Coincidence?

[doug*platypus]

yes they did put down Hobbits

Please! Choose your words more carefully!! The idea of the SPCA putting hobbits to sleep because they outlived their cuteness months after Christmas is terrible!!

The Jedi religion thing was also a big hit in Aotearoa/New Zealand, where it was likewise believed that all you needed was a certain percentage to make it an 'official' religion. After seeing the astonishing turnout, the powers that be revealed (or decided) that no, you actually needed more than that. Was good for us atheists, though.

Hobbits, I believe, are used more frequently (are you sure this is true?) than Jedi or Klingons, because they were created before the days of trademarks on character names. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to read about Luke Skywalker (TM), Jedi Knight (TM) and Princess Leia (TM) fighting the evil Emperor Palpatine (TM) and destroying his Death Star (TM). The term halfling is used more frequently than hobbit, though. I don't know if the names in the Lord of the Rings are now copyrighted/trademarked - anyone know for certain? Who would own the copyrights/trademarks?