Column: Church of Jediism may be option for some folks

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.
I do not know why the members of the Lord of Our Righteousness of Santa Fe, New Mexico, are still hanging around. Last week authorities arrested leader Wayne Bent who refers to himself as “the Messiah.” Bent faces charges of felony sex crimes against a minor.
If his legal troubles were not enough to cause the members to look for greener grass, his predictions should send them all packing. Bent said the world would end on Oct. 31, Halloween. I guess the trick was on him. The day came and went and we are all still here, except Bent is in jail. Why are his church members still in Santa Fe? There is something for them in Wales.
Then, of course, I am thinking of FLDS church leader Warren Jeff’s old stomping ground, Yearning for Zion Ranch near El Dorado, Texas. In April, Texas Social Services removed 462 children from the ranch because of suspicion of sexual and physical abuse. Jeff’s 29,000-square-foot house remains vacant while he serves out his sentence. In the meantime, authorities are trying to sort out not only whose child is whose, but also who are children and who are adults. A bed discovered in the temple has added fuel to suspicions that young girls ritually became child brides. As crazy and confused as things are in El Dorado, the residents at Yearning for Zion Ranch might begin yearning for Jedi.
Please forgive the sarcasm, but the Church of Jediism seems harmless in comparison to these three cults. Oh, they have the names and the trappings of religion, but behind it, all lurks the worst kind of evil.
The Jedi Web site claims that the church uses “insight and knowledge from the films as a guide to living a better and more worthwhile life.” As bizarre as it sounds, that is a good goal in comparison to browbeating women, abusing children, and saying, “God bless the whole mess.” At least the Wales church knows they have created a fantasy church. These cults do not even recognize a nightmare when they are in one.
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/