Flying Spaghetti Monsterism

Henderson’s point is that the concept of a Flying Spaghetti Monster is every bit as rational a concept as intelligent design. He has received sympathetic responses from members of the board who also oppose intelligent design, as well as attracting overwhelming support from ‘followers’

all over the world. (Anna Seward, Guardian Unlimited, September 30, 2005)


The debate on Intelligent Design (a pseudo-scientific designation for creationism) versus the theory of biological evolution has again captured the center-stage in the American politics. On October 18, 2004, “the Dover (Pennsylvania) school board voted 6 to 3 to require ninth-grade biology students to listen to a brief statement saying that there was a controversy over evolution, that intelligent design is a competing theory and that if they wanted to learn more the school library had the text book ‘Of Pandas and People: the Central Question of Biological Origins.’” The book is published by an intelligent design advocacy group, the Foundation for Thought and Ethics, based in Texas.

Eleven parents in Dover sued the school board and the district “contending that intelligent design – the idea that living organisms are so inexplicably complex, the best explanation is that a higher being designed them – is a Trojan horse for religion in public schools,” (The New York Times, September 26, 2005). The case is scheduled for hearing on Monday, October 3, 2005 in Federal District Court in Harrisburg. This case is being touted as “Scopes II;” Scopes I was the historical 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial.

In the mean time, a new theory of intelligent design, which I call intelligent design II, has sprouted. The creator of this theory is Bobby Henderson who is a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in physics. He propounded this satirical theory in June 2005 and called it “Flying Spaghetti Monsterism.” He was motivated to protest “the decision of Kansas State Board of Education to allow intelligent design to be taught in science classes alongside evolution.” In order to explain the essence of this new theory, it is appropriate to reproduce its beliefs hereunder (wikipedia):

1. The universe was created by an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster. All evidence pointing towards evolution was intentionally planted by this being.

2. According to the pastafarians, the monster created the world starting with a mountain, trees and a ‘midgit’ and continues to guide human affairs with his ‘noodly appendage.’ Heaven is depicted as having a stripper factory and a beer volcano. Their prayers to ‘Him’ are typically ended by ‘Ramen’ instead of ‘Amen.’

(Pastafari is a parody of rastafari. The Rastafari movement of Jah people is a religious movement that reveres Haile Selassie I, the former emperor of Ethiopia, as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Lion of Judah. Pastafari is thus a follower of ‘pasta’ [spaghetti] ).

3. Global warming, earth quakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct consequence of the decline in numbers of pirates since the 1800s......

4. Bobby Henderson is the “prophet” of this religion.



According to a report in Daily Telegraph, September 9, 2005, (In the beginning there was the Flying Spaghetti Monster), “In the past few weeks, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) has become perhaps the world’s fastest-growing ‘religion’ and maybe its most improbable. While no one can be sure of the exact numbers of ‘Pasatfarians’, as acolytes are called, they may number in the millions.” This religion seems to have intensely captivated the minds and imagination of the people and they are falling head over heels to become the followers of prophet Bobby Henderson (may FSM bless him).

Henderson wrote an open letter to Kansas School Board asking for equal time for FSM-ID II in the school curricula, because FSM is as sound a theory as ID. In this letter prophet Henderson wrote:

“Let us remember that there are multiple theories of intelligent design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith……

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In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. 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.”

Many of his followers shared their thoughts and sought Bobby Henderson’s advice on diverse issues. Only three such letters are reproduced here for the benefit of the Chowk readers.

The following letter was written by Julie (from Boise, Idaho):


Bobby:

Today I was blessed to receive a divine revelation from our Almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster. I have the privilege of informing you that it is His will that I become His Bride, in order that the Savior of mankind (who is to be called Macaroni) may be born on this earth. The FSM has revealed to me that your (my) body is to be the vehicle by which his holy seed shall be transmitted in earthly form.

To that end, I have reserved a room for us at the Best Western Airport Inn, Boise, Idaho, for the evening of [removed]. I will be the woman wearing the WWFSMD t-shirt and eye patch.

I look forward to meeting you and fulfilling the will of our noodly master.

Julie

Boise, Idaho

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There is another letter which was inspired by similar ideas of Immaculate Conception. Rebecca wrote:



Bobby:



I am so glad the word has gotten out, and just in time, too.

I am in my second trimester, and I was worried that when I gave birth to our Noodly Savior I would be shunned to the edges of society for giving birth to a fully-grown midgit in pirate regalia.

Yes, I have conceived the spirit of our Divine Lord, and immaculately, I might add. He came upon me while I was eating alone at The Olive Garden one evening this past winter--I was having a delicious meatball lasagna, I remember--and suddenly my eyes were filled with light, and the restaurant around me fell away, and there was nothing but His noodly appendage encircling me, caressing me. I cried out in ecstasy, and then I heard His voice in my ear, whispering to me, "In nine months time you shall give birth to a fully-grown midgit in pirate regalia, and He shall save the world from sin and hate and false notions about evolution and Creation."

I heard singing, and tomato sauce rained from the sky, and I saw angel hair pasta flying about with little farfalle wings and playing harps. It was beautiful. "You shall name Him....Prego...." said the Flying Spaghetti Monster, "and He shall bring in a new era of love and a worldwide following of Pastafarians willing to shed marinara sauce for what they believe."

And His noodly appendage left my trembling, sated body, and the singing faded, and I was once again in The Olive Garden, awaiting the birth of our Savior, Prego, who will deliver us from evil. I paid the check and went home and prayed all night to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. So fear not, Bobby! If Kansas refuses to include our religion in their science curriculum--imagine, survival of the fittest, ha! it is survival of the noodliest, any devout Pastafarian knows that--Prego shall smite those heathens and burn Kansas for all eternity. Ramen!

-Rebecca

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The third letter is on a different theme. It reads as follows:


Dear Bobby:

I have recently purchased one of your coffee mugs, but is giving me no end of grief. Every time I put coffee, hot chocolate, or hot tea in the mug, it instantly transubstantiates into what I assume is the blood of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It sort of looks like marinara sauce, but I’m afraid to taste it. Curiously, when I put wine into the mug, it just turns into a nice, full-blooded chianti – beer does the same thing. Is there any act of sacrifice or ritual that I can perform to stop these miracles from occurring? While I bask in His greatness and I am truly awed by His power, I’m also kind of thirst. Any advice would be welcome.

Sebastian Wren, Ph.D.

Austin, Texas

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In conclusion, I quote from the Daily Telegraph (September 11, 2005), “Barely three months later, Mr. Henderson has discovered that he really has created a monster. His website – www.venganza.org – receives as many as two million hits a day. It has been featured on several widely read blogs, one of which is offering a $1 million (545,000 pounds) prize for ‘proof’ that the Flying Spaghetti Monster does not exist.”