Jousting with the Jedi's and Jediism

Hollywood films and stars have long induced a following of fans who relegated these creations as idols, cult figures, or classical favorites. But a phenomenon exists that takes this initiative several notches higher, perhaps into the realm of the ridiculous and the absurd, into that of a religion. A faithful flock has been growing that spreads the faith of Jediism - based on the Jedi code in the film Star Wars.

George Lucas' legacy has produced a level of lunacy unprecedented even by Hollywood standards. Not even the eccentric Scientology can compare with the determined advocacy of its flock. Followers are not cowed by hoots and insults and view the religious intolerance as a passing phase. There are members who take the faith very seriously and also those who joined merely to annoy other religious sects, but the spread of its adherents may be indicative of brain virus that hastens madness of the fanatical variety, or craziness that is hysterical in its ludicrous practice.

There are 70,000 declared Jedi faithful in Australia, 53,000 in New Zealand, 20,000 in Canada,and 390,127 in England and Wales. Thus far, no one has claimed that this heralds the second coming of Jesus Christ nor have its detractors say that it is the emergence of the ant-Christ; but a Labour Member of Parliament for Copeland in Cumbria declared himself the first Jedi MP in the context of debates on the Incitement to Religious Hatred Bill. While the MP averred that instead of his maiden speech being taken as a serious statement of faith, but a joke, Conservatives sought to exclude Jedi Knights explicitly from the protection of the proposed Act. A move that betrays their regard for the Jedi Order, which reveals the confluence of logic and lunacy among lawmakers.

Recently, a man dressed up as Darth Vader, using a black garbage bag for a cape, assaulted the founders of Britain's first Jedi Church. He hacked founder Barney Jones, known as Jonba Hehol, with a metal crutch on the head together with his cousin who was injured in the thigh. The incident was recorded on the video set up for a light saber battle ceremony. This may well be the Order's first real case of religious intolerance from a Darth Vader wannabee who claimed drunkenness. But his intentions were apparent in that he had to wear a costume to execute the assault. It is a case of the mentally disturbed attracting the mentally and alcoholically impaired. The attacker received a suspended sentence, perhaps from a magistrate in suspended disbelief.

This "religion" may be an offshoot of an erosion of faith in the established churches, other institutions of society, and government; in their search for meaning, justice, and equality among men. Honor and integrity are valued and hungered for, but their search has led them to worship the "force" and seek to be with "it". Little do they realize that it is the force of insanity they have embraced, much like insatiably greedy businessmen and power hungry politicians have.

Its mantra is "May the force be with you". Perhaps it should be "May the Farce be with you".

Haaarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!