Jedi accuses UK department store of religious discrimination
original post from scifiwire.com
Remember Barbara Adams, the woman who wore her Star Trek uniform even while serving as a juror on the Whitewater trial? We thought her dedication to sci-fi was so above and beyond the call of duty it would never be matched, but a report in today's London Telegraph proves we should never say never.
According to Daniel Jones, founder of the International Church of Jediism, staff at a Tesco department store in Bangor, North Wales, ejected him over security fears when he refused to remove his hood.
"I told them it was a requirement of my religion, but they just sniggered and ordered me to leave," said Jones, also known by his Jedi name Morda Hehol. "I walked past a Muslim lady in a veil. Surely the same rules should apply to everyone."
The handbook of the U.K. Jedi Church, which was founded last year by Jones—excuse us, Morda Hehol—states that "Jedis must wear a hood up in any public place of a large audience." The religion is practiced by 500,000 around the world.
"It was discrimination," said Jones. "I was really upset. Nobody should be treated like that."
A Tesco spokesman had this response:
"Jedi are very welcome to shop in our stores although we would ask them to remove their hoods. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker all went hoodless without going to the Dark Side. If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers."
Comments
By infernopshere2003 at 11:14 PM ON 09/18/09
Why is it necessary for the Jedi church people to wear hoods? Seriously.
By bookwy12m at 11:24 PM ON 09/18/09
*sigh* The more important question is (to me anyways), "Why is there even a Jedi church to begin with?" Seriously.
Some people take things too far. I mean, cmon. A Jedi Church? RLY!?!? O_o
Maybe Morda Heehaw should've used his Jedi powaz to influence the Tesco staff. -_-
By Cris at 11:41 PM ON 09/18/09
His Jedi name oughta be Needsa Lyfe
By AngryJonny at 12:02 AM ON 09/19/09
LOVE the Tesco spokesman's brilliant response!
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