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{{redir|Bobby Henderson}}
[[Image:Touched by His Noodly Appendage.jpg|250px|thumb|Niklas Jansson's adaptation of [[Michelangelo]]'s ''[[The Creation of Adam]]'' depicts the Flying Spaghetti Monster in its typical guise as a clump of tangled [[spaghetti]] with two eyestalks, two [[meatball]]s, and many "noodly [[appendage]]s".]]

[[Image:FSM_Logo.JPG|250px|right|thumb|Logo of the Flying Spaghetti Monster on a car bumper.]]

The '''Flying Spaghetti Monster''' (also known as the '''Spaghedeity''') is the deity of a <!-- we have a large number of reliable sources for this. Please discuss on the talk page before removing the word "parody" Thanks --> [[parody religion]]<ref name="cepa">{{cite web |url=http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc07/EDOC11375.htm |title=The dangers of creationism in education |accessdate=2007-10-22 |work=[http://assembly.coe.int/ Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly]}}</ref> called '''The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster''' and its system of beliefs, '''"Pastafarianism"'''.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/arts/design/29mons.html?ex=1178251200 |title=But Is There Intelligent Spaghetti Out There? |accessdate=2007-02-05 |format= |work=[[New York Times]] Arts article}}</ref> The religion was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson to protest the [[Kansas evolution hearings|decision by the Kansas State Board of Education]] to require the teaching of [[intelligent design]] as an alternative to biological [[evolution]].

In an [[open letter]] sent to the education board, Henderson professes belief in a [[supernatural]] [[Creator God|creator]] called the Flying Spaghetti Monster which resembles [[spaghetti]] and [[meatball]]s.<ref name="openletter">{{cite web | author=Henderson, Bobby| year=2005| title=Open Letter To Kansas School Board | format=HTML| url=http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/ | accessdate=2007-01-09}}</ref> He furthermore calls for the "Pastafarian" theory of creation to be taught in science classrooms.<ref name="wpost">{{cite news | title=Verbatim: Noodle This, Kansas | date=[[August 28]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Washington Post]] | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/27/AR2005082700019.html?nav=most_emailed }}</ref>

Due to its recent popularity and media exposure, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is often used by [[atheism|atheists]], [[agnosticism|agnostics]] (known by Pastafarians as "spagnostics"), and others as a modern version of [[Russell's teapot]]<ref>{{cite news | title=The Church of the Non-Believers | first=Gary | last=Wolf | date=[[November 14]], [[2006]] | publisher=[[Wired News]] | url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/atheism.html}}</ref> and the [[Invisible Pink Unicorn]].

==History and developments==
The first public exposure of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CoFSM) and its eponymous deity can be dated to January 2005, when Bobby Henderson, describing himself as a concerned citizen, sent an [[open letter]] regarding the FSM to the Kansas Board of Education. The letter was sent prior to the [[Kansas evolution hearings]] as an argument against the teaching of [[intelligent design]] in biology classes. Henderson stated that both his theory and intelligent design had equal validity; saying
:''"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, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."''<ref name="openletter"/>

Henderson explained, "I don't have a problem with religion. What I have a problem with is religion posing as science. If there is a [[god]] and he's intelligent, then I would guess he has a sense of humor."<ref name="randi">{{cite web |url=http://www.randi.org/jr/200509/091605church.html#1 |title=Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster |accessdate=2007-02-05 |format= |work=[[James Randi Educational Foundation]] article [[September 16]] [[2005]]}}</ref>

The Board only responded after Henderson posted the letter on his website, gaining significant public interest.<ref name="openletterabout">{{cite web | title=Discussion of the Open Letter | publisher=Henderson, Bobby | url=http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/discussion/ | accessdate=2007-04-07 }}</ref> Henderson subsequently published the responses<ref name="openletterrespond">{{cite web | title=Kansas School Board Responses to the Open Letter | publisher=Henderson, Bobby | url=http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/responses/ | year = 2005 | month = [[June 25]] | accessdate=2006-01-09}}</ref> he received from board members.

