Church Of The Flying Spaghetti Monster Colander
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is a parody religion that advocates the teaching of intelligent design and creationism in public schools. The FSM was created in 2005 by Bobby Henderson, a physics graduate from Oregon State University, in response to the Kansas State Board of Education's decision to allow the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. The FSM is a satirical religion that mocks the concept of intelligent design by claiming that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe.
One of the most iconic symbols of the FSM is the colander, which is worn as a religious head covering by followers of the religion, known as Pastafarians. The colander is a kitchen utensil that resembles a sieve and is traditionally used for straining pasta.
The History of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson, who wrote an open letter to the Kansas State Board of Education protesting its decision to teach intelligent design in public schools. In the letter, Henderson claimed that if intelligent design was going to be taught in schools, then the theory of the Flying Spaghetti Monster should also be taught as an alternative theory.
The letter quickly went viral, and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster became an internet sensation. The religion has since grown in popularity, with followers all over the world. In 2011, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was officially recognized as a religion in Poland, and in 2019, it was recognized as a religion in the Netherlands.
The Colander as a Religious Symbol
The colander is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It is worn as a religious head covering by Pastafarians, who believe that it is a sacred symbol of their religion. The colander is often used in religious ceremonies and is considered to be a sign of devotion to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
The colander has become so closely associated with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster that it is now commonly referred to as the "Pastafarian colander." The colander is often worn in public by Pastafarians as a way of expressing their religious beliefs and asserting their right to freedom of religion.
The Legal Status of the Colander as a Religious Symbol
The colander has been the subject of legal disputes in some countries, with some government agencies refusing to allow Pastafarians to wear colanders in their official identification photos. In the United States, however, the colander is generally recognized as a legitimate religious symbol, and Pastafarians are allowed to wear colanders in their official identification photos.
In 2013, the American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Pastafarian who was denied the right to wear a colander in his driver's license photo by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The lawsuit argued that the commission's refusal violated the Pastafarian's right to freedom of religion. The lawsuit was eventually settled, with the commission agreeing to allow Pastafarians to wear colanders in their driver's license photos.
The Significance of the Colander to Pastafarians
The colander is a symbol of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster's belief in the power of satire and humor to challenge the authority of established religions. The colander is a lighthearted and irreverent symbol that represents the Pastafarian's rejection of dogmatism and their commitment to free thinking and skepticism.
For many Pastafarians, the colander is also a symbol of their commitment to social justice and equality. The colander is often used to draw attention to issues such as religious discrimination and the separation of church and state. By wearing a colander in public, Pastafarians are able to challenge the status quo and assert their right to freedom of religion.
In Conclusion
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is a satirical religion that uses humor and satire to challenge the authority of established religions. The colander is one of the most recognizable symbols of the church, and is worn as a religious head covering by followers of the religion, known as Pastafarians. The colander is a symbol of the Pastafarian's rejection of dogmatism and their commitment to free thinking and skepticism. It is also a symbol of their commitment to social justice and equality.
