Column: Church of Jediism may be option for some folks

[Ian David]

Column: Church of Jediism may be option for some folks
Stephanie Porter-Nichols
Richlands News Press: Living > Wytheville Enterprise: Living > The Floyd Press: Living > Smyth County News: Living > Washington County News: Living > Bland County Messenger: Living >
Sat May 17, 2008 - 01:58 PM

By DR. MARK ROSS/Columnist

There is a new church in Wales. Founded by two cousins, Barney and Michael Jones, it is the Church of Jediism. As the name suggests, this Jedi church is fashioned after the faith followed by characters in the Star Wars films. Since the church has only 30 members, there is not much information available.

I knew nothing about the church until I read that Arwel Hughes, dressed up as Darth Vader, had a conflict with Master Jonba Hehol (Barney Jones). I want to find out more about this church to recommend it to others. There are people who need the Church of Jediism.

Take for example the members of House of Yahweh in Clyde, Texas. There is a good chance they are going to be looking for a new church. Their leader, Yisrayl Hawkins, is facing up to 20 years for performing polygamist weddings and promoting child labor. Former members of the church claim that Hawkins has up to a dozen wives himself. The self-proclaimed prophet preaches that women have to accept polygamy or “leave and forfeit heaven.” One of Hawkins’ associates, Yedidiayah Hawkins, will be in court this summer on charges of sexual abuse. The folks at the House of Yahweh might consider the House of Jedi.


<snip>

I am recommending the Church of Jediism to the folks in Clyde and El Dorado, Texas, and those in Santa Fe, New Mexico. God may laugh at the church in Wales, but I am certain that God cries over the others.

Dr. Mark Ross is the pastor of Marion Baptist Church. To learn more about MBC, visit http://www.marionbaptistchurchva.com/

More:
http://www.swvatoday.com/comments/column_church_of_jediism_may_be_option_for_some_folks/living/2547/

[Meshuga]

1. Yeah, I saw an article that DeSwiss posted here about the drunk Darth Vader guy...

...with a plastic cape attacking the Jedi "temple" in wales. It was funny. :-)

[DeSwiss]

2. And they almost had me with the light sabers....

...until they said his cape was made from a plastic garbage bag.

- I'm no religionist mind you, but if I'm going to join one, you better believe that http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x170937"> garbage bags will not be part the ministerial vestments.
That's just tacky...

[Meshuga]

3. Here is the footage

I thought the drunk Darth Vader guy was going to at least have a mask/helmet on.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/7367631.stm

[DeSwiss]

8. Well, all I can say is....

...he looked pretty "vertical" for someone that had just drunk 2 1/2 gallons of wine.

- Must have been communion wine....

[Ian David]

4. The guy from the Jedi church was not the one wearing a garbage bag.

He was attack by a guy wearing a garbage bag.

[DeSwiss]

6. Well, of course...

It was Varth Dader The "Evil Jedi" what done it!!!

[Ian David]

5. I find your lack of faith disturbing. n/t

[DeSwiss]

7. I know, I know...

...this always happens when I join a new religion.

Its either that I can never get past the rituals, or them always sticking their hands out for cash.

- In this case though, it was the funny-looking helmets....

[moggie]

9. So that's what Yisrayl Hawkins is up to now

He predicted that nuclear war would begin on 12 September 2006, and there was much hilarity at the tortured logic he used after that date to claim that the prophecy had been fulfilled, but I haven't followed news about him since then. Should have figured there'd be a sexual angle.