The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is a deity created as a satirical protest to the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to biological evolution. The FSM is the deity of the parody religion. The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson. Since the intelligent design movement uses ambiguous references to an unspecified 'Intelligent Designer' to avoid court rulings prohibiting the teaching of creationism as a science, this presumably left open the possibility that any imaginable thing could fill that role.
In an open letter sent to the education board, Henderson parodies the concept of intelligent design by professing belief in a supernatural creator which closely resembles spaghetti and meatballs. He furthermore calls for the "Pastafarian" theory of creation to be taught in science classrooms.
Sometimes, I wonder why some people would twist science in order to put religion into it? Are we so afraid that technology would make faith obsolete? Are holy institutions so worried that they would lose their flock once new thought makes them less of a believer?
The way I see it, there is no conflict between Darwin and Genesis, for looking at one book is like seeing the inversion of the other. A full circle is achieved between the two of them.
The way I see it, there is no conflict between Darwin and Genesis, for looking at one book is like seeing the inversion of the other. A full circle is achieved between the two of them.
According to the Pastafarian belief system, pirates are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians. Their image as "thieves and outcasts" is misinformation spread by Christian theologians in the Middle Ages and by Hare Krishnas. Pastafarianism says that they were in fact "peace-loving explorers and spreaders of good will" who distributed candy to small children, and adds that modern pirates are in no way similar to "the fun-loving buccaneers from history." Pastafarians celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19.
The inclusion of pirates in Pastafarianism was part of Henderson's original letter to the Kansas School Board. It illustrated that correlation does not imply causation. Henderson put forth the argument that "global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of pirates since the 1800s." A chart accompanying the letter shows that as the number of pirates decreased, global temperatures increased. This is akin to the suggestion from some religious groups that the high numbers of disasters, famines and wars in the world is due to the lack of respect and worship towards a deity.
In 2008, Henderson has interpreted the growing pirate activities at the horn of Africa as an additional empirical support, pointing out that Somalia has "the highest number of Pirates AND the lowest Carbon emissions of any country.
I always believe that there are things we can subscribe to faith and there are things that are left for us to resolve. Faith is needed for us to be reminded that we are mere creations - of evolution - or something higher than it. A heart that is open makes us more understanding and empathic toward our surroundings. How sad that the thing that makes our heart compassionate, is the same thing that makes us kill our neighbors.
Religion.
Religion.
The Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts"
1. I'd really rather you didn't act like a sanctimonious holier-than-thou ass when describing my noodly goodness. If some people don't believe in me, that's okay. Really, I'm not that vain. Besides, this isn't about them so don't change the subject.2. I'd really rather you didn't use my existence as a means to oppress, subjugate, punish, eviscerate, and/or, you know, be mean to others. I don't require sacrifices, and purity is for drinking water, not people.
3. I'd really rather you didn't judge people for the way they look, or how they dress, or the way they talk, or, well, just play nice, okay? Oh, and get this into your thick heads: woman = person. man = person. Samey = Samey. One is not better than the other, unless we're talking about fashion and I'm sorry, but I gave that to women and some guys who know the difference between teal and fuchsia.
4. I'd really rather you didn't indulge in conduct that offends yourself, or your willing, consenting partner of legal age AND mental maturity. As for anyone who might object, I think the expression is "go fuck yourself," unless they find that offensive in which case they can turn off the TV for once and go for a walk for a change.
5. I'd really rather you didn't challenge the bigoted, misogynistic, hateful ideas of others on an empty stomach. Eat, then go after the bitches.
6. I'd really rather you didn't build multi million-dollar synagogues / churches / temples / mosques / shrines to my noodly goodness when the money could be better spent (take your pick):
1. Ending poverty
2. Curing diseases
3. Living in peace, loving with passion, and lowering the cost of cable
I might be a complex-carbohydrate omniscient being, but I enjoy the simple things in life. I ought to know. I AM the creator.
7. I'd really rather you didn't go around telling people I talk to you. You're not that interesting. Get over yourself. And I told you to love your fellow man, can't you take a hint?
8. I'd really rather you didn't do unto others as you would have them do unto you if you are into, um, stuff that uses a lot of leather/lubricant/vaseline. If the other person is into it, however (pursuant to #4), then have at it, take pictures, and for the love of Mike, wear a CONDOM! Honestly, it's a piece of rubber. If I didn't want it to feel good when you did it I would have added spikes, or something.
Imagine a world where tolerance, the love of the planet and liberal thought reigns supreme from one culture to another. Imagine a world where religious institutions are treated as schools of thought, and that, bloodshed is not required to appease a creator that though, worshiped in many forms and names, still is the same creator of all heavens and universes.
In November 2007, three talks involving the Flying Spaghetti Monster were scheduled to be delivered at the American Academy of Religion's annual meeting in San Diego. The talks included titles such as, "Holy Pasta and Authentic Sauce: The Flying Spaghetti Monster's Messy Implications for Theorizing Religion". Academics say while its inclusion in the program may get laughs, it is a serious debate on the essence of religion exploring questions such as "does religion require a genuine theological belief or simply a set of rituals and a community joining together as a way of signaling their cultural alliances to others?" or in short, "is an anti-religion like Flying Spaghetti Monsterism actually a religion?
Is there a big difference between Religion and Spirituality? I believe there is. For sometime now, I would always adhere my faith to Spirituality, for I see Religion as a possessive and insecure incarnation of our original belief in the creator.
Spirituality embraces every faith and it questions whether what Religion imposes is essential or not.
When confronted with metaphysical questions, at the back of my head this thought lingers:
Would poking fun and talking blasphemy about our most fundamental and trivial beliefs lead us closer to our source?
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Flying Spaghetti Monster
Spirituality embraces every faith and it questions whether what Religion imposes is essential or not.
When confronted with metaphysical questions, at the back of my head this thought lingers:
Would poking fun and talking blasphemy about our most fundamental and trivial beliefs lead us closer to our source?
---
Flying Spaghetti Monster
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