See the Growing Religion Founded in 2007 That Has Rooted Itself in Utah

There is a growing religion full of fanatics that started officially in 2007 and now boasts nearly half a million interested followers. What might surprise you even more is how much you know about it and what its adherents believe. 

Utah is a Hotbed for Jediism and is Home to a Council 

You know may not know Plo Koon or Ki-Adi-Mundi, but I’ll bet you’ve heard of Mace Windu and certainly Yoda. These are all members at one time of the Jedi Council from the Star Wars movie franchise. 

A name you should become familiar with is Stephen Ford who lived in Utah and was a licensed minister of the Temple of the Jedi Order. His gravestone found in West Valley reads, “May the force be with you always.” 

He is not the only person from Utah who has sought out and joined the Jedi religion. There is a Jedi Council of Utah which is a local chapter of the larger body. Not too surprising when you find out Utah was the number one state for Star Wars obsession. 

The Teachings of the Church of Jediism 

If you have watched the movies and television shows based on the Star Wars universe, you are already familiar with the force and how it works.  This is basically what Jediism is based on, that there is a shared consciousness by all living things. 

It is similar to some of the eastern religions. They see themselves as connected to all living life and they try to live in harmony with this force. They do not worship George Lucas but they do consider themselves the peacekeepers of the Universe. 

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It has a certain appeal. A man named Daniel M. Jones founded the church in 2007 and there are now 500,000 people who list their religion as Jedi. If they ever succeed in making a light sword that cuts through metal doors, those numbers could multiply quickly.