Flying Spaghetti Monster Number Of Followers
Have you ever heard of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM)? If not, you’re in for a treat. The FSM is a deity of sorts, created in 2005 by Bobby Henderson, a physics graduate who was protesting the teaching of intelligent design in schools.
The FSM is depicted as a giant, flying spaghetti monster with meatball eyes and noodle appendages. Its followers, known as Pastafarians, believe in the FSM as a satirical take on religion and a way to promote the separation of church and state.
The Rise of the Pastafarians
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, also known as Pastafarianism, has gained a following in recent years. The religion, which started as a joke, has become a way for people to express their dissatisfaction with organized religion and advocate for secularism.
According to a survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute in 2019, 3% of Americans identify as Pastafarian or believe in the FSM. While this may not seem like a significant number, it represents over 9 million people in the United States alone.
The Spread of Pastafarianism
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has spread beyond the United States and has gained a following in other countries as well. In 2016, the New Zealand government officially recognized Pastafarianism as a religion, allowing its followers to legally perform marriage ceremonies.
Pastafarianism has also made its way into pop culture, with references to the FSM appearing in television shows like South Park and The Big Bang Theory.
The Future of the FSM
While the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster may have started as a joke, it has grown into a movement that advocates for religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Its followers, the Pastafarians, continue to spread the word of the FSM through social media and other platforms.
Only time will tell how many more followers the FSM will gain in the future, but one thing is certain: the Flying Spaghetti Monster has become a symbol of secularism and a way for people to express their beliefs in a unique and humorous way.