Flying Spaghetti Monsterism |
Flying Spaghetti Monsterism (FSM) is a satirical parody religion created to protest the decision by the Creation and evolution in public education#Recent developments in state education programs to allow intelligent design to be taught in science classes alongside evolution.
The religion has become an Internet phenomenon that has garnered many followers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (sometimes referring to themselves as Pastafarians, a pun on Rastafari movement) who claim to have been touched by His Noodly Appendage and preach the word of their noodly master as the one true religion. Flying Spaghetti Monsterism is primarily the invention of Bobby Henderson, a graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in Physics.
==Developments== , he formally requested that Flying Spaghetti Monsterism be given time in classrooms equal to that given to intelligent design and to logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence (evolution). He warned that if this was not done, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. Shortly afterwards, he received sympathetic [http://www.venganza.org/response.htm responses] from three members of the board.
The site received worldwide attention when .
The Latest News section of Henderson s site notes that U.S. President George W. Bush and U.S. Senator Bill Frist have publicly supported the teaching of different ideas (Bush) and a broad range of fact, of science, including faith (Frist) on the origin of life, alongside evolutionary theory. Henderson infers that they support the teaching of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism — though neither has publicly stated a position specifically on FSM.
In August 2005, in response to a challenge from a reader, Boing Boing announced a $250,000 USD challenge, payable to any individual who can produce empiricism evidence proving that Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.[http://www.boingboing.net/2005/08/19/boing_boings_250000_.html] The challenge is modelled after a similar challenge issued by intelligence design proponent Kent Hovind, which has been criticized by scientists as being logically flawed in design.[http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CA/CA341.html] The FSM prize was soon raised by matching reward funds to $1 million USD.
=Beliefs=
Many of the beliefs proposed by Henderson were intentionally chosen to parody arguments commonly set forth by proponents of Intelligent Design: *An invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe, starting with a mountain, trees and a midget (sic_(Latin)). All evidence pointing towards evolution was intentionally planted by this being.
=See also=
*Creation and evolution in public education *Creation-evolution controversy *Intelligent Design *Invisible Pink Unicorn *Intelligent Falling *Last Thursdayism *Open source religion *Parody religion *Spaghetti *Meatball
=References=
# [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgifile=/n/a/2005/08/01/national/w200833D87.DTL&type=printable Bush: Intelligent design should be taught] # [http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/12426816.htm Frist Backs Intelligent Design Teaching] #[http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/12467886.htm McCain Backs Intelligent Design , 5th down] #[http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/919965448 Teach Science, Not Intelligent Design ]
=Media coverage=
*New Scientist, [http://www.newscientist.com/backpage.nsid=mg18725112.800 The Flying Spaghetti Monster, ] 6 August 2005
=External links=
*[http://www.venganza.org/index.htm Originating Website] *[http://www.yoism.org/q=node/3 SPAM, an FSM-inspired schism site] *[http://www.fred.net/tds/noodles/noodle.html Argument for Intelligent Design in support of FSM] *[http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster An alternative (humorous) point of view]|
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