Religion dictionary
Flying Spaghetti Monster
or FSM [flahy-ing spuh-get-ee mon-ster]
What does Flying Spaghetti Monster mean?
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is the supreme being of a parody religion called the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Followers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster refer to themselves as Pastafarians and their beliefs are sometimes called Pastafarianism or FSMism.
Where does Flying Spaghetti Monster come from?
In 2005, Bobby Henderson, then an unemployed physics graduate, proposed in an open letter that the world was created by a deity made of pasta, the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The open letter was a response to the Kansas School Board’s decision that schools be allowed to teach Intelligent Design, the idea that the world was created by some intelligent higher power, in science classes. In Henderson’s open letter, he argued that that students should also be taught the “alternative theory” that the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the world.
Henderson posted the open letter to his personal website, which received over 14 million hits in the following weeks. Three members of the Kansas School Board wrote letters of thanks to Henderson, while one member wrote to rebuke him. Soon supporters started producing art depicting the Flying Spaghetti Monster and describing encounters with the being.
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In 2007, the American Academy of Religion hosted a panel on the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Among the serious questions addressed by the panel was “Is an anti-religion like Flying Spaghetti Monsterism actually a religion?”
Courts around the world have attempted to tackle this question as well. In New Zealand, Pastafarians are now allowed to officiate marriages. A Texas Pastafarian was given permission to wear a pasta strainer on his head as “religious headgear” in his driver’s license photo, but a New Jersey man was denied the same request.
'In the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster we have religious headware as well but we’ve had to fight for the right to wear it .
‘Pastafarian' Woman Allowed To Wear Spaghetti Strainer In Driver's License Photo https://t.co/NAEF39bYIv
— Barmy Lord Brockman. (@paulbvirgo) August 8, 2018
Examples of Flying Spaghetti Monster
Who uses Flying Spaghetti Monster?
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is most frequently referenced by atheists and other critics of organized religion, usually in an attempt to dismiss certain religious beliefs as absurd. The noted atheist writer Richard Dawkins even referenced the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a debate.
Yeah the Atheism hashtag gets intense doesn't it? I only occasionally chime in on those threads. Usually a waste of time but can help sharpen the wit sometimes.
Just remember, the flying spaghetti monster loves you.
May the sauce be with you, R'amen. pic.twitter.com/vYeUnGdRIY— Judy C. (@girlgeek4life) May 25, 2018
In a more light-hearted vein, non-believers may, tongue-in-cheek, call on the Flying Spaghetti Monster in lieu of a traditional higher power.
May, He bless us on this holy, of holy days. #Friday
Praise be His noodly goodness. 🙏#FlyingSpaghettiMonster 🍝#Pastafarian pic.twitter.com/K6LnpyrRVO— Hip Kat 🐱 (@The_Hip_Kat) November 9, 2018
Intelligent Design advocates naturally reject Henderson’s criticism. One pastor referred to the parody offered by the Flying Spaghetti Monster as a “cheap shot.”
THE FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER IS A TOOL OF SATAN!!!
— LINDA (@LUVTHATSAVIOR) November 12, 2018
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Flying Spaghetti Monster like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Flying Spaghetti Monster that will help our users expand their word mastery.