The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is the deity of the Pastafarian “religion” … depicted as a creature made from spaghetti and meatballs … with two large, googly eyes on stalks and noodle-like appendages.
The central Pastafarian tenet is that an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe after drinking heavily. Pirates are revered as the original Pastafarians, their heaven includes a beer volcano and a stripper factory, and every Friday is celebrated as a holy day. Official Pastafarian head gear is either a pirate hat or a pasta colander. Got that?
In January 2005 Bobby Henderson, a 24 year old Oregon State University physics graduate, sent an open letter introducing the Flying Spaghetti Monster to the Kansas State Board of Education. In that letter, Henderson satirised “creationism” (the belief that the creation story from the biblical Book of Genesis is the literal truth about how the world came into being) by professing his belief that the creator was in fact the abovementioned Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Henderson argued that his beliefs were just as valid as “intelligent design” (a pseudoscientific argument for the existence of God) and called for equal time in science classrooms alongside intelligent design and evolution. Gotcha!
Henderson went on to explain: “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."
Pastafarianism is now a global phenomenon. It's a great story, and will be included in our printed REMORANDOM #2 early next year. You can read a summary of it HERE.
We were in touch with Bobby Henderson last week, and he has green lighted a range of FSM at REMO merchandise: four designs: Flying Spaghetti Monster (illustrated version), FSM Mono, FSM Colour and FSM Creation … "Touched by his Noodly Appendage" by Niklas Jansson, a parody of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam.
Browse the full range of FSM at REMO merchandise HERE.
All options great for confusing your family, friends and neighbours.
The message here is that parody has a purpose and satire makes people think.
R'Amen
Cheers,
