How can Google answers say that Jediism is a fake religion?  Really? 
What about Temple Of The Jedi Order, a non-profit religious Texas
corporation; web ministry http://TempleOfTheJediOrder.org ?  After you
read every post at the site and verify the voluntary registration with
the State of Texas at http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html pleae
tell me if Jedi Jediism is a fake religion.  Br. John Henry Phelan
OSB+

Dear Mr. Phelan, 

As Mayoarin, the commentator, has said, anyone can comment on Google
Answers, not just "Google Answers Researchers", and these comments do
not represent any "Google Answers policy". Moreover, even us - the
Google Answers Researchers - are not Google employees (but independent
contractors), working for peanuts (in this case, $1.5...). We don't
represent Google, and in fact, are not to answer questions pertaining
to Google policies.

So, Nelson-ga, the commentator on "Converting to Jedi Religion"
(<http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=591742>), has
expressed his opinion, and actually based it upon a source he has
found on the Internet (Wikipedia).

The issue of "what consists of a religion" is a bit too wide to be
referred to in such a short $2 answer. There are several definitions
of "religion", going from legal to sociological definitions. Your
question is not elementary at all in this context, because there have
been cases in the past of groups that have disputed the governmental
definitions regarding religion.

Laurence R. Iannaccone defines religion as "any shared set of beliefs,
activities, and institutions premised upon faith in supernatural
forces". Does a genuine belief in Jedi knights and activities/churches
apply here as a religion?

It is not so clear with many new religions. Many adversaries of
Scientology, for example, point out that it began as a therapeutic
movement, and applied for a status as a "religion" in order to enjoy
tax exemptions. Scientoogy itself was involved in a long legal battle
with the IRS, to prove that it is a religion (ended in 1993, when the
IRS decided to recognise Scientology as a religion). Needless to say,
Jedi religion is not recognised by the IRS as a religion, with all
consequences.

See: 
Rotten.com - Scientology 
http://www.rotten.com/library/religion/scientology/

On the other hand, here you have a group that is led by a guru. They
believe, that if they meditate hard enough, they will influence the
environment and the politics in the countries where they live. In
their meditation they chant sanscrit words. But they claim they are
not a religion - and like Scientology, the Transcendental Meditation
movement was willing to go to court to prove that they are not a
religion, so they'll have access to schools, despite the First
Amendment.

See: 
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules Against TM Movement
<http://www.dci.dk/en/?article=285> 

What do I think? As long as you don't disturb anyone, do what you want.
(Note regarding this: 
Two hurt in mock light sabre duel
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4575291.stm>)

It seems that the Church started as a joke in Australia. But if you
want to believe in Jedism, go for it (alongside Zen Catholicism and
anything else that goes. You sound like a very interesting person).
Hubbard was also a Science Fiction writer, before he formed his
religion.

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it.

First, Google Answers didn't say Jedism is a fake religion, since it
doesn't have any opinion of its own.  Anyone may post comments here.
Second, I didn't see anything on those websites that verified that
Texas recognizes it as such.  One requirement seems to be holding
regular services that are open to the public.  There are all sorts of
non-profit organizations.

Of course, you may believe whatever you and others wish.

"'Jedis' and the 2001 Census

"Demographers do not often grab the headlines, but many people
remember the UK 2001 Census because of the 404,000 people who answered
'Jedi' on the new question on religion.
In Brighton & Hove, more people (2.6%) said they were Jedi  than any
other 'religious' group except Christians. Officially, according to
the Census figures, more than 7 out of every 1,000 British people are
'Jedi by religion'. A closer look at the geographical distribution of
these people, however, shows a clear correlation with university
towns. This may have something to do with the fact that the ?Jedi
campaign? originated as a hoax email encouraging people to write in a
false response."

A question of my own:  John, what does the "OSB" stand for?  
I know the abreviation as that of the Order of Saint Benedict.

Regards, Myoarin

how does jediism affect your character and why aren't you changed by
it  also i don't think God believes in jedi

Thanks a million for clearing this up.  Religion is, besides a belief
system, also a way of life and / or a community of like minded folks. 
Jedi, or Jediism, is just a new name for some old, old, religions. 
It's easier to get the kids to watch Star Wars than it is to try and
make them study and read some ... well ... pretty boreing stuff.

The Temple does issue a Mininsters License similar to the way of the
Universal Life Church; so the person who wanted to be a Minister of
the Force or a card carrying member of the Jedi Religion does have a
place to go to.

May The Force Be With You All,  Peace!

Br. John Henry Phelan
http://JohnPhelan.com
http://TempleOfTheJediOrder.org

I apologize for leaving out the answer to the question of what OSB
stands for; it does stand for the Order of St. Benedict and NOT for
old son of a ... never mind.  I guess I'm what ole' St. Benedict would
call me a Sarabaite; I take that as a compliment.  The variety of
religious experience and the power of myth have always fascinated me. 
There is a human instinct for religion; even if it is to try to deny
it; that only succeeds in affirming it.  MTFBWY, Br. John
http://JohnPhelan.com

A true Jedi would not need other people to believe in Jediism in order
for it to be considered a religion. Therefore, Jediism is not a
religion, it is a way of life based on an idividuals beliefs regarding
the Universe/Reality.
This is only my opinion. You can say whatever you want too- as long as
you claim it as an opinion and not fact. Am i right or am I right?

