UK Atheists Hope to Eliminate Jedi Population

[Geo Da Sponge]

Honestly, shut the fuck up people (the guys in that "movement", not Tom, obviously).

It's all the same nonsense. It should never matter for any government functions whether people have any religion at all, so the fact that it's included in a census is rubbish anyways.

Personally I say go for the high score guys. 50% Jedi or bust.

Pastafarians or Adeptus Astartes also acceptable.

But it does.

It's stuff like this that gives the government an idea of what to do in the local area. This is also the kind of stuff used to justify more religious faith schools.

This. While I can see why people who don't understand the census would find this funny, this actually skews the government's data quite a bit. For instance, if the government is looking to make a new school, and they have the choice to make it religious (eg. C of E) or non-religious, they will check the census for how the local area feels about religion. If the census says 60% religious (for example) then they would probably opt for a religious school. Now, if half of that 60% is made up of people who put 'Jedi' as their religion for a joke, then I doubt that they'd be too happy about this situation

Obviously, I don't know how often this happens, but this is the kind of thing the census is used for. By all means, everyone is entitled to put whatever they like on their census form, but they then have absolutely no right to complain if a government decision goes against them based on what they put as a joke

Personally, I'll be choosing no religion

Exactly. I think there's been a bit of dispute over whether Jedi gets counted as a religion or not, but if it does then people making this 'hilarious' joke are just sabotaging the basis of government decisions for as long as this info is considered valid.

All we have to do is pick our religion once every ten years, and we can't even get that right.

 

[Harbinger_]

If there are people that can worship a flying pasta monster then I'm fairly certain people can say they are jedi. I personally think that the atheists in the UK trying to eliminate our jedi brethren need to cease. This is not the campaign you're looking for.

 

[saito82]

Wait, so this is actually becoming an official religon? LIke the Church of Star Trek in Futurama? I heard inklings of this in places like New Zealand with a few people following the Jedi philosophy, but it would be awesome to see it get more recognition. Afterall, being a Jedi never hurt no one(Or at least didn't kill no one).

For the record though, look at buddist philosophy and look at the jedi teachings. They're so similar it's scary.

Funny thing is that Jedi is an officially recognized religion of the United States Army, our Chaplains have to be prepared to help anyone who practices the Way of the Jedi. Our Chaplain actually spent a lot of time researching it so he was well prepared in case he needed it, we had a really good conversation about this not that long ago.

 

[LogicNProportion]

Honestly, shut the fuck up people (the guys in that "movement", not Tom, obviously).

It's all the same nonsense. It should never matter for any government functions whether people have any religion at all, so the fact that it's included in a census is rubbish anyways.

Personally I say go for the high score guys. 50% Jedi or bust.

Pastafarians or Adeptus Astartes also acceptable.

FOR THE GOD EMPEROR OF MANKIND!

But seriously, if people are serious about it, let em do it. Of course there will be the jokesters, but those people can go with the amount of people who choose Christian but don't have a Christian bone in their body, or those who choose Atheist just because they want to seem smarter, or the people who choose Satanist just because they're going through a rebellious phase.

In other words. It's not hurting anything. Don't be a prick.

PS: Jango Fett saved Attack of the Clones for me.

 

[Dorian6]

I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi.

 

[Woodsey]

Ironically, the whole Jedi thing points out the ludicrousness of religion.

Why is Christianity a serious religion when Jedi-ism is not? Because its older?

I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi.

How did I miss that?!

I fucking salute you for that one xD

 

[Zepren]

Some people are real twats huh? Just cause you have no religion doesn't mean you can dictate the choices of others. Let people put jedi. The atheists just want more in their corner officially. Man up and learn how to take a joke that doesnt affect you.

 

[Katamake]

I'll be putting down unitologist, Altman be praised.

 

[Ghengis John]

It seems definitive, Atheists can't take a joke.

Jedi ftw.

Seconded.

The issue is that the UK government could be getting the wrong idea about the amount of people within its borders that are religiously devout, versus those that just like to hold a lightsaber on the weekends. If Jediism has actually become a religion for you, sure, go ahead and write "Jedi" in the census. If not, it might be best to check "No Religion." The latter is probably the smartest move anyway, just in case a Sith Lord rises to power and decides to eliminate the competition.

