Jedis & Juggalos: Your Census Guide ABC1 10:05pm Tues July 19

The once-every-five-years Australian Census is upon us (Census night is August 9). Which means the vexed 'What is your religion?' question will raise its head. This, in turn means thousands of pranksters will write down Jedi, Matrixist or Metal Head.

Over the years John Safran has heard claims that far from being a joke, young people were combining spirituality with popular culture. Safran wants to hunt down these spiritual innovators. "I thought I'd potter off around the world and try to find people who sincerely and unsarcastically synchronise spirituality with popular culture. Is it good, is it trivialising, is it even spiritually dangerous?"

Jason Faanes AKA Rev Last Rite is in the US Navy and is a dedicated family man. He is also an ordained minister who leads a congregation who find religious symbolism in US rap band, Insane Clown Posse.

Rome-based Leo Zagami is also known as Neo Leo. He is a former DJ and record producer. After a drunken night where he ended up naked in an ice bath he had a vision and the religion of 'Matrixism' was born.

Mahmoud Shelton converted to Islam at 18. A life-long fan of Star Wars films, he sees strong correlations between Sufism, the branch of Islam he adheres to, and George Lucas's creative works.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• ABC1
• jedi
• juggalo
• safran
• harry
• potter
• star
• wars
• insane
• clown
• posse
• exorcism
• artscape

[slanderouslibel]

@Eun2Dope While I do not personally agree with the religion, obviously you don't know what it truly is. Juggaloism is simply Christianity repackaged to be delivered to a new generation. Do all Juggalos who are a part of the religion understand this, no. But this is what the spiritual leaders are trying to accomplish.

[slanderouslibel]

Interesting to see that Jason has not lost his flair for the dramatic. And he's serious about the Faygo baptismal. I've seen it more than once.

[Raptoridaner]

@Raptoridaner He's a good example to children going through similar personal struggles; that one person can make a difference, and that, with perseverance and effort, you can take charge of your life and not be victim to your misfortunes and doubts.

[Raptoridaner]

@Raptoridaner If he's suggesting that people should look to his idea of the christian messiah figure Jesus to deliver them from their problems and not the Harry Potter messiah figure, then you're trading one messiah for another. Frankly, I always thought the real hero of the harry potter books should be neville. He's not "chosen", he starts out from humble beginnings with low self esteem; but through personal growth he emerges from his personal struggles a formidable and confident individual.

[Raptoridaner]

The harry potter bit got me the most in this I think; where the preacher is rambling about how the "blood of jesus christ" will save you from voldemort, and not harry potter. What exactly is he getting at? is he suggesting that jk rowling is foreshadowing events? because she most certainly isn't. She's writing a fantasy book for children using the classical hero's journey metaphors, supplemented with commentary on the impact WWII had on Britain.

[thanateball]

"would jesus be happy if you put down jedi?" "yes, do what you like."

"juggalo?"

"juggalos is the same thing."

[quinphillip]

If your answer to the 'What is your religion' question is a joke or apparently made up, your answer is discounted. This unfairly skews the figures in favour of those who mark religious. This has a real effect on allocation of government funds and services.

If you don't follow any religion, just say so and mark 'No religion'.

See the Australian Bureau of Statistics page for more info: (link doesn't seem to work, google: Census of Population and Housing - The 2001 Census, Religion and the Jedi)

[Eun2Dope]

ITS IDIOTS LIKE HIM THAT GIVE JUGGALOS A BAD NAME..... BAPTISE THEM AS JUGGALO'S??? FUCK HIM AND FUCK THE MEDIA!!!

[b0rken]

@BoilMyKettle Parts of 2006's Census were printed in MS Comic Sans -- example text. Where is your god now?

[Nobullporfavor]

Clowns come out of the woodwork and put down catholic