The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
http://www.venganza.org/

The One True Religion We all at some point have wondered how we came to be and why we are all here. At least I have. What I am about to talk about in this lens may possibly alter your life forever in a profound way. You will learn to appreciate the great complex design of the world around us. Design? Yes, the world has been created by none other than The Flying Spaghetti Monster. "In the beginning the Flying Spaghetti Monster created a mountain, some trees and a midgit" - Basic proof of design, The Gospel of the FSM Open Letter To Kansas School Board I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design. 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. Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease. I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this enough, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t. You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature. 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. Sincerely Yours, Bobby Henderson, concerned citizen. P.S. I have included an artistic drawing of Him creating a mountain, trees, and a midget. Remember, we are all His creatures.

"Awesome. I like Moby, and I’m very happy to hear that he’s Spreading the Word. And not only by wearing the shirt … The Miami New Times has included in its report of the Miami Winter Music Carnival the following:

Best Moby sighting: Around 4:30 a.m. Saturday night/Sunday morning on the Studio A dance floor, approaching the afterhours portion of the Fixed WMC Freakout party, there he was. We’ve learned Moby loves dancing among the general masses, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and hipster chicks of all flavors."

The Church of the FSM thanks you for your support, Moby!

The FSM: Or How I Learned to Stop
Worrying and Accept His Noodly Appendage

Throughout time, man has wondered what lies beyond the realm of conscious perception. Are we alone in the universe, or is our fate guided by some unseen hand. Is this hand benevolent? Malevolent? Lubricated with some form of soothing aloe vera lotion or petroleum jelly? Many disciples and holy men have come and gone throughout the eons, but none of them before, or after, have been the disciple Bobby Henderson. He is indeed the ONLY Bobby Henderson ever to be touched by a god, and blessed with being a disciple. Perhaps back in days of yore before the English language came about there could be a disciple or holy man who's name roughly translates to "Bobby Henderson", but for the sake of argument we shall put forth the proposition that there has never before been a man named Bobby Henderson who was, in fact, a disciple. For this was the man whom the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) first touched with his noodly appendage, and inspired to write the religious text now known as the "Open Letter to the Kansas School Board".

by Waldo

It was in this chapter where Disciple Henderson laid the groundwork, and described, in detail, how the FSM extended His Noodly Appendage and created from the great void a hill. Then, after seeing that the hill was good, but rather barren, He created a tree, and then several more. He realized that these trees, too, were good, but that this scene lacked vibrance and Pastafarian bliss. Therefore, he created a midget, just one. This midget was to frolic amongst the trees on the hill. From this first midget came our civilization. Not immediately, of course, because that would be silly. One midget cannot birth an entire civilization immediately, for that would be nonsense. But eventually, from the loins of that first midget, and perhaps the trees, a civilization was indeed born.

Which brings us to the present day. You may ask: What can Pastafarianism do for me? Well, Pastafarianism can solve one of the world's greatest looming dangers. If all of us embrace His Noodly Appendage, and become pirates, then we can reverse the trend of global warming! Indeed, Disciple Henderson showed, through noodly-inspired graphs and charts that global warming is caused by a declining number of pirates in the world. Therefore, Pastafarianism is the only way to save the world from traumatic climate shift.

That, is the story of the FSM.

For more information, visit the official altar of Pastafarianism: http://www.venganza.org/

by Brian Duncan

There have been many opposing viewpoints in the matter of religion. The most recent and some would say most controversial of these is the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), a belief structure that was brought to light by Bobby Henderson in 2005. The Church has been ridiculed and questioned since its first mention in the Open Letter to the Kansas School Board, written by Mr. Henderson, in response to the addition of Intelligent Design to the school's curriculum. I.D. is the belief that an otherworldly being created the universe as part of a grand plan. It is a counter-theory to Darwin's evolutionary belief.

Despite any ill thoughts about the beliefs it has been steadily growing, recalling almost 900,000 pages on the noodly creator at last check.