?A true Jedi would not need other people to believe in Jediism in
order for it to be considered a religion. Therefore, Jediism is not a
religion, it is a way of life based on an idividuals [sic] beliefs
regarding the Universe/Reality.  This is only my opinion. You can say
whatever you want too- as long as you claim it as an opinion and not
fact. Am i right or am I right?? -- snoogums-ga

I do not believe that Joseph Smith received gold tablets from an angel
but Mormon?s do.  I do believe that Mormon?s believe it and my lack of
believe does not make it not a religion.  You say what a true Jedi
would do but then deny that there are real Jedi so I have no way of
answering this inherent contradiction.  How could a true Jedi do
anything if there are not true Jedi?  There are many folks who do
believe in Jediism.  One definition of religion is ?a way of life?. 
You have, by your own arguments, proved your statement to be false.  I
claim The Temple Of The Jedi Order is a real Church and Religion.  I
do claim it as a fact, not an opinion.

?I didn't see anything on those websites
[http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html] that verified that Texas
recognizes it [the Temple Of The Jedi Order] as such [as a religion]. 
One requirement seems to be holding regular services that are open to
the public.? -- myoarin-ga

This ?requirement? is one of the fourteen suggestions, or questions,
published by the IRS so as to help determine what constitutes a
legitimate Church for tax exempt purposes.  It is not an absolute list
of requirements.  There never could be an absolute checklist; this
would violate the First Amendment.

In The Universal Life Church, Inc. vs. United States 372 F. Supp, 770,
776 (E.D. Cal 1974) the court held that:

"Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider
the merits or fallacies of a religion, nor will the Court compare the
beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with
those of an older, more established religion, nor will the Court
praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or
preposterous it may seem. Were the Court to do so, it would impinge
upon the guarantee of the First Amendment."

It is not necessary that a Church be able to say yes to all the
questions.  I can think of three religions that do not hold regular
services open to the public, Scientology, Amish, and the
Mormons (in their Temple anyway).  There are also many secret
religious societies that never hold services open to non-members.

Nonetheless, we do hold regular services open to the public.  That?s
the miracle of the Internet.  We have members on both sides of the
Earth and in both hemispheres.  Any member of the public may register
and participate on our site as an associate member; this is a person
who does not wish to join as a religious member but who does want to
participate in discussions and enjoy the hostility of the Temple.  We
counsel through our message board and live chartrooms.  We have
conference telephone calls.  We have a fast ?Help Me? system with
volunteers available to support members 24/7.  We have a 7.73 acre
parcel of land donated to us to build the first Jedi Temple.  It?s in
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas.

You are correct that a non-profit corporation may indeed be organized
for a wide variety of purposes other than as a Church, but our
corporate Charter says that we are organized exclusively for
religious, charitable and religious educational purposes.  See an
exact copy of our Articles as filed with the State here:
http://TempleOfTheJediOrder.org/totjo-articles.pdf.  It says we are a
Religion and a Church; the Secretary of the State of Texas accepted
our application on that basis.  An attorney in the Secretary?s office
reviews all filings and they will not accept an illegal or false
filing.  It is a criminal offense to even attempt to file a false
document and I?ve signed my name too it.

?Needless to say, Jedi religion is not recognised [sic] by the IRS as
a religion, with all consequences.?   -- politicalguru-ga

Did you ask them (the IRS)?  The IRS does not and cannot recognize any
religion at all; see the above excerpt from Universal Life Church v.
United States Ibid.



A Church is not required to, but may voluntarily, register with the
IRS to be included in the public record of 501(c)3 tax exempt
organizations.  The only IRS requirement for a Church is that if the
Church accepts donations, and / or opens a bank account, it must apply
for a Tax Identification Number.  The Temple applied for and received
the federal tax identification number 765655456 and our application
states we are a Church. Donations to us are US income tax deductible
as donations to a Church.  The IRS cannot say we are not a religion
but they could argue that we are not a tax exempt Church.

On the home page of our site is says we are a 501(c)3 tax exempt
Church and donations to us are US income tax deductible.  We have
received numerous donations.  If this is not true, then I am guilty of
multiple federal offenses.  Since you claim the IRS does not recognize
us then you are aware that I have been and am committing a federal
criminal offense.  It is a federal crime (misprision) to know that
someone has committed and / or is committing a federal crime and NOT
report it.

I do not mean this sarcastically.  If you believe that Jediism is a
sham, not recognized by the IRS, and especially now that I?ve told you
the law, you must believe that we are committing a federal crime and
you are legally and morally obligated to report us to the IRS and your
local federal attorney.  If you don?t you are committing a crime. 
This is not legal advice and I urge you to check with an attorney. 
Please report us.  I welcome any investigations since it can only
prove, once and for all, that we are a real Church and a REALigion.

I thank you all for your input.

May The Force Be With You All and God Bless,

Br. John Henry Phelan
http://TempleOfTheJediOrder.org

Just giving my .005 cents, but, its a satire religion, just like FSM or IPU.

It's not recognized by the US government as a tax exempt religion in
the country. There was a whole big thing about that during the last
census.

The U.S. census does not ask about religion.

Jediism is a religeon.

Jedi dude guy,

Ok...honestly...would Yoda spend his time on the net posting his litergy?

no.