Dudeism for the 2011 census appears in The Sunday Times (27/02/11)

Big census fib: I’m a disciple of
the Dude

Jeff Bridges' famous ‘Dude’ character has inspired disciples of his lifestyle to try and have his ways recognised as a religion in the 2011 Census

Jamie McGinnes 

Published: 27 February 2011

Jeff Bridges's the Dude has followers who want the Census to recognise their faith (Polygram)

We’re all dudes now, man. As Jeff Bridges waits to see if he will win an Oscar tonight for his role as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit, another of his famous parts is set to become a ruse to annoy the census-takers this year.

Whereas nearly 400,000 people claimed their religion was “Jedi” in the last national survey 10 years ago, some want “Dudeism” to be recognised this year.

Bridges played the Dude, an unemployed slacker from California with a penchant for bowling, marijuana and white russian cocktails, in the film The Big Lebowski.

The Facebook group called Dudeism for the 2011 Census (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=297196961824) has more than 500 disciples. It was set up by Kristian Lewin, 30, a sales manager from York, who is one of 100,000 self-proclaimed “ministers” of the Church of the Latter-Day Dude.

The “Heavy Metal for the 2011 Census” group last week had the largest support to be recognised as a new religion, with more than 30,000 members on Facebook.

The census is due to take place on March 27 and most people should have received a questionnaire by then.

The question on religion is the only one that is voluntary. Lying on other questions, including marital status or types of central heating, is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000.

A decade ago the Jedi phenomenon was inspired by an internet campaign and fuelled by protesters unhappy with the inclusion of a question on religion in census forms. Those claiming to be Jedi knights had outnumbered Britain’s Jews, Sikhs and Buddhists.

“I was curious to see how many Dudes there are in the UK. I don’t see it rivalling the heavy metal group or Jedis, but then that’s not what Dudeism is all about,” Lewin said.

Dudeism, which is described as “an ancient philosophy that preaches non-preachiness” and “practises as little as possible” was founded in 2005 by Oliver Benjamin, 43, a journalist originally from Los Angeles but now based in Thailand. Women are free to become Dudes as much as men.

Benjamin said last week: “We think of Dude as an attitude, a state of mind and a term of endearment used towards people who are non-pretentious, easy-going and limber-minded.”

This year’s census has caused an outcry over its near £500m cost. The 32-page survey is being printed in 57 languages.

The Office for National Statistics said that information from the religion question will be used to “assess potential discrimination and support equality monitoring”.