This rocks. Heavy metal fans are being urged to prove their love of the genre by making it a ''religion''.They are being asked to officially register their faith as ''heavy metal'' while filling in the next Census questionnaire.
In the last census, a similar campaign led to 390,000 U.K. residents listing their religion as Jedi -- the fictional creed from "Star Wars."
Rock magazine Metal Hammer launched its campaign last week and has already attracted nearly 10,000 followers to the Heavy Metal for the 2011 Census Facebook group.
It has even gained the backing of a metal figurehead, Saxon frontman Biff Byford, whom the magazine says will become the proposed faith's ''World Metal Peace Ambassador'' if the campaign proves successful.
To salute those who worship Rock, keep reading for the planet's oddest religions.
JediismAlso known as: Temple of the Jedi order
Founders: The Jones Brothers, Holyhead, U.K.
What's that? The Jedi interpret and use the philosophic teachings found in "Star Wars" and other inspirational sources. Jediism is a blend of Taoism and Buddhism. It also shares basic ideals with many other religions and the Code of Chivalry. In spite of holding different views and having different interpretations of the abundant "Star Wars" material, the Jedi share a set of core values essential to their path, namely, the Force and a code of conduct similar to the chivalry code, more commonly known as "The Jedi Code." However, there is no set path and no "holy book."
Where do I sign? www.jedi-church.co.uk. Needless to say, this isn't official footage.
The Church of GoogleAlso known as: Googlism
Founder: Matt MacPherson
What's that? That's right, Google, the world-renowned search engine, has a following. These people believe that Google, being omniscient and omnipresent, is the closest Mankind will come to knowing and facing a god. Google can solve all their problems through knowledge, and knowledge is power. They even have nine proofs of Google's godliness.
Where do I sign? www.thechurchofgoogle.org
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Also known as: Pastafarianism
Founder: Bobby Henderson
What's that? It was originally intended as a satirical protest against the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in public schools. In an open letter sent to the Kansas State Board of Education, Henderson parodied the concept of intelligent design by professing belief in a supernatural creator which closely resembles spaghetti and meatballs. Henderson further called for his "Pastafarian" theory of creation to be allotted equal time in science classrooms. After Henderson published the letter on his Web site, it rapidly became an Internet phenomenon and a symbol for the case against intelligent design in public schools. The central belief is that an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe.
Where do I sign? www.venganza.org
Iglesia Maradoniana (Maradona Church)Also known as: The Hand of God church
Founder: Many fans
What's that? Founded on Oct. 30, 1998 (Maradona's 38th birthday), in the city of Rosario, but it wasn't until 2001 that its members had their first gathering. They now reportedly count over 100,000 members from more than 60 countries. Supporters count the years since Maradona's birth in 1960. It is popular among the followers of this religion to use the neo-Tetragrammaton "D10S" as one of the names of Maradona. D10S is a portmanteau word which fuses Maradona's shirt number (10) and dios, the Spanish word for God.
Where do I sign? You can't. But you can watch this:


























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Comments:
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Thursday 28 January
By Mermel Mom
Lest this article become a forum for the anti-Census 2010 loonies, let's just make it clear that the census referred to is one conducted only in the UK. The American Census does not ask about religion...thank Flying Spaghetti Monster!
Reply
Thursday 28 January
By Al Schrader
God didn't create religion, people did. God isn't a Baptist or a Muslim. He's simply God.
Thursday 28 January
By Angiebaby
Well, if Scientology can be a religion....
Reply
Thursday 28 January
By minorlabia19
It's gotta be that wacky Homo thing, the Halle Bop Comet religion, where they did suicide in hopes of catching a ride on the comet... brilliant, NOT!
Thursday 28 January
By noway
This is ridiculous! How the heck do any of these "religions" make any sense? Who do they pray to? Who do they believe created the world? Religion is a very tough subject to talk about with anyone who does not view your beliefs, but it would be easy to back up my beliefs with these people! I'm sorry but I don't believe you can just make up a "religion" out of nowhere. Either you believe in God, or you believe in science. This is all just a bunch of bull! God is our creator and savior. You do not worship anyone but Him! As long as you believe that, it doesn't matter what religion you are.
Reply
Thursday 28 January
By bob
Settle down there, Bevis. It's called satire. As a creationalist, where were you when God was handing out seneses of humor? Also, why can't one believe in BOTH God and science? I do. Afterall, God created science.
Thursday 28 January
By bobpell
I see, so yours is the "correct" religion and all others are false. Right? Did you actually think about what you posted or did it just flow out from you? Religions are a curse to mankind and need to go away, ALL religions. My god can beat up your god. Are you beginning to see the stupidity???
Thursday 28 January
By Alecia Becks
Who do you think made up your religion? Do you think God printed the bible in heaven then dropped it to earth? Do you think Christianity has been the only religion on earth since the begining of time? The answer is "NO". No to everything I just typed. You have been taught your religion by society, your family, preachers and you are in deep. Do some studying about the history of Christainty and you will see that all religions are man-made creations just like what this story has talked about what people are doing today with thier own beliefs.
Thursday 28 January
By noway
NEVER once said "my" religion was the correct one. Like I said, there are so many beliefs that its difficult to disect the issues between two people. My problem with these particular people is that you cant just make something up like a religion and not have actual facts to back it up.
Thursday 28 January
By Dude
LOL @ Noway's quote: "you cant just make something up like a religion and not have actual facts to back it up."
