Along with their peculiar religious dress, they claim specific moral precepts, a deity, their own creation mythology and version of intelligent design to support their claim to be recognised as a religion like any other. Although the Pastafarians seem absurd, their headdress and doctrine highlight the very real contradictions in secular societies. They force an important question: how, in modern times, should we define a religion? They are not alone in challenging the status quo, of course.
Vegans and Jedis have sought recently to be treated as religions. So, how does the state define a religion? And why is it necessary? This are key questions, because these definitions are what lead the state to grant organised religions special status, such as opening government and parliamentary sessions for certain religions in the UK and US, reduced taxation , such as in the UK, Australia, the US or charitable status , as in the UK.
In this light, I think that the Pastafarians are worth serious consideration. The common view is that the religion is simply a parody, and a dangerous one, in that it takes attention away from those with protected beliefs, who often have statutory protections. But first the religion or belief must be recognised. But this is their precise point. Why should certain beliefs receive special protection and benefits from the state? Although the Pastafarian doctrine and arguments appear comical, they have serious intent in that they highlight the inconsistency of the way in which states treat religion.
They clearly state on their website :. FSM is a real, legitimate religion, as much as any other. Pastafarianism In , Henderson founded the religion of Pastafarianism in response to the Kansas State Board of Education's decision to spend as much time teaching intelligent design as they did the theory of evolution.
Category : American physicists. Navigation Navigation Add a new article Search in all topics Search in namespaces Search in categories Search using prefix. Wiki tools Wiki tools Special pages. Page tools Page tools. Userpage tools. Other projects In other languages Add links. He requested that "Pastafarianism" be taught alongside intelligent design and "logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence". After his protest letter to the board was ignored, he posted it online and the beliefs quickly gained traction.
In , he wrote The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster , a satirical book detailing the core beliefs of the religion. In recent years, Henderson has repeated his belief that we should "keep religion out of government schools [and] keep money out of religion".
Bobby Henderson.
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