As word of Henderson's challenge to the board spread, the website and Henderson's cause gathered more attention and support. The satiric nature of Henderson's argument made the Flying Spaghetti Monster popular with bloggers as well as humor and internet culture websites.<ref name="spiegel">{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,371205,00.html |publisher=[[Der Spiegel]] |date=[[2005-08-24]] |accessdate=2007-09-08 |quote=[FSM] has certainly caught the imagination of the online community [...] Henderson receives over 150 emails from supporters every day. |title=A Tangled Tale of a Pasta-based Prophet }}</ref> The site was featured on websites such as [[Boing Boing]], [[Something Awful]], [[Uncyclopedia]] and [[Fark.com]]. The mainstream media quickly picked up on the phenomenon as the Flying Spaghetti Monster became a symbol for the case against intelligent design theory in public education.<ref>{{cite news | title=The Flying Spaghetti Monster | date=[[August 6]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[New Scientist]] | url=http://www.newscientist.com/backpage.ns?id=mg18725112.800 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Rothschild | title=Evolution debate creates monster | date=[[August 24]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Lawrence Journal-World]] | url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/aug/24/evolution_debate_creates_monster/?education }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Sarah | last=Boxer | title=But Is There Intelligent Spaghetti Out There? | date=[[August 29]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[New York Times]] | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/arts/design/29mons.html?ex=1282968000&en=ee37c2cf9d5884e7&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss }}</ref> Henderson himself is surprised by its success, stating that he "wrote the letter for [his] own amusement as much as anything."<ref name="usatoday">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2006-03-26-spaghetti-monster_x.htm |title='Spaghetti Monster' is noodling around with faith |accessdate=2007-02-05 |format= |work=[[USA Today]] Science & Space article}}</ref>

In August 2005, in response to a challenge from a reader, [[BoingBoing]].net announced a $250,000 challenge, later raised to $1,000,000, of "Intelligently Designed currency" by other bloggers, payable to any individual who could produce [[empiricism|empirical]] evidence proving that [[Jesus]] is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, though Jesus is not a part of Pastafarianism.<ref>{{cite web | title=Boing Boing's $250,000 Intelligent Design challenge | publisher = BoingBoing.net | url=http://www.boingboing.net/2005/08/19/boing_boings_250000_.html | year = 2005 | month = [[August 19]] | accessdate=2006-06-11}}</ref> The challenge is modeled after a similar challenge issued by [[Young Earth creationism|young-Earth creationist]] [[Kent Hovind]] (an award of $250,000 to anyone who can prove evolution "is the only possible way" that the Universe and life arose).

In November of the same year the school board voted to allow criticisms of evolution, including language about creative design, as part of testing standards.<ref name="washpost">{{cite news | title=Kansas Education Board First to Back "Intelligent Design" | date=[[November 9]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Washington Post]] | http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110801211.html}}</ref> On [[February 13]], [[2007]], the Board voted 6 to 4 to reject the amended science standards enacted in 2005. This was the fifth time in eight years that the board had rewritten the standards concerning evolution.<ref name="msnbc2">{{cite news | title=Kansas board boosts evolution education | date=[[February 14]], [[2007]] | publisher=[[MSNBC]] | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17132925/}}</ref>

Bobby Henderson, a 25 year old [[Oregon State University]] physics graduate, had stated on his web site that he was desperately trying to avoid taking a job programming slot machines in [[Las Vegas]].<ref name="nytimes"/> On November 15 the [[Dallas Morning News]] described him as an unemployed slot-machine engineer,<ref name="Dallas Morning News">{{cite news | first=Clarence | last=Page | title=Keeping ID out of science classes| publisher=[[Dallas Morning News]] | date=[[November 15]], [[2005]] | url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/balance/stories/111505dnedicyberpage.b4d5bd9.html}}</ref> and on the following day the [[New York Magazine]] described an advance from [[Villard (imprint)|Villard]] to write ''The Gospel of The Flying Spaghetti Monster'' with the subheading "Jackpot for unemployed slot-machine engineer and heretic".<ref name="newyorkmag">{{cite news | first=Eric | last=Wolff | title=The Case For Intelligent Design: Spaghetti as the Creator | publisher=[[New York Magazine]] | date=[[November 16]], [[2005]] | url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/15011/}}</ref> As of February 2008, Henderson describes himself as spending "a lot of time trying to avoid a Real Job", saying that "it’s not just about the money. Speculative work is more interesting. Specifically, I’m interested in random stupid projects." He cites as a successful example his "taco-art project" which took him one day, and orders for prints had made him over $2000, though many other "stupid (but interesting) projects" didn’t work out.<ref name="Bobby Hendersons blog">{{cite web |url=http://blog.venganza.org/post/25299855 |title=Bobby Henderson's blog: Work Expectation Value |accessdate=2008-02-07 |format= |work=}}</ref>

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".<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/personal/11/16/flying.spaghettimonster.ap/index.html | title =Religious scholars mull Flying Spaghetti Monster | date= [[2007-11-16]] | publisher= AP| accessdate =2007-11-16}}</ref> 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?"<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5izIdAiH7TCkYQq8AvK6KbH480paAD8SUOUQG1 Pasta Monster Gets Academic Attention] [[AP]] [[November 17]] [[2007]]</ref>