Actually, Skippy, not having facts is kind of the definition of religion. Having facts and evidence and a rigorous system of testing and validation is called science. Religion, on the other hand is entirely based on faith - pretty much the exact opposite of fact. If you try to back up your religion with facts it will crumble apart leaving nothing but debris.
No go and pray for some sense.
Thursday 28 January
By buckeroobanzai
Noway,dude. What facts do you have to prove any religon or god? The bible, the koran or some other worthless piece of fiction that has been rewritten and re-interpreted a thousand times? You are free to believe whatever you want but tell me this. Are the stories associated with the Force from Star Wars movies any less believable than a flaming talking bush or a virgin birth? How stupid is a religon that believes that anyone who doesnt believe their version of BS in an infadel. oooh I'm soooo scared.
Thursday 28 January
By Michael
Well, if we want to get technical, there is truly only one "correct" religion, and that is Catholicism. I mean, Pope Benedict XVI even stated that the Catholic church is the only "true church" and that any others are "false churches". And I'm sorry, but I couldn't agree with him more. And I just love all of the people who aren't Catholic who think he's nothing more than "just some guy" and doesn't need to be praised. That's like the time one of my friends tried telling me that ALL Christians are equal in EVERY walk of life, so for example, Mother Teresa was no better of a person than I am. Uhhh...sorry...but yes, she was! She MOST CERTAINLY was indeed! And I love how everyone always praises the Protestant Movement.
This (Protestantism) is a variant form of Christianity, or heresy. Unlike the world's crazy, made-up religions, they're so close to getting it right. Jesus founded only one church and it wasn't Unitarian. Instead of stepping up and making the commitment to one, holy, apostolic church, they're stuck on this notion of "independance" of unmediated faith in Christ. Do you really think God prefers a mess of polygot, disorganized prayers over the hand-written Latin epistles from Benedict XVI?
Listen up, Protestants. You've had your 490-year "protest". It's time to move on. Martin Luther was probably right to translate the bible into German, and sure he may have had a legitimate beef about selling indulgences. But stop living in the past. Whenever you're ready, the Church's doors are always open. You can be welcomed back into eternal salvation, and all you have to do is say a few Hail Marys and deliver us from your massive army of lockstep voters.
Methodists: What? The Church of England wasn't heretical enough for you?
Now, am I saying that if you're not Catholic, then you're going to Hell? No. Not at all. If you're not Catholic, you're not necessarily going to Hell. It's just that you're not quite right.
Thursday 28 January
By Aj
jedism or scientology is no harder to believe than christianity or judiasm or muslim. what, its crazy for an alien to drop everyone off in a volcano for it to explode and spread the human seed all over the world, but everything in the world just appearing here by magic, or someone talking to a burning bush, or someone getting swallowed by a big fish and living is easy to believe, yea that makes sense, or how about a bearded guy who lives in the sky and listens to everyone talk to him at the same time? all religion is insane when you look at it from a different perspective.
Thursday 28 January
By wow
michael, first of all for you to say that catholics were founded by jesus..there is something wrong with you..apparently you don't know anything about your religion..jesus was jewish so IF there was one true religion somehow i doubt that being catholic is it..and since jesus was jewish i dont think he has renounced being jewish and switched to being catholic..the reason for a pope is purely political..one was needed in the catholic church in order to set laws and boundries that people were supposed to follow to become more "godly". in my personal opinion the pope is just blowin a whole bunch of hot air....i do not practice one religion instead i read the bible and take it out of my own interpretation and if these people are interpreting these kinds of things let them do it..this is the 21st century...and honestly being catholic means your not right.
Thursday 28 January
By BBSteve
do we have to "pray" to have a religion validated?
Thursday 28 January
By noway
WOW I completely agree with you. There's no telling which religion is the "right" one. Jesus was jewish so that right there would tell me that the jews are the ones who are right. I was brought up catholic but do not believe all of it. I do not believe that you pray to Mary. I pray to the Lord himself. There's no telling whos right, but as long as you know what the bible says and follow it, you will have eternal life. Some may not believe that, but may God bless them.
Thursday 28 January
By bronxbombrs3
Heavy Metal could be a religion.People would worship Ozzy Osbourne.I'm sure most metalheads would believe in the Big Bang Theory rather then god creating life.I'm sure most metalheads are either Atheist,Agnostic or Satanist.
Thursday 28 January
By Jeannie
As weird as those 'religions' sound, there isn't one of them that sounds as awful as the way one socially acceptable 'religion' treats its women...at least with these odd ball sects, women don't have to cover themselves as though the mere sight of them was something dirty and evil to be ashamed of; and nobody has the right to murder a woman for having cheated on her husband...nobody mutilates young girls so they won't like (and therefore want to have) sex...sound like a whack job religion you've heard of before? If it's okay to be Muslim and treat women like dirt, and scream "death to the infidels!", why isn't it okay to adhere to the teaching of the Jedi? Unlike that 'other religion' (which breeds more terrorists world wide than any other), at least the Jedi are compassionate, caring, and fair. I propose that if we're going to have it shoved down our throats that we have to be accepting of the Muslims, then we should have to be accepting of the Jedis as well.
Reply
Thursday 28 January
By Jade
I like how you put that. And I agree that religion is the cause of all problems in the world. These people are just making up these religions because they can. Even though they sound crazy, there is no harm in what they are doing.
Reply
Thursday 28 January
By Declan
Have you heard of "Cullenism"? The obsessed youth (I assume youth, but many older people, especially women, may follow this as well) have created a religion based on the Stephanie Meyers "Twilight" saga. That is wholly bizarre, IMHO. Anyone who creates a religion from modern fiction and/or film, be it "Twilight," "Avatar," etc. is off his or her rocker.
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