Flying spaghetti monster

Part of the series on Creationism History of creationism Creation in Genesis Types of creationism: Young Earth creationism - Creation science Old Earth creationism Omphalos creationism Theistic evolution Neo-Creationism Intelligent design - Intelligent design movement Modern geocentrism Controversy: Creation vs. evolution ... in public education Associated articles Teach the Controversy Flying Spaghetti Monsterism (FSM) is a satirical parody religion created in 2005 to protest 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 invention of Bobby Henderson, a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in physics. The religion has become an Internet phenomenon. Some followers ("Pastafarians", a pun on Rastafarians) claim to have been touched by His "Noodly Appendage" and preach the word of their "noodly master" as the one true religion. Contents 1 Developments 2 Beliefs 3 See also 4 References 5 Media coverage 6 External links Developments The Flying Spaghetti Monster is typically depicted as a clump of tangled spaghetti with two eyestalks, two meatballs, and many "noodly appendages," here in a parody of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. Illustrated by Niklas Jansson. In June 2005, Bobby Henderson submitted an open letter to the Kansas Board of Education in response to their scheduling a hearing debating whether to give intelligent design equal time with evolution by natural selection in biology classes. On his Web site, named venganza.org after the Spanish word for revenge, he formally requested that Flying Spaghetti Monsterism be given time in classrooms equal to that given to intelligent design and to "logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence" (evolution). He warned that if this was not done, "we will be forced to proceed with legal action." Shortly afterwards, he received sympathetic responses from three members of the board; a fourth replied that "It is a serious offense to mock God." The site received worldwide attention when Boing Boing featured it in June 2005. Traffic exploded in August, when FSM was repeatedly featured on Boing Boing and other blogs and Internet humor sites such as Something Awful and Fark.com. Articles in the mainstream media soon followed. FSMism has since received positive analysis from a number of academics.[2] Anthropologist of religion Susan Johnston, for example, argues the FSM has aspects of both male and female, "with both 'noodly appendages' and two round meatballs which clearly represent the Breasts of the Great Mother Goddess." The "Latest News" section of Henderson's site notes that U.S. President George W. Bush [3] and U.S. Senator Bill Frist [4] have publicly supported the teaching of "different ideas" (Bush) and "a broad range of fact, of science, including faith" (Frist) on the origin of life, alongside evolutionary theory. Henderson infers that they support the teaching of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism — though neither has publicly stated a position specifically on FSM. In August 2005, in response to a challenge from a reader, Boing Boing announced a $250,000 challenge, later raised to $1,000,000 by other bloggers, payable to any individual who can produce empirical evidence proving that Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, though Jesus is not a part of, or worshipped in, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism.[5] The challenge is modelled after a similar challenge issued by creationist Kent Hovind, which has been criticized by scientists as being logically flawed in design.[6] The FSM prize was soon raised by matching reward funds to $1 million of "Intelligently Designed currency". Beliefs Images depicting the creation of the universe typically show the Monster, a tree-covered mountain, and a "midgit." Many of the "beliefs" proposed by Henderson were intentionally chosen to parody arguments commonly set forth by proponents of Intelligent Design: An invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe, starting with a mountain, trees and a "midgit" (sic). All evidence pointing towards evolution was intentionally planted by this being Global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct consequence of the decline in numbers of pirates since the 1800s. A graph showing the inverse correlation between the number of pirates and global temperatures was also provided. This component of the theory highlights the logical fallacy of correlation implying causation. It is disrespectful to teach their beliefs without wearing "His" chosen outfit, full pirate regalia. The monster continues to guide human affairs with his "noodly appendage". Prayers to "Him" are typically ended by "Ramen", instead of "Amen". Heaven has a stripper factory and a beer volcano. Bobby Henderson is the "prophet" of this religion. Every Friday is a religious holiday. See also Some websites sell shirts, mugs, and other paraphernalia in support of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism. Screenshot from the FSM church's promotional Macromedia Flash game.[1] Creation and evolution in public education Creation-evolution controversy Intelligent Design Invisible Pink Unicorn Intelligent Falling Last Thursdayism Open source religion Parody religion Parody science Project Steve Spaghetti Meatball References ^  Bush: "Intelligent design" should be taught ^  Frist Backs 'Intelligent Design' Teaching McCain Backs 'Intelligent Design', 5th down Teach Science, Not "Intelligent Design" Media coverage New Scientist, "The Flying Spaghetti Monster," 6 August 2005 Hartford Courant, story, 12 August 2005 The Guardian, "Intelligent Design and Pastafarianism," 20 August 2005 Baltimore Sun, "Parody deity flies in face of Intelligent Design," 21 August 2005 Der Spiegel, "Mein Gott, ein Nudelmonster!" 23 August 2005 (in German) Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World, "Evolution debate creates monster," 24 August 2005 Wichita Eagle, "Evolution Debate Spawns a Saucy Monster," 28 August 2005 Washington Post, "Verbatim: Noodle This, Kansas," 27 August 2005 (Reproduction of the original letter; login required) New York Times, "But Is There Intelligent Spaghetti Out There?" 29 August 2005 Austin American Statesman, "Another theory of creation for Kansas" 03 September 2005 (Login required) Daily Telegraph, "In the Beginning, there was the Flying Spaghetti Monster" 11 September 05 Gelf Magazine, "An interview with the Prophet Bobby Henderson, the voice of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism." 18 September 05 Gazette Times, "Flying Spaghetti Monster gains following" 25 September 2005 Idaho Mountain Express. "Intelligent Designer or Flying Spaghetti Monster?" 12 October 2005 York Daily Record, "May the sauce be with you" October 23, 2005 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Originating Website The Cook Book : The FSM Bible Project SPAM, an FSM-inspired "schism" site Argument for Intelligent Design in support of FSM An alternative (humorous) point of view An humorous article pointing out the flaws in the reasoning used by the creators of Pastafarianism The Demuristic Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster Protestant Religion of The Flying Spaghetti Monsterca:Pastafarisme Search Term: "Flying_Spaghetti_Monsterism" Categories: Creationism | Fictional deities | Intelligent design | Internet memes | Joke religions | Parodies

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