Or something. Anyone remember the Pastafarians, who got their start ridiculing ID and then went on to try to become a religion? Well, that’s as near as we can make out. In truth, we never really figured them out.
But apparently, they are still around, not least in Alaska:
[Homer, Alaska] A Pastafarian high priest just opened an Alaska city council meeting in prayer. Wearing a colander on his head, the pasta priest offered the opening prayer on behalf of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to a municipal meeting in Alaska, the latest blessing from a nontraditional church since a court ruling opened up the religious practice to those who desire to profane and blaspheme religion.
News Division, “Man Who Worships Pasta Provides City Invocation in Alaska” at Pulpit & Pen
In fairness, they do have a theology and (in Russia) have even been persecuted for it. It just doesn’t make any sense. But maybe in these times, that’s less of an issue than it used to be:
Anyway, they are working hard at gaining recognition:
Some time next year, the European court of human rights will decide on the case of a Dutch woman who feels unfairly treated because her country’s highest court has told her she cannot wear a plastic colander on her head for her ID photo.
It may combine Mienke de Wilde’s plea with that of an Austrian former MP, Niko Alm, who proudly wears the offending kitchen utensil on his official documents but now insists his country recognise Pastafarianism – the faith both follow – as a religion.
Watching the pair closely is Mike Arthur, an independent American film-maker whose smart, funny but above all thought-provoking documentary, I, Pastafari, about the world’s fastest-growing faith premieres in the US in October.
Jon Henley, “Documentary follows Pastafarians as they strain for recognition” at The Guardian
Here’s the trailer:
See also: Pastafarian Lodges Complaint With ACLU Legal workplace accommodation of pastafarianism as a religion
and
Wow: Court rules for common sense… updated No, not a religion; an overelaborate prank.
Pastafarians not giving up their claim to be a religion
Pastafarians admit to being a religion
Pastafarians Can Now Claim Religious Persecution
Flying Spaghetti Monster Chronicles: Pastafarianism, Born To Ridicule ID, Now Taken Seriously As Religion In Europe?
and
Flying spaghetti monster vs. ID
Follow UD News at Twitter!