In [[December 2007]], ''[[The Ledger]]'' reported that members of venganza website, ''Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster'', sent emails to School Board members in [[Polk County, Florida]], on the issue of intelligent design.<ref>{{cite news |author=John Chambliss |title= Satirical Monsters More Competition for Darwin|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20071211/NEWS/712110392/0/FRONTPAGE |publisher=The Ledger |date=2007-12-11 |accessdate=2007-12-13 }} </ref>

==Beliefs==


Henderson proposed many of the beliefs in reaction to common arguments by proponents of [[intelligent design]].<ref name=gelf>{{cite news | first=Jessica | last=Thierman | title=Touched by his Noodly Appendage | date=[[September 18]] [[2005]] | publisher=[[Gelf Magazine]] | url=http://www.gelfmagazine.com/mt/archives/touched_by_his_noodly_appendage.html }}</ref>

The [[canonical]] beliefs of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism are set forth by Henderson in the Open Letter,<ref name="openletter"/> ''the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster'', and on Henderson's web site,<ref name="venganza">{{cite web | author=Henderson, Bobby| year=2005| title=Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster | format=HTML| url=http://www.venganza.org/ | accessdate=2006-06-11}}</ref> where he is described as a [[prophet]].

The central belief is that there is an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster, which created the entire [[universe]] "after drinking heavily."<ref name="usatoday"/> All evidence for [[evolution]] was planted by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, in an effort to test Pastafarians' faith—a form of the [[Omphalos (theology)|Omphalos hypothesis]]. When scientific measurements, such as [[radiocarbon dating]], are made, the Flying Spaghetti Monster "is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage."<ref name="openletter"/>

The Pastafarian belief of [[heaven]] stresses that it contains [[beer]] volcanoes and a [[stripper]] factory.<ref name="flashguide">{{cite web | author=DuBay, Tim | year=2005| title=Guide to Pastafarianism | format=Shockwave Flash| url=http://www.venganza.org/flash/guidetopastafarianismpreloaded.swf | accessdate=2006-08-26}}</ref> [[Hell]] is similar, except that the beer is stale, and the strippers have [[Venereal disease|VD]].<ref name="hell">The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, p.83</ref>

The religious text of the Pastafarian religion is called the Loose Canon. In place of the [[Ten Commandments]], it contains [[The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster#The Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts"|the Eight I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts]].

The official conclusion to prayers is "RAmen", contained in certain sections of ''[[The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]]'', and so on. It is a [[portmanteau]] of the [[Semitic]] term "[[Amen]]" (used in [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]) and [[Ramen]], a [[noodle]]. While it is typically spelled with both a capital "R" and "A", it is also acceptable to spell it with only a capital R.

===Pirates and global warming===
[[Image:FSM Pirates.png|250px|thumb|right|Chart comparing Number of Pirates versus Global Warming. The labels on the x-axis are deliberately misleading.]]

According to the Pastafarian belief system, [[pirates]] are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians.<ref name="openletter" /> Their image as "thieves and outcasts" is misinformation spread by [[Christianity|Christian]] theologians in the [[Middle Ages]] and [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|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 [[Piracy|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]], [[earthquake]]s, [[hurricane]]s, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of pirates since the 1800s."<ref name="openletter" /> A chart accompanying the letter shows that as the number of pirates decreased, global temperatures increased; the absurdity of this demonstrates how statistically significant correlations do not imply a causal relationship (see [[confounding]]).

===''The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster''===
[[Image:Fsm book.jpg|left|125px|thumb|''The Gospel of The Flying Spaghetti Monster'']]
{{main|The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster}}

In December 2005, Bobby Henderson received a reported [[United States dollar|USD]] $80,000 advance from [[Villard (imprint)|Villard]] to pen ''The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster''. Henderson said he plans to use the proceeds from the sale of the book to build a pirate ship, with which he may travel the world in order to convert heathens to the Pastafarian religion.<ref>{{cite news | first=Katleen | last=Craig | title=Passion of the Spaghetti Monster | date=[[December 22]], [[2005]] | publisher=Wired News | url=http://wired.com/news/politics/0,69905-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_5 }}</ref><ref name="newyorkmag"/> The book was released on [[March 28]], [[2006]] (ISBN 0-8129-7656-8).

''The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster'' is the Pastafarian equivalent of the [[Bible]]. It parodies biblical figures with characters such as Captain Mosey, a pirate and the FSM equivalent of [[Moses]]. The Gospel contains the aforementioned Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts." It also provides information on how to convert non-"Pastafarians" and explains many of the religion's beliefs (for example, that lack of pirates causes global warming).