The following is a direct quote from the Open Letter explaining the reasoning behind introducing Pastafarianism (as the belief is called by its followers) into the school's curriculum;

"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." Bobby Henderson

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Henderson, asking him to explain his beliefs.

Q: Please briefly explain Pastafarianism.

A) Pastafarianism is a religion. We believe the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster, and that he actively changes our view of reality;
for example, we believe that the earth is thousands of years old even though our measurements tell us otherwise; we believe that he has changed our
measurements. We don't question it (you don't question matters of faith).

Q) The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has grown quite a following since the Open Letter to the Kansas School Board was published. Were you
surprised at the popularity of your beliefs?

A) Yes I am surprised at staying power of Pastafarianism. Every once and a while I get an email from people telling me to "let it die". But it's not
me - The world has embraced Pastafarianism, and I couldn't stop it if I wanted to. I am pleased at the growth - I fully expect we will be come the
largest religion in the world in a few hundred years.

Q) Many people claim that Pastafarianism was created solely as an assault to the Christians. How do you respond to this?

A) FSM was not created as an assault on Christianity or any other religion.
You could make the argument that it was to assault dogma and religion's disrespect of the separation of church and state. But, no matter how it
started, FSM is, today, seen as a legitimate religion by thousands of its members. Many of us get something out of being Pastafarians; we enjoy being
part of this community. If it offends Christians, that was not our intention. I like Jesus. I think he would have been a Pastafarian, had he
known about the FSM in his time.

Q) What is the message that you hope comes through most clearly in the belief of Pastafarianism?

A) Our top messages: freedom of belief, freedom of thought, tolerance of others, rejection of dogma, lighten up.

Q) Since the public's attention was drawn to Pastafarianism have you found more supporters or protesters to it?

A) By far, more supporters than protesters. We get a few hatemails and the occasional death threat, but most of the responses are positive.

Q) Why do you believe that pirates are the solution to the world's problems?

A) Because of my extensive science education, I am thoroughly skilled in reading graphs. The relationship between the shrinking number of pirates
and the rise in global temperature is pretty solid. You could make the argument that it is coincidental, but this is where religion comes in - you
need to have faith that it is True. We have hundreds of endorsements from the science community.

Q) Why did the Flying Spaghetti Monster create the universe?

A) I suppose he was lonely. Who knows.

Q) Did the Flying Spaghetti Monster intend for the upset the world finds itself in now?

A) We believe He has some Plan.

Q) Is there a darker force to counter the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

A) The dark forces countering the FSM: dogma, nonthinking, intolerance.

Q) Do you have any words for people that claim you are trying to make a mockery of religion or that you are trying to create a world wide cult?

A) People are welcome to characterize FSM however they like, but I am not intending to mock religion or create a world wide cult. My near-term goals
for FSM are to get a Pirate Ship for Church use, and to continue to spread the Word of the FSM to the world.

Q) What can we do, as individuals, to uphold the beliefs of Pastafarianism?

A) Individuals can uphold Pastafarian beliefs however they like. We hope that they are respectful to those who are not yet enlightened. We don't have
any sort of dogmatic rituals that must be followed.

Q) Do you, as a disciple of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, enjoy the attention that has come to the belief?

A) I have mixed feelings about the attention it brings. I enjoy it, but it is a 24/7 job, for very little pay (we don't tithe). But, I wouldn't trade
it for any other job in the world.

Q) What would you like to say to anyone that may read this?

A) I would like to invite your readers to check out our Church and see if it is a good fit.

Mr. Henderson also invites anyone that may still have questions to visit the Church's Wikipedia page or its website at Venganza.org where there is a wealth of information along with a copy of the Open Letter itself.

by Gary Mei

Perhaps the most ridiculous religion created is the religion of the flying Spaghetti Monster. Most people have either never heard of it or do not exactly know what it is.

The religion was created a few years ago by a man known as Bobby Henderson. At that time, Kansas was considering including intelligent design as one of the ways that humans were created. Many religious people had protested that evolution is not the only theory and that religious kids should be able to learn about intelligent design, which is where a supernatural being created the universe, life, etc. Bobby Henderson opposed this plan, and protested by arguing that if intelligent design is taught at school, then unintelligent design should be taught as well. And that's how the religion was born.

