The Rise of Jedi as a Recognized Religion in Scotland
Remember thinking how funny it’d be to answer “Jedi” to the census question asking your religion? You weren't alone: Jedi - the religion that stemmed from the Star Wars films - constitutes Scotland's fourth-largest religion. A recount of the 2001 census, paid for by the Pagan Federation, has revealed that there are 14,052 Jedis in Scotland, more than the Sikh and Jewish communities combined.
A Result of an E-Mail Campaign
The significant number of Jedis can be attributed to an e-mail campaign that took place in 2001. There was a false belief that if 10,000 people declared their allegiance to the Force, Jedi would become an officially recognized religion. In England and Wales, around 390,000 individuals entered Jedi under the "other religion" category, accounting for 0.7% of the population. However, officials across the UK did not take the Jedi count seriously and grouped them with atheists.
A Costly Recount Initiative
The Pagan Federation decided to pay for a recount themselves due to a lack of accurate information about the numbers of pagans in Scotland. The recount, costing £2000, aimed to publish the census data as fully as possible. The breakdown of the additional religions in Scotland revealed 1930 pagans, 421 Baha'i members, 25 official Hare Krishnas, 58 Scientologists, and 11 Brahma Kumaris. The number of pagans was fewer than the expected 4000 to 5000, disappointing the Pagan Federation, which hoped for higher recognition from the Scottish Executive, even for marriage with pagan blessings.
Looking Ahead to the Next Census
John Macintyre, the spokesman for the Pagan Federation, believes that the number of pagans may increase by the time of the next census. In February of the previous year, the Scottish Interfaith Council had pushed for the extraction of the data from the census but faced technical difficulties, resulting in a denial from the MSPs.
Scotland's Religious Diversity and the Significance of Data
The accurate depiction of Scotland's religions is seen as a positive development by Maureen Sier, the development officer of the Scottish Interfaith Council. She believes that understanding the true reflection of religious numbers is informative not just for the Pagan Federation but for all religious groups. It provides insights into the diversity of beliefs and practices in Scotland and can be valuable information for the Executive.
The Value of Information and Cost Implications
The Scottish Executive acknowledged the significance of the data without commenting on the cultural significance of the number of Jedis. They pointed out that the Pagan Federation had to bear the cost of gathering additional information beyond standard statistics, consuming GRO staff time to check each census form where the "other religion" box was ticked.
Hotels and Scotland's Religious Tourism
Scotland's religious diversity, including the presence of Jedis, can be an intriguing aspect for tourists. Visitors may be interested in exploring the unique religious communities that exist in Scotland, including the Pagan community. Hotels in Scotland can cater to this religious tourism by offering themed packages or organizing guided tours to religious sites and events. Embracing this diversity can contribute to showcasing Scotland as an inclusive and culturally rich destination.
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