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"Jedi" Religion Most Popular Alternative Faith In England

Posted by samzenpus on from the believe-or-believe-not dept.

Census numbers show that 176,632 people in England and Wales ask themselves, "What would Yoda do?" Although the number of people who list their religion as "Jedi" has dropped by more than 50% in the past 10 years, It remains the most popular "alternative" faith in England. From the article: "The new figures reveal that the lightsabre-wielding disciples are only behind Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism in the popularity stakes, excluding non-religious people and people who did not answer."

9 of 262 comments (clear)

  1. Survey with "Jedi" option available by Artea · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Regardless of your actual faith, why wouldn't you choose this option?

    1. Re:Survey with "Jedi" option available by narcc · · Score: 5, Funny

      emacs? Really? Why not just go full-tween and call yourself a wiccan?

      vi will still be here when you've out-grown that phase.

      We'll be praying for you.

      --
      Required reading for internet skeptics
    2. Re:Survey with "Jedi" option available by Patch86 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      There was a write-in option ("other, please specify"), and this was the most popular write-in.

      Far more interesting to me is that Christianity declined to less than 60% of the population, while No Religion almost doubled to get around 25%. That's a massive attitude shift for a 10 year period. Really brings into question why we have a state religion- although I suspect the figures will have to sink even lower before we can use census data as an excuse to separate church and state.

    3. Re:Survey with "Jedi" option available by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      it is an entirely fictional belief system.

      So
      Like all the other belief systems then.

    4. Re:Survey with "Jedi" option available by Thiez · · Score: 5, Insightful

      > The census is supposed to be an accurate snapshot of the state of Britain, if people lie on it, they should be prosecuted.

      For what crime? Governments have no business demanding to know a persons religion, and people have no obligation to report their religion to their government. Besides, the 'jedi' option is counted as 'no religion' by the ONS, which is probably accurate in the vast majority of cases, so the statistics are not meaningfully affected.

      > You cannot be a Jedi as it is an entirely fictional belief system.

      As opposed to other religions? Let's not go there (but if you do, please start with scientology).

  2. Re:So it's the number one "Made Up" religion by agm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, the number one "made up" religion is Christianity.

  3. Re:I for one by rolfwind · · Score: 5, Funny

    Giant?! Heretic! True believers only believe in the FLYING Spaghetti Monster!

    We must engage in battle, for I will not let this blasphemy stand!

  4. fuck Jedi by Tastecicles · · Score: 5, Funny

    I worship gaffer tape. It has a light side and a dark side, just like the Force, and it binds the Galaxy together. Difference being, it's real, tangible, and doesn't require faith because its physicality is a reassuring proof of its ubiquity.

    --
    Operation Guillotine is in effect.
  5. Re:Soooo... by SirGarlon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How many pretend to be Christian, I wonder? Probably more than pretend to be Jedi.

    --
    [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.