Here are some terms from the religion:

Flying Spaghetti Monster - The God and creator of the universe. He looks like spaghetti and meatballs.
Pastafarian - A follower of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Pastafarianism - The religion of the Pastafarians.

One night, when the great Flying Spaghetti was drunk, He created the universe while he was drunk. This was a complete mistake on his part, and therefore the people on Earth are "unintelligent design". The Flying Spaghetti Monster is invisible and undetectable.

The first contact between man and Him is probably around the time of Captain Mosey. While Mosey was brooding because he could not get a pirate ship, the Flying Spaghetti Monster gives him some advice. These were the rules that the Pastafarians must abide by. There were originally 10, but Mosey in his clumsiness lost two. The commandments are known as the "I Really Wish you Didn'ts".

The Flying Spaghetti Monster also leaves things that suggest evolution so that he may test the Pastafarians' faith in Him. Wherever there are tests on evolution, He appears and messes with the data so it looks as if evolution occurred.

In the eyes of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, pirates are divine beings. They were spreaders of good will and gave candy to children until Christians in the Middle Ages lied and claimed that pirates were bad people. Global Warming is occurring due to the decline in pirates.

After a person dies, he is sent to either Heaven or Hell. In Heaven, there is a massive volcano that spews out beer. There is also a stripper factory. Hell is almost the same thing, but it contains stale beer and strippers with STDs.

As a last note, Pastafarianism is a parody religion. It mocks Christianity mainly. Also, many associate themselves with the religion as a joke. However, there are some real followers, such as this author.

by Anna Bryson

basically this is what happened. this great spaghetti monster came down and created earth, then he put a mountain on earth, then he put trees on mountain, finally he made midget. this is the story of the earth being created.

his people are pirates, they are the ones most touched by his noodly appendages. thus, it makes sense that to preach the word, you have to be in full pirate garb. global warming is because of the spaghetti monster's anger of the decreasing amount of pirates.

also, the earth is only a few thousand years old and the spaghetti monster planted fossils to make it look like it was older. the followers of the spaghetti monster have flimsy moral values, but perhaps the best part of this religion would be the heaven. there is a stripper factory and a volcanoe that spews endless amounts of beer out of it. there were to be more, but the spaghetti monster had such a wicked hang over from the first night that he reserved them for his heaven and there is only one. the believers are called pastafarians.

also, everyone knows it is total bull shit, even its followers. it is really a way for atheists to stick it to the stupid christians and i.d. plus, how much cooler can a god be than a flying spaghetti monster? the greatest part, possibly even better than the strippers and beer volcanoe (i know, unbelievable!) is watching christians get uber upset over the fact that people believe this. to learn more, buy the gospel of the flying spaghetti monster.

by Palli

This is my first article here so don't expect a masterpiece.

This brief article is about a very od religion, well they belive in a flying spaghetti monster weird huh?

Origin of the religion:
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a creature wich was made by a physics graduate Bobby Henderson. It all started when he was protesting a decition by the Kansas state board of education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to biological evolution. He started by puplishing this new believ on his website and requested that "Pastafarianism" should be tought in science classrooms.

Global Warming
Their theory is that a monster made of spaghetti and meatballs created the world, including mountains, trees and a midget.
Their heaven is filled with beer-volcanos and strip factiories( not bad eh .

They have the solution to global warming!
According to Pastafarianism global warming can be prevented.
The answer is simple, become a pirate aight. Well i'll make an example in the year 1820 their where aproximitly 35.000 pirates in the world and global average tempurature only 14C but in the year 2000 there where only about 17 pirates left but the average tempurature 16C.
Become a pirate, save the world.

The Gospel:
It was puplished in 2006 and all the income from the book is going to be used to build a pirateship to travel around the world and convert heathens to the Pastafarian religion.

Thats all for now dont hesitate while rating my article.