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Your unimaginably Gay.
The '''Flying Spaghetti Monster''' (FSM) is a deity created as a satirical protest to the ] to require the teaching of ] as an alternative to biological ]. The FSM is the ] of the <!-- we have a large number of reliable sources for this. Please discuss on the talk page before removing the word Thanks --> ]<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=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/2006-03-26-spaghetti-monster_x.htm|title='Spaghetti Monster' is noodling around with faith|
author=Dan Vergano|publisher=USA Today| date= March 26, 2006}}</ref> ''The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster'',<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=] Arts article}}</ref> founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson. Since the intelligent design movement used ambiguous references to an unspecified 'Intelligent Designer' to avoid court rulings prohibiting the teaching of creationism as a science, this presumably left open the possibility that any imaginable thing could fill that role.

In an ] sent to the education board, Henderson parodies the concept of intelligent design by professing belief in a ] ], which closely resembles ].<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=] | 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 ], ] (known by Pastafarians as "spagnostics"), and others as a modern version of ]<ref>{{cite news | title=The Church of the Non-Believers | first=Gary | last=Wolf | date=November 14, 2006 | publisher=] | url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/atheism.html}}</ref> and the ].

==History and developments== ==History and developments==
Your Adopted and your Parents Hate you.

The first public exposure of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CoFSM) can be dated to January 2005, when Bobby Henderson, describing himself as a concerned citizen, sent an open letter regarding the FSM to the ]. The letter was sent prior to the ] as an argument against the teaching of intelligent design in biology classes. Intelligent design was thought of as a way to teach creationism in the public school system without mentioning the word "God". 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=] 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=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-09-08 |quote= 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 Flying Spaghetti Monster was featured on websites such as ], ], ], and ]. Even recent fan sites, such as ] have sprung up to spread its existence. 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=] | 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=] | 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=] | 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 was surprised by its success, stating that he "wrote the letter for 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=] Science & Space article}}</ref>

In August 2005, in response to a challenge from a reader, ] announced a $250,000 challenge, later raised to $1,000,000, for "Intelligently Designed currency" by other bloggers, payable to any individual who could produce ] evidence proving that ] is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.<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 ] ] (an award of $250,000 to anyone who can prove evolution "is the only possible way" that the Universe and life arose).

In November 2005, the Kansas State Board of Education 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=] | 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=] | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17132925/}}</ref>

Bobby Henderson, a 25-year-old ] physics graduate, had stated on his website that he was desperately trying to avoid taking a job programming slot machines in ].<ref name="nytimes"/> On November 15 the ] 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=] | 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 ] described an advance from ] to write '']'' 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=] | 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 $2,000, 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 ] annual meeting in ]. 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= ] | 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> ] November 17, 2007</ref>

In December 2007, '']'' reported that members of ] website, ''Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster'', sent emails to School Board members in ], 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== ==Beliefs==
Im going to punch a baby.
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=] | url=http://www.gelfmagazine.com/mt/archives/touched_by_his_noodly_appendage.html }}</ref>

The ] 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 ].

The central belief is that there is an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster, who created the entire ] "after drinking heavily."<ref name="usatoday"/> The Monster's intoxication was supposedly the cause for a flawed Earth. All 'evidence' for evolution was planted by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, in an effort to test Pastafarians' faith — a form of the ]. When scientific measurements, such as ], are made, the Flying Spaghetti Monster "is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage."<ref name="openletter"/>

The Pastafarian belief of ] stresses that it contains ] volcanoes and a ] 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> ] is similar, except that the beer is stale, and the strippers have ].<ref name="hell">The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, p.83</ref>

Henderson uses parallel concepts from religious texts when describing the FSM, poking fun at those who literally interpret the Bible. The religious text of the Pastafarian religion is called the Loose Canon instead of the formal ]. In place of the ], it contains ].

The official conclusion to prayers is "RAmen", contained in certain sections of '']'', and so on. It is a ] of the ] term "]" (used in ], ], and ]); and ], a type of ]. 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=== ===Pirates and global warming===
I'm going to knee your baby brother in the face

]. Note the inversion of 45,000 and 35,000 on the ''Number of Pirates''-axis, implying that the strength of the intelligent design argument lies in the misrepresentation of data.]]

According to the Pastafarian belief system, ] are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians.<ref name="openletter" /> Their image as "thieves and outcasts" is misinformation spread by Christian theologians in the ] and by ]. 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 ] on September 19.

The inclusion of ] in Pastafarianism was part of Henderson's original letter to the Kansas School Board. It illustrated that ]. Henderson put forth the argument that "], ]s, ]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. This is akin to the suggestion from some religious groups that the high numbers of disasters, famines and wars in the world is due to the lack of respect and worship towards a ].