==Polk County, Florida==
In December 2007 the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was credited with being at the forefront of successful efforts in [[Polk County, Florida]] to persuade Polk County School Board to withdraw from a potential challenge to new science standards mentioning evolution, raised as an issue after five of its seven members declared a personal belief in the concept of intelligent design. Opponents describing themselves as Pastafarians sent e-mails to Polk school board members, demanding equal time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism. The e-mail was dismissed as ridiculous and insulting by Margaret Lofton, one of the school board members supporting intelligent design, who said "They've made us the laughingstock of the world". The controversy developed, with scientists expressing their opposition to the claims of intelligent design. Hopes for a new applied science-focused campus of the [[University of South Florida]] being located in northeast Lakeland were reportedly in question, with university vice president Marshall Goodman expressing surprise and saying of intelligent design that "It's not science. You can't even call it pseudo-science." Lofton stated that she had no interest in engaging with the Pastafarians or anyone else seeking to discredit intelligent design and, while reaffirming her belief that the Bible is inerrant truth and the word of God, stated that she would not resign over the issue. The other board members wanted simply to return to the day-to-day work of running the school district.<ref name=Polk>{{cite web |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/22/na-polk-needled-noodled-in-evolution-flap/ |title=Polk Needled, Noodled In Evolution Flap |accessdate=2007-12-23 |author=Billy Townsend |date=December 22, 2007 |format= |work= |publisher=The Tampa Tribune }}</ref>

==The Flying Spaghetti Monster in media==
[[Image:FSM logo2.svg|thumb|right|The FSM logo is a parody of the [[Ichthys]] or "Jesus Fish". It contains the basic body shape of the Ichthys, two eye stalks, six "noodly appendages", and the initials "FSM" for Flying Spaghetti Monster.]]

===In the news===
[[Image:Fsm baltimore.jpg|thumb|right|Billboard in [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]] spoofing the city's "BELIEVE" campaign and [[Baltimorese|local dialect]].]]
* In August, 2005, the Swedish concept designer Niklas Jansson created, "pretty much free to use for press and such as far as I'm concerned"<ref>[http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/index.htm http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/]</ref>, an adaptation of Michelangelo's ''[[The Creation of Adam]]'' (superimposing the Flying Spaghetti Monster over [[God]]) which became and remains today the FSM's [[de facto]] [[Brand|brand image]].
* The band [[New York Dolls]] added the FSM to their music video [[One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This|"Dance like a Monkey"]].<ref>{{cite web | title=New York Dolls — Dance Like a Monkey | url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_XEiV-l97o }}</ref>
* A section of the open letter to the Kansas School Board appeared in the January 2006 edition of ''[[Playboy]]''.
* Bryan Killian, a [[high school]] student in [[Buncombe County]] in [[North Carolina]], was suspended for wearing "pirate regalia", which he said was part of his faith. Killian protested the suspension, saying it violated his right to [[religious freedom]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Citizen Times article on Bryan Killian's suspension | url=http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770328123 }}</ref>
* The Flying Spaghetti Monster was featured in the Dec/Jan issue of the science magazine ''[[Seed (magazine)|Seed]]'' in a section dedicated to the year in review 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seedmagazine.com/news/2005/12/year_in_science_issues.php?page=2 |title=Year in Science |date=[[2005-12-27]] |publisher=[[Seed (magazine)|Seed]] |accessdate=2007-08-10 }}</ref>
* The [[Hunger Artists Theatre Company]] produced a comedy called ''[[The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant]]'' in December of 2006, detailing the history of Pastafarianism.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant | publisher = Hunger Artists Theatre Company | url=http://www.hungerartists.com/fsm.htm | year = 2006 | month = December | accessdate=2006-11-29}}</ref> The production has spawned a sequel, to be performed in December of 2008.<ref>{{cite web | title=Hunger Artists Theatre Company's 2008 Season | publisher = Hunger Artists Theatre Company | url=http://www.hungerartists.com/season08.htm | year = [[2007]] | month = [[November]] | accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref>
* Pastafarianism was featured in a November 2007 issue of the science magazine ''[[New Scientist]]''.<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19626292.900-feedback.html Recognition for Our Noodly Friend]</ref>
* On [[August 3]], [[2007]] in the [[Netherlands]], a demonstration was set up by Pastafarians to protest against the [[Evangelische Omroep]] (EO), a public broadcaster with a strong evangelical background, after the EO edited a BBC documentary to remove parts about evolution.<ref>{{cite web
| date = [[2007-08-03]]
| title =Bekeren kan je leren
| publisher =Nederlandse Omroep Stichting
| url =http://www.nosheadlines.nl/forum.php/list_messages/7544
| accessdate =2007-08-06
| language=Dutch
}}</ref>

