The Force has been unleashed!
I’m happy to report that my “ism” of choice, Jediism, now boasts members of the Scotland police as practioners of the Jedi Creed. Eight police officers serving with Scotland’s Strathclyde Police force and two of its civilian staff listed their official religion as “Jedi” in voluntary diversity forms.
In perhaps one of the best Star Wars related quotes ever, Jane’s Police Review editor Chris Herbert said:
The Force appears to be strong in Strathclyde Police with their Jedi police officers and staff. Far from living a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, some members of the noble Jedi order have now chosen Glasgow and its surrounding streets as their home.
According to BBC News, “about 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census for England and Wales. In Scotland the figure was a reported 14,000.” Jedi churches and academies have sprung up in the last few years on both sides of the Atlantic.
If you’re wondering what members of the Jedi Order believe, it’s pretty basic stuff: Peace, Justice, Love, and Learning. Although the religion is inspired by George Lucas’ Star Wars universe, real world Jedi do not believe that they can move X-Wings with their minds, as Luke did in the swamps of Dagobah. (Although that technology isn’t too far off… Sweet!) They generally practice meditation, physical fitness (via light sabre training) and diplomacy.
You can learn more about Jediism, recite the Jedi Creed, and even find out what it means to be a Sith at the following websites:
Jediism seems like Buddhism with a sci-fi flavor…
Yes, very similar. Without the fat guy. Unless you count Jabba.