The Flying Spaghetti Monster (also known as the Spaghedeity) is the deity of a parody religion[1] called The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and its system of beliefs, "Pastafarianism".[2]
The religion was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson to protest the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to biological evolution.
Because intelligent design implies the existence of an intelligent, but not necessarily omnipotent or omniscient designer, some, like Henderson, argued that this designer could, in fact, be anything imaginable.

In an open letter sent to the education board, Henderson parodies the concept of an intelligent designer by professing belief in a supernatural creator called the Flying Spaghetti Monster which resembles spaghetti and meatballs.[3]
He furthermore calls for the "Pastafarian" theory of Creation to be taught in science classrooms.[4]

Due to its recent popularity and media exposure, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is often used by atheists, agnostics (known by Pastafarians as "spagnostics"), and others as a modern version of Russell's teapot[5] and the Invisible Pink Unicorn.

History and developments

The first public exposure of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CoFSM) can be dated to January 2005, when Bobby Henderson, describing himself as a concerned citizen, sent an open letter regarding the FSM to the Kansas State Board of Education. The letter was sent prior to the Kansas evolution hearings as an argument against the teaching of intelligent design in biology classes. Intelligent design was thought of as a way to teach creationism in the public school system without mentioning the name "God". Henderson stated that both his theory and intelligent design had equal validity; saying

"I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence."[3]

Henderson explained, "I don't have a problem with religion. What I have a problem with is religion Posing as science. If there is a god and he's intelligent, then I would guess he has a sense of humor."[6]
The Board only responded after Henderson posted the letter on his website, gaining significant public interest.[7] Henderson subsequently published the responses[8] he received from Board members...
[.....]

In August 2005, in response to a challenge from a reader, BoingBoing.net announced a $250,000 challenge, later raised to $1,000,000, for "Intelligently Designed currency" by other bloggers, payable to any individual who could produce empirical evidence Proving that Jesus is Not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.[14]
The challenge is modeled after a similar challenge issued by young-Earth creationist Kent Hovind (an award of $250,000 to anyone who can prove evolution "is the only possible way" that the Universe and life arose).
[.....]
Beliefs

Henderson proposed many of the beliefs in reaction to common arguments by proponents of intelligent design.[23]

The canonical beliefs of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism are set forth by Henderson in the Open Letter,[3] the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and on Henderson's web site,[24] where he is described as a prophet.

The central belief is that there is an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster, who created the entire universe "after drinking heavily."[13] The Monster's intoxication was supposedly the cause for a flawed earth. All evidence for evolution was planted by the Flying Spaghetti Monster, in an effort to test Pastafarians' faith — a form of the Omphalos hypothesis. When scientific measurements, such as radiocarbon dating, are made, the Flying Spaghetti Monster "is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage."[3]

The Pastafarian belief of heaven stresses that it contains beer volcanoes and a stripper factory.[25] Hell is similar, except that the beer is stale, and the strippers have VD.[26]
[.....]
Polk County, Florida

In December 2007, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was credited with being at the forefront of successful efforts in Polk County, Florida to persuade Polk County School Board to withdraw from a potential challenge to new science standards mentioning evolution. The issue was raised after five of the seven board members declared a personal belief in the concept of intelligent design. Opponents describing themselves as Pastafarians sent e-mails to Polk school board members, demanding equal time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism.
[............]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

__________________

The Flying Spaghetti Monster MUST be real. If he isn't then how do you explain all the order around you? How would explain morality?

__________________
"The greatest epochs of our life come when we gain the courage to rechristen our evils as what is best in us." -Nietzsche

I actually didn't know the whole story. Thanks for that! And to think this all happened right next door to me in Polk - the land of maleducation, meth, and missing teeth.

__________________
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.
-Dr. Carl Sagan

I love it. How can one NOT worship the god who invented pasta? YUM.

__________________
I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

I think our new poster TheFreeman needs some Spaghetti sauce to put on HIS God... who is no better than this one.

__________________

The Flying Spaghetti Monster has saved me. He is the one true God.

__________________
America's Enemies Are Not Mine

All wars represent a failure of diplomacy

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” - Stephen Roberts.

Of course. And all of the trouble in the world is caused by spagnostics.

and those evil, amoral apastics. Those apastics have done more harm in the span of the world's existence than any other group.

__________________
I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

Presluc "Has NO PROOF" that there is no Flying Spaghetti Monster and that he is in Charge of the Universe.
ergo, using his 'logic', he/we must believe in this being.

__________________

__________________
"I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." -- Stephen F. Roberts

"I once prayed to God for a bike, but quickly found out He didn't work that way. So I stole a bike and prayed for His forgiveness." -- Unknown