===In literature and fiction===
* The popular [[sprite comic]] ''[[Bob and George]]'' featured the Flying Spaghetti Monster during a brief series of gags explaining why there were no new comics in the current storyline. The comic also refers to the [[Invisible Pink Unicorn]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Bob and George Comic from April 3, 2006 | url=http://www.bobandgeorge.com/Archive/index.php?date=060403}}</ref>
* ''[[Ctrl+Alt+Del]]'' is another [[webcomic]] where the Flying Spaghetti Monster is referred to as a reason for one of the protagonist's problems.<ref>{{cite web | title=CTRL ALT DEL Well technically... from August 27, 2005 | url=http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20050827}}</ref>
* In episode #108 of the webcomic ''Best of Friends'', the Flying Spaghetti Monster is satirically talked about as though he were real by Jesus and Buddha while Scientology's [[Xenu]] is questioned as being made up.<ref>{{cite web | title=Best of Friends January 28,2008 | url=http://www.bofcomic.com/BoF_108W.jpg}}</ref>
* The Flying Spaghetti Monster has been used by [[Richard Dawkins]] in his book ''[[The God Delusion]]'', to demonstrate ideas from that book. It has also been featured in several other media outlets, including ''[[The Colbert Report]]'', ''[[The IT Crowd]]'' and ''[[Science Friday]]''.<ref>{{cite news | title = Richard Dawkins / Salmon Farming | work = [[Science Friday]] | language = English | publisher = [[NPR]] | date = [[October 6]], [[2006]] | url = http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/2006/Oct/hour2_100606.html | accessdate =}}</ref> Dawkins' animated counterpart in the ''[[South Park]]'' episode "[[Go God Go]]" referred to the Monster in an argument against religion.
*[[Neil Gaiman]]'s novel ''[[InterWorld]]'' mentions the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a list of legitimate deities one might believe in.

==See also==
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
* [[Creation-evolution controversy]]
* [[Criticism of Religion]]
* [[Church of the SubGenius]]
* [[Discordianism]]
* [[Invisible Pink Unicorn]]
* [[Last Thursdayism]]
* [[Open source religion]]
* [[Religion and the Internet]]
* [[Russell's teapot]]
* [[Douglas Adams#Sentient puddle|Sentient puddle]]
* [[International Talk Like a Pirate Day]]
</div>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Flying Spaghetti Monster}}
* [http://www.venganza.org Originating Website, including Henderson's open letter sent to the Kansas Board of Education]
* [http://fsm.ft.co.kr/ church of FSM Korea website]
* [[uncyclopedia:Flying Spaghetti Monster|Flying Spaghetti Monster]] Flying Spaghetti Monster entry at the [[Uncyclopedia]]
* [http://www.oregonnews.com/article/20050913/NEWS/109130022 Henderson news article]
* [http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?cat=20 Sampling of Evidence in Support of the FSM] — from the Science Creative Quarterly
* [http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc07/EDOC11375.htm The dangers of creationism in education] (see Clause #52)
* [http://www.hobotrashcan.com/gettingtoknow/talklikeapirateday.php The Creators of International Talk Like A Pirate Day give their support to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster], HoboTrashcan.com interview
* [http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/edibleeyes Recipe for an edible FSM with many pics- take your FSM Communion to a whole new level!] From Evil Mad Scientist

;News articles
* {{cite book | first=Bobby | last=Henderson | title=The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster | publisher= Villard Books | year=2006 | id=ISBN 0-8129-7656-8}}
* {{cite news | first=Jack | last=Schofield | title="Intelligent Design" and Pastafarianism | date=[[August 20]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Guardian Unlimited]] | url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2005/08/20/intelligent_design_and_pastafarianism.html }}
* {{cite news | title=Evolution Debate Spawns a Saucy Monster | date=[[August 28]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Wichita Eagle]] | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051101013712/http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/local/12497453.htm }}
* {{cite news | title = In the beginning there was the Flying Spaghetti Monster | date=[[September 11]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Daily Telegraph]] | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/09/11/wfsm11.xml }}
* {{cite news | title = Flying Spaghetti Monster gains following | date=[[September 24]], [[2005]] | publisher=[[Associated Press]] | url=http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2005/09/25/news/the_west/west03.txt }}
* {{cite news | first=Eric | last=Wolff | title=The $80,000 Pasta Bible Jackpot for unemployed slot-machine engineer and heretic | publisher=[[New York Magazine]] | date=[[November 16]], [[2005]] | url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/15011/}}
<!-- NOTE to other over-eager editors; the Nov 16, 2007 AP article is already mentioned above, no need to add it again -->
{{irreligion}}
{{Belief systems}}

[[Category:Fictional deities]]
[[Category:Intelligent design parodies]]
[[Category:Internet memes]]
[[Category:Religious parodies and satires]]
[[Category:Parodies]]
[[Category:Arguments against the existence of God]]
[[Category:Creator gods]]

