Flying Spaghetti Monster

While talking with some friends awhile ago we somehow briefly touched on the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) and I have been unable to remove thoughts of his noodley appendage from my mind. I thought that perhaps by sharing some of the knowledge inspired by the FSM you too may become a Pastafarian, or at least have a better understanding of this great religion.

This religion was brought to the public when Bobby Henderson, an Oregon State University physics graduate, sent an open letter to the Kansas School Board in 2005 protesting the decision to teach intelligent design along side biological evolution in science classes. You can check out the actual letter by clicking here. However on the Churches official website there is an archive dating back to December 2003. The letter was designed to argue that because the decision was regarding “intelligent design” rather than something specific, such as Creationism, the designer, by their definition, could be anything and in his “belief” it was the Flying Spaghetti Monster and should be considered just as valid as Darwin and Creationism. Many letters were sent by FSM members to the school board identifying the FSM as a valid religion arguing that it too should be taught. With all of these letters, the one sent by Bobby Henderson received some feedback, including four board members who also were unhappy with the decision and said they would be submitting the FSM issue to be voted on (humorously with a point of course).

It is difficult to say exactly what the purpose of this religion is because it is different for every member, as it should be for the members of any church. However, the official website for the Church of FSM reluctantly does make this statement regarding the religious purpose: “We are pursuing a religion that makes the world a better place. It means something different to each of us. We don’t need to analyze it.” For some people this religion is a sign of religious diversity and a following to keep religion out of politics. With that said it is obvious that while this is a satire religion of sorts, there is some good that comes from it. Many don’t understand the religion even after it is explained, while others catch right on to the comically addressed political and philosophical ideas that come along with it. A statue of the FSM was placed in front of a courthouse in Tennessee, the creator of the statue had this to say during the installation,

“The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a pile of noodles and meatballs, but it is meant to open up discussion and provoke thought. Being able to put up a statue is a celebration of our freedom as Americans; a freedom to be different, to express those differences, and to do it amongst neighbors — even if it is in a noodley way.”

The religion does poke fun at other religions, such as from the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster you can find the Eight “I’d rather you didn’ts.” This is all done with the idea that if there is a god out there, s/he must have a sense of humor. It is in no way intended to be an attack on any specific religion. I highly recommend checking out the official website, however you will find that it is more of a community than information sharing. While I would love to give you more specifics on the religion I am unable to as I do not own the proper piratey headdress to teach therefore I will leave you with a link to the Pastafariani Guide. Enjoy!!

May all of you reading this be touched by his noodley appendage.

Ramen!