1. Pastafarians The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster By Chris Cluff – COR230-07 – Spring 2009

2. The Flying Spaghetti Monster He is the creator of the universe

3. The Run Down Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) created the whole universe in one day as a mountain, trees, and a midgit (their official spelling). Man is not meant to look like the FSM. He is perfect, and if every human were perfect, “it just wouldn’t be right.” Prophet Bobby Henderson – introduced the world to FSM in a letter to the Kansas School Board in 2005 Pirates are divine beings It is disrespectful to teach the ways of FSM without dressing in full pirate garb. Heaven: Paradise, Utopia, Bliss, and a Dreamland. Two important points; 1) it has beer volcanoes as far as the eye can see; 2) it has a stripper factory.

4. The Run Down (continued) Pastafarians (those who believe in FSM) believe that He has been punishing the world with hurricanes, earthquakes, and even global warming since the decrease of pirate activity on earth in the 1800s.

5. Origins The Prophet, Bobby Henderson, revealed the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to the world in January 2005 in an open letter to the Kansas School Board. In the letter, he urged that if the school board was going to teach evolution and intelligent design that they must also teach his beliefs in regards to intelligent design, the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Reportedly believed for hundreds of years in secrecy. Official Scripture: The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster – written by Bobby Henderson

6. Controversies Some believe the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is a parody of religion. In 2007, a student in North Carolina was suspended for coming to class dressed as a pirate, citing his religious beliefs. One author, Richard Dawkins, discredits non-believers – tells them to at least read the Gospel before criticizing. Dawkins supports equal use of Intelligent Design. Henderson’s letter to the Kansas School Board is a great example of the crisis and great separation Mark Lilla references in The Stilborn God.

7. Followers Call themselves Pastafarians Unknown exactly how many, but venganza.org sees 2 million visitors daily. Facebook Group has 65,600+ members. “By the mid-1980’s…another Gallup Poll revealed that one in three Americans had switched from the faith of their upbringing.” (Wolfe 41)

8. For more information Visit the official website of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster http://www.venganza.org/

9. Bibliography Dawkins, Richard. "The God Delusion: Introducing the Paperback." Free Inquiry 27.5 (Aug. 2007): 12-14. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Miller Information Commons, Champlain College, Burlington, VT.15 Mar. 2009. DuBay, Tim. "Guide to Pastafarianism." Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. 15 Mar. 2009. Henderson, Bobby. "Open Letter To Kansas School Board." Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. 15 Mar. 2009. Lilla, Mark. The Stillborn God - Religion, Politics, and the Modern West. New York: Vintage Books, 2008. Paulson, Matthew. "Pastafarianism: A 21st Century Religion - Associated Content." Associated Content - associatedcontent.com. 11 Dec. 2006. 15 Mar. 2009. "Student punished for spaghetti beliefs" Metro.co.uk. 29 Mar. 2007. 15 Mar. 2009. Wolfe, Alan. The Transformation Of American Religion. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 2003.