Who are Pastafarians?
These fine humans are the followers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), a deity that resembles a giant, delicious plate of spaghetti and meatballs, worshippers of noodles that believe a giant, invisible, and omnipotent spaghetti monster created the universe.
Pastafarians do not differ from other people either in the area where they live, nor in their language, nor in their way of life. We don’t live in our own cities, and we don’t use some strange language, except that we lead a peculiar life. We found this way of life through the ingenuity and efforts of curious people. We are not protected by human law like some others.
We believe that the FSM is just as valid a creation myth as any other and that it should be taught alongside other religious beliefs in schools.
So, what’s it like to be a Pastafarian?
Well, for starters, you get to enjoy all the benefits of being part of a community without any of the guilt or dogma that comes with organized religion. Pastafarians come from all walks of life and all parts of the world, united by their love of humor and their rejection of religious fundamentalism. We believe that science and reason are the best tools we have for understanding the world around us, and we use their platform to promote education and critical thinking.
How many Pastafarians there are?
It’s difficult to determine an exact number of declared Pastafarians, as the Church of the FSM doesn’t keep official membership records. However, it’s estimated that there are tens of thousands of followers around the world who identify as Pastafarians. And only his holiness FSM knows how many alien believers there are… The word says that all of them are Pastafarians.
The movement has some popularity and media attention over the years and has even been recognized as an official religion in some countries.
Which countries?
For example, in 2016, the Netherlands recognized the Church of the FSM as a religious organization and granted it tax-exempt status. In 2019, New Zealand also recognized the Church of the FSM as a legitimate religion, allowing Pastafarians to solemnize marriages. Pastafarians in the United States have been granted the right to wear colanders on their heads in driver’s licenses and ID photos as a form of religious expression. While the Church of the FSM is still not widely recognized as a legitimate religion, these examples demonstrate that it is gaining more recognition and acceptance in some parts of the world.
How a typical Pastafarian look like?
There is no “typical” appearance of a Pastafarian, as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster values diversity and acceptance. However, some of us choose to express our affiliation through certain symbols or clothing items.
One of the most recognizable symbols of the Church of the FSM is the Flying Spaghetti Monster itself, which is often depicted as a whimsical, noodly creature with eyes and meatball appendages. Some Pastafarians wear shirts or hats featuring this image as a way of expressing their affiliation with the church.
Another common item worn by some Pastafarians is a colander, which is a type of strainer used in cooking. Some followers of the Church of the FSM wear colanders on their heads as a form of religious expression, as it represents the “noodly appendages” of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Are there more women or men in Pastafarianism?
It’s difficult to determine the gender breakdown of Pastafarians, we keep no track of demographic information. However, the church’s values emphasize equality and inclusion, so there is likely a relatively even balance between men and women within the movement.
So, to make it easier this is an ID card of a typical Pastafarian:
Name: Never Mind
Sex: the more, the better
Wgt: all you can eat
Hair: noodlish yellow
DOB: newborn
Address: Beer Town, Plenty of Spaghetti