If I were in the UK I would be sure to tick the box for Jedi precisely because a bunch of smug, uptight jerks didn't want me to. They can't even ask for help without being derisive.

 

[Ghengis John]

Ironically, the whole Jedi thing points out the ludicrousness of religion.

Why is Christianity a serious religion when Jedi-ism is not? Because its older?

Two Words:
George Lucas.

That is all.

 

[Caliostro]

But it does.

It's stuff like this that gives the government an idea of what to do in the local area. This is also the kind of stuff used to justify more religious faith schools.

Here's the problem: It shouldn't. Ever.

If it does, I couldn't care less what religion it is about. Hell, I'd prefer it if it was Jedi. Do an event for Jedi religion in schools! Show kids the original (AND NOTHING ELSE) trilogy! That's educational and fun.

 

[Sanotrex]

The thing I would like to pick up on is the people saying: "You atheist need to learn how to take a joke" Who do you think are the people putting Jedi as their religion? Atheists !
So stop saying, that atheists can't take a joke, just say that a certain group of people can't take a joke.
And further more, I absolutely agree with the point that, because of the serious decisions, that can be made from the census results, it shouldn't be allowed. You may argue, that politicians can get that it's a joke, but, that doesn't mean it's not beneficial if they prove that it's a religion, just to push forward idea's that would help them.

 

[RJ Dalton]

Those damned atheists, out to destroy everybody's faith just so they can feel better about being evil, nonbelievers.

And thanks to the glory of the internet, I can say that without giving any signs that I'm joking.
Wait . . . DAMN!

 

[DangerFish]

Honestly, shut the fuck up people (the guys in that "movement", not Tom, obviously).

It's all the same nonsense. It should never matter for any government functions whether people have any religion at all, so the fact that it's included in a census is rubbish anyways.

Personally I say go for the high score guys. 50% Jedi or bust.

Pastafarians or Adeptus Astartes also acceptable.

What if I get a red pen and scrawl BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD across religion.

Will they file that under 'other'?

It's official, I am now writing down "Chaos Undivided" as my religion.

this thread is full of heretics ,exterminatus is the only solution!

 

[TheDrunkNinja]

Let me ask you this...

Are you honestly willing to break his adorable, little youngling heart with your stupid "government regulations" and "accurate census readings"?

 

[Darkauthor81]

And this so proves that religious people don't have a monopole on being uptight douche bags as so many people seem to think.

 

[FungiGamer]

I can't believe they can get away with such nonsense... DOWN WITH UK ATHEISTS, STOP JEDI OPPRESSION TODAY! We've already suffered an attempted genocide on our people a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, haven't we suffered enough?!?!?

 

[k-ossuburb]

Got the census the other day and I've already ticked "no religion".

Sadly, I live in a little village with an aging population, most people over the age of 70 tend to be religious, if only for the Bingo and cake and nothing much to do with the religion at all (by which I mean Christianity). Still, it was a different back then, I don't really blame them, the U.K.'s version of Christianity is very tame compared to the American one, so it's not like my rights are being threatened much by the religious population.

If they are, I don't notice it.

 

[Leftnt Sharpe]

Very tempted now to put down something even more stupid like Ba'alite just for the luls.

 

[CloakedOne]

The thing I would like to pick up on is the people saying: "You atheist need to learn how to take a joke" Who do you think are the people putting Jedi as their religion? Atheists !
So stop saying, that atheists can't take a joke, just say that a certain group of people can't take a joke.
And further more, I absolutely agree with the point that, because of the serious decisions, that can be made from the census results, it shouldn't be allowed. You may argue, that politicians can get that it's a joke, but, that doesn't mean it's not beneficial if they prove that it's a religion, just to push forward idea's that would help them.

Good points, all.

Besides, if Scientology can be a religion, why can't Jediism be one?It has everything that it needs to be considered fully-realized: it has a code of conduct, holy garb, ranking system, a symbol, and a philosophy. It even borrows tenets from older religions cobbled together to create a new one. Not to mention it has way too many followers to be considered a cult. I'm an Atheist technically, but I honestly agree with many of the Jedi points of view, so maybe I'm a Jedi technically.

One of their main points is that Jedi claim to have super powers and if you can't do super powers, then you aren't a Jedi. But that's cinema, right? There are lots of cinema adaptations of religions icons that simply are not true although they have depictions in their various holy texts. Seems like a weak argument to me.