[[als:Fliegendes Spaghettimonster]]
[[ar:وحش السباجيتي الطائر]]
[[ast:Pastafarismu]]
[[ca:Pastafarisme]]
[[cs:Létající špagetové monstrum]]
[[co:Flying Spaghetti Monsterism]]
[[da:Det flyvende spaghettimonster]]
[[de:Fliegendes Spaghettimonster]]
[[el:Ιπτάμενο μακαρονοτέρας]]
[[es:Pastafarismo]]
[[eo:Fluganta Spagetmonstro]]
[[fa:هیولای اسپاگتی پرنده]]
[[fr:Pastafarisme]]
[[gl:Pastafarismo]]
[[ko:날아다니는 스파게티 괴물]]
[[is:Kirkja hins fljúgandi spagettískrímslis]]
[[it:Pastafarianesimo]]
[[he:מפלצת הספגטי המעופפת]]
[[la:Macaronoteras Volatile]]
[[lt:Skraidantis Spageti Monstras]]
[[hu:Repülő Spagettiszörny]]
[[nl:Vliegend Spaghettimonster]]
[[ja:空飛ぶスパゲッティ・モンスター教]]
[[no:Flygende spaghettimonster]]
[[uz:Uchar Lagʻmon Jonivori]]
[[pl:Latający Potwór Spaghetti]]
[[pt:Flying Spaghetti Monsterism]]
[[ru:Летающий Макаронный Монстр]]
[[fi:Lentävä spagettihirviö]]
[[sv:Det flygande spaghettimonstret]]
[[th:ปีศาจสปาเกตตีลอยฟ้า]]
[[tr:Pastafaryanizm]]
[[uk:Літаючий локшинний монстр]]
[[zh:飞行面条怪物信仰]]

Revision as of 01:24, 12 February 2008

"Bobby Henderson" redirects here. For other uses, see Bobby Henderson (disambiguation).
File:Touched by His Noodly Appendage.jpg
Niklas Jansson's adaptation of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam depicts the Flying Spaghetti Monster in its typical guise as a clump of tangled spaghetti with two eyestalks, two meatballs, and many "noodly appendages".
File:FSM Logo.JPG
Logo of the Flying Spaghetti Monster on a car bumper.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster (also known as the Spaghedeity) is the deity of a parody religion[1] called The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and its system of beliefs, "Pastafarianism".[2] The religion was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson to protest the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to biological evolution.

In an open letter sent to the education board, Henderson professes belief in a supernatural creator called the Flying Spaghetti Monster which resembles spaghetti and meatballs.[3] He furthermore calls for the "Pastafarian" theory of creation to be taught in science classrooms.[4]

Due to its recent popularity and media exposure, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is often used by atheists, agnostics (known by Pastafarians as "spagnostics"), and others as a modern version of Russell's teapot[5] and the Invisible Pink Unicorn.

History and developments

The first public exposure of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CoFSM) and its eponymous deity can be dated to January 2005, when Bobby Henderson, describing himself as a concerned citizen, sent an open letter regarding the FSM to the Kansas Board of Education. The letter was sent prior to the Kansas evolution hearings as an argument against the teaching of intelligent design in biology classes. Henderson stated that both his theory and intelligent design had equal validity; saying

"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, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."[3]

Henderson explained, "I don't have a problem with religion. What I have a problem with is religion posing as science. If there is a god and he's intelligent, then I would guess he has a sense of humor."[6]

The Board only responded after Henderson posted the letter on his website, gaining significant public interest.[7] Henderson subsequently published the responses[8] he received from board members.

As word of Henderson's challenge to the board spread, the website and Henderson's cause gathered more attention and support. The satiric nature of Henderson's argument made the Flying Spaghetti Monster popular with bloggers as well as humor and internet culture websites.[9] The site was featured on websites such as Boing Boing, Something Awful, Uncyclopedia and Fark.com. The mainstream media quickly picked up on the phenomenon as the Flying Spaghetti Monster became a symbol for the case against intelligent design theory in public education.[10][11][12] Henderson himself is surprised by its success, stating that he "wrote the letter for [his] own amusement as much as anything."[13]

In August 2005, in response to a challenge from a reader, BoingBoing.net announced a $250,000 challenge, later raised to $1,000,000, of "Intelligently Designed currency" by other bloggers, payable to any individual who could produce empirical evidence proving that Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, though Jesus is not a part of Pastafarianism.[14] The challenge is modeled after a similar challenge issued by young-Earth creationist Kent Hovind (an award of $250,000 to anyone who can prove evolution "is the only possible way" that the Universe and life arose).