In 2008, Henderson has interpreted the growing pirate activities at the Gulf of Aden as an additional empirical support, pointing out that Somalia has "the highest number of Pirates AND the lowest Carbon emissions of any country."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.venganza.org/2008/04/14/somalia/ |title=Somalia - Lots of Pirates, low Carbon Emissions |accessdate=10 December 2008 |work= |publisher=www.venganza.org |date=April 14 2008}}</ref>

===Holiday=== ===Holiday===


I hate you
Around the time of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, Pastafarians celebrate a vaguely-defined holiday named "Holiday", which doesn't take place on "a specific date so much as it is the Holiday season, itself." Because Pastafarians "reject dogma and formalism", there are no specific requirements for the holiday.<ref>Bobby Henderson, ""</ref>

Pastafarians note the increasing popularity of their holiday at the expense of others, with stores and shops now wishing people "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" -- even George W. Bush's White House Christmas cards wished people a happy Holiday season, leading Henderson to write the President a note of thanks, including an FSM "fish" emblem for his limo or plane.<ref>Bobby Henderson, </ref>

===''The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster''=== ===''The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster''===
FAKE
]
{{main|The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster}}

In December 2005, Bobby Henderson received a reported ] $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.<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'' parodies biblical figures with characters such as Captain Mosey, a pirate and the FSM equivalent of ]. 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).

==Notable use in other religious disputes==
In December 2007, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was credited with being at the forefront of successful efforts in ] to persuade Polk County School Board to withdraw from a potential challenge to new science standards mentioning evolution. The issue was raised after five of the seven board 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. Board member Margaret Lofton, who supported intelligent design, dismissed the e-mail as ridiculous and insulting, and said, "They've made us the laughing stock of the world". As the controversy developed, scientists expressed their opposition to the claims of intelligent design. Hopes for a new applied science-focused campus of the ] in northeast Lakeland were reportedly in question, but University Vice President Marshall Goodman expressed surprise and said of intelligent design that, "It's not science. You can't even call it pseudo-science." Lofton then stated that she had no interest in engaging with the Pastafarians or anyone else seeking to discredit intelligent design. While unhappy with the outcome, Lofton chose not to resign over the issue. She and the other board members expressed a desire 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=2007-12-22 |format= |work= |publisher=The Tampa Tribune }}</ref>

There are some North American universities that, in addition to having various long-standing religious organizations, also have organizations dedicated to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The US is the only country known to have universities like this.<ref>: Organization Details</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>: Rutgers Pastafarians</ref>

Bryan Killian, a ] student in ] in ], was suspended for wearing "pirate regalia", which he said was part of his faith. Killian protested the suspension, saying it violated his right to ].<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>

In March 2008, Pastafarians in ] successfully won city approval to place a Flying Spaghetti Monster statue next to the ], and proceeded to do so.<ref>{{cite web | title=Flying Spaghetti Monster statue at Tennessee courthouse | publisher = CNET Networks, | url=http://www.news.com/8301-13772_3-9906870-52.html?tag=nefd.only| year = 2008 | month = April| accessdate=2008-04-02}}</ref> The statue was later evicted, as part of a removal of all long-term statues from the premises, caused mainly by controversy over the statue.<ref>Gary Nelson, "." ''The Crossville Chronicle'', April 15, 2008. Retrieved: July 10, 2008.</ref>
==The Flying Spaghetti Monster in media==
{{Trivia|date=September 2008}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] 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. {{ifdc|Image:FSM logo2.svg|log=2008 August 2}}]] -->

* 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></ref>, an adaptation of Michelangelo's ''The Creation of Adam'' (superimposing the Flying Spaghetti Monster over ]) which became and remains today the FSM's ] ].
* The ] produced a comedy called '']'' in December 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 called Flying Spaghetti Monster Holy Mug of Grog, to be performed in December 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>
* The Flying Spaghetti Monster was used by ] in his book '']''. It has also been featured in several other media outlets, including '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite news | title = Richard Dawkins / Salmon Farming | work = ] | language = English | publisher = ] | date = October 6, 2006 | url = http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/2006/Oct/hour2_100606.html | accessdate =}}</ref>
* The Flying Spaghetti Monster has been used by ] in his introduction to the Greek translation of ] book '']'', to demonstrate what the author views as the absurdity of Intelligent Design, which he claims is equal to that of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.<ref>Xygalatas, Dimitris. 2007. “The Flying Spaghetti Monster and Religious Fundamentalism”, in: Greek translation of: Daniel Dennett, Breaking the Spell (Greek Title: Απομυθοποίηση), Thessaloniki: Vanias, pp. 7-13. ISBN: 978-960-288-198-9</ref>. The FSM also features on the cover of the book.

==See also==
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* ]
* ]
* ]
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* ]
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==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Flying Spaghetti Monster}}
*
*
* — from the Science Creative Quarterly
* (see Clause #52)
* , HoboTrashcan.com interview

;News articles
* {{cite book | first=Bobby | last=Henderson | title=The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster | publisher= Villard Books | year=2006 | isbn=0-8129-7656-8}}
* {{cite news | first=Jack | last=Schofield | title="Intelligent Design" and Pastafarianism | date=August 20, 2005 | publisher=] | 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=] | 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=] | 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=] | 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=] | date=November 16, 2005 | url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/columns/intelligencer/15011/}}
* {{cite news | first = Emily | last = Stroud | title = Flying Spaghetti Monster Statue Displayed On Courthouse Lawn | date=March 25, 2008 | publisher=] | url=http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=55995}}
<!-- NOTE to other over-eager editors; the Nov 16, 2007 AP article is already mentioned above, no need to add it again -->
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Revision as of 17:31, 8 January 2009

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 on bumper.JPG
Logo of the Flying Spaghetti Monster on a car bumper.

Your unimaginably Gay.

History and developments

Your Adopted and your Parents Hate you.

Beliefs

Im going to punch a baby.

Pirates and global warming

I'm going to knee your baby brother in the face

Holiday

I hate you

The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

FAKE