Jedi order rejected in attempt to register as religious group

The UK Charity Commission has rejected an application by the Temple of the Jedi Order for registration.

The Temple of the Jedi Order sought charitable status but the commission ruled that it does not meet the criteria for a religion.

Members follow the tenets of the faith central to the Star Wars films.

The definition of Jediism is "…a religion based on the observance of the Force, the ubiquitous and metaphysical power that a Jedi (a follower of Jediism) believes to be the underlying, fundamental nature of the universe."

The commission stated: "This is a significant decision because the commission had to consider the definition of religion in charity law."

In the UK, Jedi has been a popular alternative religion in the census. In 2011, 176,632 people told the government they were Jedi Knights.