In November of the same year the school board voted to allow criticisms of evolution, including language about creative design, as part of testing standards.[15] On February 13, 2007, the Board voted 6 to 4 to reject the amended science standards enacted in 2005. This was the fifth time in eight years that the board had rewritten the standards concerning evolution.[16]

Bobby Henderson, a 25 year old Oregon State University physics graduate, had stated on his web site that he was desperately trying to avoid taking a job programming slot machines in Las Vegas.[2] On November 15 the Dallas Morning News described him as an unemployed slot-machine engineer,[17] and on the following day the New York Magazine described an advance from Villard to write The Gospel of The Flying Spaghetti Monster with the subheading "Jackpot for unemployed slot-machine engineer and heretic".[18] As of February 2008, Henderson describes himself as spending "a lot of time trying to avoid a Real Job", saying that "it’s not just about the money. Speculative work is more interesting. Specifically, I’m interested in random stupid projects." He cites as a successful example his "taco-art project" which took him one day, and orders for prints had made him over $2000, though many other "stupid (but interesting) projects" didn’t work out.[19]

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".[20] 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?"[21]

In December 2007, The Ledger reported that members of venganza website, Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, sent emails to School Board members in Polk County, Florida, on the issue of intelligent design.[22]

Beliefs

Henderson proposed many of the beliefs in reaction to common arguments by proponents of intelligent design.[23]

The canonical beliefs of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism are set forth by Henderson in the Open Letter,[3] the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and on Henderson's web site,[24] where he is described as a prophet.

The central belief is that there is an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster, which created the entire universe "after drinking heavily."[13] All evidence for evolution was planted by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, in an effort to test Pastafarians' faith—a form of the Omphalos hypothesis. When scientific measurements, such as radiocarbon dating, are made, the Flying Spaghetti Monster "is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage."[3]

The Pastafarian belief of heaven stresses that it contains beer volcanoes and a stripper factory.[25] Hell is similar, except that the beer is stale, and the strippers have VD.[26]

The religious text of the Pastafarian religion is called the Loose Canon. In place of the Ten Commandments, it contains the Eight I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts.

The official conclusion to prayers is "RAmen", contained in certain sections of The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and so on. It is a portmanteau of the Semitic term "Amen" (used in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and Ramen, a noodle. While it is typically spelled with both a capital "R" and "A", it is also acceptable to spell it with only a capital R.

Pirates and global warming

File:FSM Pirates.png
Chart comparing Number of Pirates versus Global Warming. The labels on the x-axis are deliberately misleading.

According to the Pastafarian belief system, pirates are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians.[3] Their image as "thieves and outcasts" is misinformation spread by Christian theologians in the Middle Ages and 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."[3] A chart accompanying the letter shows that as the number of pirates decreased, global temperatures increased; the absurdity of this demonstrates how statistically significant correlations do not imply a causal relationship (see confounding).

The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

File:Fsm book.jpg
The Gospel of The Flying Spaghetti Monster
Main article: The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

In December 2005, Bobby Henderson received a reported USD $80,000 advance from Villard to pen The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Henderson said he plans to use the proceeds from the sale of the book to build a pirate ship, with which he may travel the world in order to convert heathens to the Pastafarian religion.[27][18] The book was released on March 28, 2006 (ISBN 0-8129-7656-8).

The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the Pastafarian equivalent of the Bible. It parodies biblical figures with characters such as Captain Mosey, a pirate and the FSM equivalent of Moses. The Gospel contains the aforementioned Eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts." It also provides information on how to convert non-"Pastafarians" and explains many of the religion's beliefs (for example, that lack of pirates causes global warming).

Polk County, Florida

In December 2007 the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was credited with being at the forefront of successful efforts in Polk County, Florida to persuade Polk County School Board to withdraw from a potential challenge to new science standards mentioning evolution, raised as an issue after five of its seven members declared a personal belief in the concept of intelligent design. Opponents describing themselves as Pastafarians sent e-mails to Polk school board members, demanding equal time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism. The e-mail was dismissed as ridiculous and insulting by Margaret Lofton, one of the school board members supporting intelligent design, who said "They've made us the laughingstock of the world". The controversy developed, with scientists expressing their opposition to the claims of intelligent design. Hopes for a new applied science-focused campus of the University of South Florida being located in northeast Lakeland were reportedly in question, with university vice president Marshall Goodman expressing surprise and saying of intelligent design that "It's not science. You can't even call it pseudo-science." Lofton stated that she had no interest in engaging with the Pastafarians or anyone else seeking to discredit intelligent design and, while reaffirming her belief that the Bible is inerrant truth and the word of God, stated that she would not resign over the issue. The other board members wanted simply to return to the day-to-day work of running the school district.[28]

The Flying Spaghetti Monster in media

File:FSM logo2.svg
The FSM logo is a parody of the Ichthys or "Jesus Fish". It contains the basic body shape of the Ichthys, two eye stalks, six "noodly appendages", and the initials "FSM" for Flying Spaghetti Monster.

