by bobmarleypeople · 2009-09-18 05:58 · Score: 2, Insightful

He may be a Jedi, but he has a point. Equality my arse.
Money... by TheUni · 2009-09-18 05:59 · Score: 3, Insightful

You should try asking them for money, otherwise you'll never be recognized as a legitimate religion.
Rules for all by A+Pancake · 2009-09-18 06:06 · Score: 4, Insightful

Dude seems wise beyond his years. The same rules should apply to everyone regardless of religion. Chances are no matter what you believe, there is someone out there that views it as a ridiculous fairytale.
Re:Why? by Korin43 · 2009-09-18 06:13 · Score: 2, Insightful

A lot of stores have a policy of banning their potential customers. Look at malls trying to keep kids away. It's because they only think in the short term and don't consider that all the people they banned for being kids are never coming back. I'm guessing this is the same sort of thing. "I hate kids, they don't buy enough stuff" or "All kids who wear hoodies are thieves".
Re:His problem is that he is white by runningman24 · 2009-09-18 08:59 · Score: 2, Insightful

So are you saying that if this guy was black and walked into the store with a jedi robe, he would have been allowed to wear it around the store? If you are, I think you're crazy and that the owner would be even more convinced he was going to get robbed. If you aren't saying that, what is your point about bringing up minorities, since they would in fact have been treated the same.
Re:Jediism, a.k.a. $CIENTOLOGY..... by c6gunner · 2009-09-18 11:53 · Score: 3, Insightful

If Jediism is a religion, then any clown can start a 'religion'.
BINGO! DING DING DING! Give the man a cigar!
Nut #1
Nut #2
Nut #3
Nut #4
Need I keep going?
Re:Why? by shacky003 · 2009-09-18 13:10 · Score: 2, Insightful

This would be similar to the "No baseball caps" policy with some bars/clubs in the US - in some localities it's considered a symbol of gang activity, etc.. (Also some clubs in urban areas ban sweatshirts, etc, with certain gang-related colors..