If you're in need of a little light reading on a Friday afternoon, you might enjoy this one.
Tesco, Britain's largest retailer, has been accused of religious discrimination after asking a hooded Jedi to leave its store in Bangor, North Wales.
23-year-old Daniel Jones, founder of the Church of Jediism* in England, states he visited the store on a lunch break to get something to eat when Tesco staff attempted to enforce their "no hoodie" policy by issuing an ultimatum; remove your hood or leave the premises.
Jones, also known by Jedi name Morda Hehol, claims the Jedi doctrination states "you have to wear a cover for your head when you are in public" and attempted to convey that fact by handing Tesco staff a Jedi church business card. "It's part of my religious right," he said.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the staff didn't succumb to any Jedi mind tricks. "They weren't listening to me and were rude. They had three people around me. It was intimidating," said Jones.
The shopper has called on other Jedi to boycott the retailer, adding that Tesco "will feel the force". In the meantime, the retailer has responded with a statement that should restore peace throughout the galaxy.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: "He hasn't been banned. Jedis 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 appeared hoodless without ever going over to the Dark Side and we are only aware of the Emperor as one who never removed his hood."
"If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers."
*We've looked, and there actually is a Church of Jediism - it even has its own website! According to a 2001 consensus, over 500,000 people listed Jedi as their religion. We've got to ask, any Jedi Knights in the HEXUS.community forums?
