Digg ThisIn case you haven’t discovered this one yet, there’s a huge new meme engulfing the Internet — and society at large.
In June of this year, a frustrated Bobby Henderson, a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in Physics, posted an open letter to the Kansas State School Board concerning the board’s recent decision to teach Intelligent Design alongside Evolution by Natural Selection in public school science classes. Mr. Henderson demanded equal time for his alternative Intelligent Design belief, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, otherwise known as Pastafarianism.
Pastafarianism is the belief that the universe, as we know it, was created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster some 500 years ago. He, in His wisdom — and more so His choice — left behind fossils and other historical artifacts merely to confuse us. The Flying Spaghetti Monster is invisible and undetectable, and He intentionally planted any and all evidence of Evolution by Natural Selection. Further, Pastafarianism asserts that Global Warming, Earthquakes, Hurricanes and other Disastrous Events are a clear consequence of the decline in the number of pirates since the 1800s.
Prayers are ended with “RAmen” instead of “Amen”; it also angers the Flying Spaghetti Monster if one teaches about Him without wearing pirate regalia. Every Friday is a holiday, and Heaven contains a stripper factory and a beer volcano. Pastafarians have flimsy moral standards, as well. Images that depict the Creation usually involve some combination of His Noodly Greatness mountains, trees, and a midget; a common reference to the religion is evident in the expression “WWFSMD.” Estimates of Pastafarian adherents are rumored to number in the 100s of millions worldwide.
Recently, Holy Scriptures of the Flying Spaghetti Monster have recently been revealed. For example (thanks to Chuckstar):
FSM is my chef; I shall not starve.
He maketh me rigatoni with sweet sauces:
He leadeth me inside the kitchen.
He restoreth good taste:
He leadeth me to the pasta strainer for al dente’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the foodcourt lacking pasta,
I shall fear no burgers: for thou art with me;
Thy noodley appendages, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me with marinara and alfredo;
Thou annointest my spaghetti with meatballs; My plate runneth over.Surely cappucino and dessert shall follow pasta all the meals of my life,
and I will eat in the Olive Garden forever.
Pastafarian gear is available for purchase here. A discussion board is here.
Blogs, news, and discussion sites have been overrun by this topic of late. Here’s an incomplete listing:
- The Lawrence Journal-World (Lawrence, KS) — many, many pages here!
- The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD)
- The Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT)
- NewScientist.com
- Chicago Sun-Times (Chicago, IL)
- Guardian Unlimited Online Blog (UK)
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go change out of my pirate regalia.
May you be Forever Touched by His Noodly Appendage.
