Have you ever heard of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster? The organization was formed on a lark and is also known as Pastafarianism. It’s a social movement that attempts to promote a more light-hearted view of religion than most religions. Moreover, the “church” opposes the teaching of creationism or intelligent design in schools funded by the government. According to people who practice this religion, it is as real and legitimate as any other religion. Hey, everyone in most countries has a right to worship how they want, right? Yes, but getting legal status is a different matter altogether.
The deity, the Flying Spaghetti Monster,” was described first by Bobby Henderson in 2005. Henderson wrote a satirical open letter to protest the teaching of intelligent design by the Kansas State Board of Education. In the letter, Henderson actually demanded that the “Flying Spaghetti Monster” be given equal time for study by students. Before long, the Flying Spaghetti Monster had become an internet sensation and a symbol of opposition to the teaching of religion in schools. Although some folks have had a lot of fun with this, it has also fueled a movement for people who demand freedom of religion.
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster denied legal recognition in Australia https://t.co/UEUHfiw4bM
— Boing Boing (@BoingBoing) June 21, 2021
Unfortunately, an Australian authority has denied the church’s bid to be established with legal recognition. The South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) denied the church’s legal status because the church allegedly presents a hoax religion. This comes on the heels of the Corporate Affairs Commission came to the same conclusion. SACAT member Kathleen McEvoy explained that the use of some of the terms used are for humor and often come across as racist or sexist. She says that the religion can only be viewed as satire or parody.
Nature is healing ….
https://t.co/1IWpNbNrvY— Paul McLean (@BCEmploymentLaw) June 20, 2021
In the U.S., the church has had more success. Several people have sued and been allowed to wear a pasta strainer on their heads for taking their driver’s license photos, citing that it was approved religious headwear.
