Jedi could be what we need to bring peace to the entire universe, if the founder of a so-called religion based on Star Wars is to be believed.

Based on the philosophy of Jedis like Luke Skywalker and Yoda in the Star Wars saga, The Church of Jediism claims to have gained more than 500,000 members around the world since it was founded 10 years ago.

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In Stars Wars, Jedi believe the Force allows people to have free will and choice, but that destiny also plays a part in shaping their lives. They believe in the dark side but refuse to dwell on it, use it or serve it. Among other philosophies, Jedis also live in the present moment, refusing to worry about the past or the future.

Founder Daniel Jones appeared on Good Morning Britain on Monday (20 November) to promote his new book Become The Force, which promises to tell readers around the world how to use the Force to improve their everyday lives.

But host Piers Morgan was unwilling to let his claim that Jediism is a religion go unchallenged, pointedly saying he takes his own faith, Catholicism, seriously.

Jones said Jedis strive to be "peacekeepers for the entire universe" through "meditation, mindfulness, doing good, trying to help fellow man, moving society forward in a positive way".

Morgan objected to this sentiment, saying it seemed to be "overstating your powers" but Jones said: "We all have a role to play, we all do our part for it, we're part of a community of people who are peacekeepers, who promote peace and harmony, and that is a role you take on when you're part of this movement."

Good Morning Britain Jediism
Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid, Church of Jediism founder Daniel Jones, Jedi Theresa Cheung and Catholic Caroline Farrow discuss whether Jediism is a real religion on Good Morning Britain. ITV/Good Morning Britain

The Jedi Code:

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

There is no death, there is the Force.

Jones claimed this made the Church of Jediism a non-deity based, non-dogmatic religion "in the sense that religion is something you do on a religious practice which is a regular basis of a faith built on something that is potentially supernatural".

Journalist and Catholic Caroline Farrow also appeared on the show to give an opposing view. She said: "It's science fiction, it's pure fantasy. If you look at Christianity, the person of Jesus Christ is a historic figure." Morgan piled in too, dismissing Jediism as "a load of old claptrap".

In the end, was Morgan won over as he took part in a lightsaber fight? No - he soon tweeted: "No, I do not feel the force." Though, after playing with lightsaber herself, Farrow conceded: "They were kinda cool."

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