In the news

File:Fsm baltimore.jpg
Billboard in Baltimore spoofing the city's "BELIEVE" campaign and local dialect.

In literature and fiction

  • The popular sprite comic Bob and George featured the Flying Spaghetti Monster during a brief series of gags explaining why there were no new comics in the current storyline. The comic also refers to the Invisible Pink Unicorn.[37]
  • Ctrl+Alt+Del is another webcomic where the Flying Spaghetti Monster is referred to as a reason for one of the protagonist's problems.[38]
  • In episode #108 of the webcomic Best of Friends, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is satirically talked about as though he were real by Jesus and Buddha while Scientology's Xenu is questioned as being made up.[39]
  • The Flying Spaghetti Monster has been used by Richard Dawkins in his book The God Delusion, to demonstrate ideas from that book. It has also been featured in several other media outlets, including The Colbert Report, The IT Crowd and Science Friday.[40] Dawkins' animated counterpart in the South Park episode "Go God Go" referred to the Monster in an argument against religion.
  • Neil Gaiman's novel InterWorld mentions the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a list of legitimate deities one might believe in.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The dangers of creationism in education". Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. Retrieved 2007-10-22. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  2. ^ a b "But Is There Intelligent Spaghetti Out There?". New York Times Arts article. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Henderson, Bobby (2005). "Open Letter To Kansas School Board" (HTML). Retrieved 2007-01-09.
  4. ^ "Verbatim: Noodle This, Kansas". Washington Post. August 28, 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Wolf, Gary (November 14, 2006). "The Church of the Non-Believers". Wired News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster". James Randi Educational Foundation article September 16 2005. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  7. ^ "Discussion of the Open Letter". Henderson, Bobby. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  8. ^ "Kansas School Board Responses to the Open Letter". Henderson, Bobby. 2005. Retrieved 2006-01-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ "A Tangled Tale of a Pasta-based Prophet". Der Spiegel. 2005-08-24. Retrieved 2007-09-08. [FSM] has certainly caught the imagination of the online community [...] Henderson receives over 150 emails from supporters every day. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "The Flying Spaghetti Monster". New Scientist. August 6, 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Rothschild, Scott (August 24, 2005). "Evolution debate creates monster". Lawrence Journal-World. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Boxer, Sarah (August 29, 2005). "But Is There Intelligent Spaghetti Out There?". New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b "'Spaghetti Monster' is noodling around with faith". USA Today Science & Space article. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
  14. ^ "Boing Boing's $250,000 Intelligent Design challenge". BoingBoing.net. 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Kansas Education Board First to Back "Intelligent Design"". Washington Post. November 9, 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/08/AR2005110801211.html" ignored (help)
  16. ^ "Kansas board boosts evolution education". MSNBC. February 14, 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Page, Clarence (November 15, 2005). "Keeping ID out of science classes". Dallas Morning News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b Wolff, Eric (November 16, 2005). "The Case For Intelligent Design: Spaghetti as the Creator". New York Magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Bobby Henderson's blog: Work Expectation Value". Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  20. ^ "Religious scholars mull Flying Spaghetti Monster". AP. 2007-11-16. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Pasta Monster Gets Academic Attention AP November 17 2007
  22. ^ John Chambliss (2007-12-11). "Satirical Monsters More Competition for Darwin". The Ledger. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
  23. ^ Thierman, Jessica (September 18 2005). "Touched by his Noodly Appendage". Gelf Magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ Henderson, Bobby (2005). "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" (HTML). Retrieved 2006-06-11.
  25. ^ DuBay, Tim (2005). "Guide to Pastafarianism" (Shockwave Flash). Retrieved 2006-08-26.
  26. ^ The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, p.83
  27. ^ Craig, Katleen (December 22, 2005). "Passion of the Spaghetti Monster". Wired News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Billy Townsend (December 22, 2007). "Polk Needled, Noodled In Evolution Flap". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  29. ^ http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/
  30. ^ "New York Dolls — Dance Like a Monkey".
  31. ^ "Citizen Times article on Bryan Killian's suspension".
  32. ^ "Year in Science". Seed. 2005-12-27. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant". Hunger Artists Theatre Company. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  34. ^ "Hunger Artists Theatre Company's 2008 Season". Hunger Artists Theatre Company. 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  35. ^ Recognition for Our Noodly Friend
  36. ^ "Bekeren kan je leren" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 2007-08-03. Retrieved 2007-08-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ "Bob and George Comic from April 3, 2006".
  38. ^ "CTRL ALT DEL Well technically... from August 27, 2005".
  39. ^ "Best of Friends January 28,2008".
  40. ^ "Richard Dawkins / Salmon Farming". Science Friday. NPR. October 6, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
News articles
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