During a recent census in the Czech Republic, 15,070 people stated that they were members of the Knights of the Jedi religion, based, of course, on the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas.

While still a small number in comparison to others (over 1 million checked off Catholicism and over half of the country chose not to answer the question) it’s still intriguing to see that number of people who feel that a religion based on something we all know to be fictional is a better choice for their lifestyles than one of the other more conventional religions.

According to the Czech statistical office, many people have developed a strong connection with the morals of the Jedi Knight and live their lives to as closely to their ways as they can.

This isn’t the first time a significant number of people have embraced the Jedi faith, either; nor is it the largest number to be recorded. Back in 2001, for example (in the midst of that second trilogy, as you’ll recall), over 20,000 people in Canada and over 50,000 people in New Zealand declared themselves to be a part of the Knights of the Jedi.

Not too long ago on an episode of Conan, as Conan O’Brien was becoming an ordained minister online so that he could officiate a gay marriage on his show, he also picked up a few other things at a one-stop religion store including a certificate declaring him an official Jedi Knight.

Clearly this has gone just a tad past a small group of people doing it for laughs, but how far will it eventually go?

The numbers have dropped since 2001, so will it remain at this small level or will we one day see actual churches built for the Knights of the Jedi?

What do you think about Star Wars as a religion?

[Source: Heat Vision]