In my opinion, it's one of two things:

• As you said, it's a middle finger to organized religion; a spoof
• It's an attempt to wrest tax breaks

Anyone remember the Universalist Church (I think it was called). For one dollar ($1) you could buy ordainment, and thus avail yourself of the various tax breaks and cost benefits befitting a member of the clery.

Scientology was founded by writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. The Hare Krishna movement was founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1965. Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830. Jehovah's Witnesses was founded in 1879 by Charles Taze Russel and (later) Joseph F. Rutherford. Christian Science was started by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879. I could go on...

My purpose in citing the above? Some, if not all, of the above are considered religions (or cults, depending on your view). How they are treated and respected (or not) is open to debate. Belief is belief.

I am a Christian. I have been taught that my mission is to carry the Good News to everyone. But my mission is not to ensure that message is received or believed.

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

I presume that he is a Pasta in that religion?

No, just a ministrone...

quote:

Anyone remember the Universalist Church (I think it was called). For one dollar ($1) you could buy ordainment, and thus avail yourself of the various tax breaks and cost benefits befitting a member of the clery.

Another friend sent off to the Universal Life Church and got "ordained". He actually married the guy who is into the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Was a ripper of a wedding I'll tell ya that much!

Yes, I've heard of it. Well, I guess it's better than LaVeyan Satanism.

16 years of Catholic school (I no longer consider myself RC, but am and always will be Christian).

I got ordained as a Reverend in the Church of Dudeism, and I've been takin' her easy for all you sinners ever since

Church of Dudeism

quote:

Originally posted by SevenPlusOne:

quote:

orthodox

I have never seen anyone take a jab at Orthodox Christianity. Most American's don't even know what it is, including most christians.

My reference was the general definition of strict adherence or, hidebound, and not with the Eastern Orthodox Church or, the various branches.

It’s also so they can wear a pasta strainer on their head for their driver license photo. No joke google image it.

Heretics!

There is only one TRUE religion!

I went for a small surgical proceedure some years back around the beginning of the PC bullcrap over intrusive questioning.

She asked my religion, so I said DRUID.

Her eyes crossed as she searched for a box to check, so I said, "we worship small bushes and trees." She looked at me like I had two heads.

I confessed to her and told her the question was intrusive and unwarranted and generally nobody's business. Then I told her my real religion.

She wrote in DRUID anyway.

Gotta love the whole deal.

Wish I had saved that admission paperwork.

The Jamaican branch is known as Pastararians.

My dad was a druid.

Does that make me a druid, too?

He kept making mention of blue people...


As for pasta, am rather fond of carbonara.

Everyone is religious and everyone has faith. It’s simply a question as to the object of that faith and practice of worship.

And to perceive Christianity as “a good set of rules to live by” is missing the point by a country mile.

I’m not sure what orthodox Christianity is. I know and affirm biblical Christianity.

It's all good and well to parody and diminish Christians, especially white ones,
but Pastafarians are fucking going to pay through the orifices, nasal and anal, for culturally-appropriating Rastafarians, and showing overt racissism when the woke crowd gets around to you all.

Just sayin'.

It all started with an open letter to the Kansas School Board:


https://www.spaghettimonster.org/about/open-letter/

"Open Letter To Kansas School Board
I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith.

Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence.

What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.

I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this enough, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t.

You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature.



In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism (Pastafarianism), and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.

Sincerely Yours,

Bobby Henderson, concerned citizen.

P.S. I have included an artistic drawing of Him creating a mountain, trees, and a midget. Remember, we are all His creatures.



Comment on this letter"

quote:

Originally posted by Eponym:
I've been a faithful Pastafarian for about 15 years. Sure, it may be satirical, but it's as credible and realistic as any other religion.

When you sing in church, is it done al dente?

Yawn. It has no impact on me, and in general I don't care what others do that don't impact me.