Please sign this petition to protect Pastafarian rights.

The difference between Pastafarianism and ‘Mainstream’ religions is that not even Pastafarians themselves take their own religion or its values seriously. There will never be a Pastafarian martyr because its a big joke not worth taking that seriously. Mainstream religions on the other hand have adherents who strongly believe in their dogma. Its a huge difference in mindset and attitude.

Poking fun at the absurdity of religion, is not religion, no matter how well intended or amusing.

And then when you’re really ready you can ask: does Catholicism really deserve any more respect than Scientology?

Do you think David Miscavige sincerely believes in Xenu?

I’m an atheist, but it seems like pastafarians are just taking the piss and ridiculing religion,

Agree.

which is really not helpful.

Disagree.

Religions and religious leaders are able to accumulate worldly power and wealth by trading on unearned reputation.  Trading on unearned reputation is often called “fraud”.  It’s what confidence men do.

The social solutions to unearned reputation since time immemorial is taking the piss and ridicule.  In this respect, Pastafarianism is helpful.

It’s also interesting to see theists get pissed off about people talking reverently about flying spaghetti monsters.  Every time I see this happen I think to myself “Gee, because being reverent about shitty wine and a little piece of cardboard makes so much more sense.  I think Pastafarianism is a good way to let theists know how silly they seem to us.

But it doesn’t have to be a negative thing, either.  Anyone who chooses can look as Pastafarianism as a religion of tolerance — yes, you think I’m silly and I think you’re silly but what’s the harm in agreeing that each of us is right so that we can all be silly together?

People “make the relevant distinction” on the basis of logical fallacies and wishful thinking.  Some of us don’t think logical fallacies and wishful thinking are a good basis for deciding what beliefs are respectable and which aren’t.

Current practice is that anything which actively impairs the utility of an ID photo is excluded from the ID photo unless there is a remarkably good reason to rule otherwise.

If he can wear the strainer in such a way that it doesn’t interfere, fine. But I suspect that won’t meet _his_ goals.

(Question: How, if at all, do we currently handle the situation where someone’s religion forbids taking the photo at all? I strongly suspect that the answer is “not very well, because the photo serves a specific purpose.” .. but if there is such a provision, I would recommend that our Pastafarian explore that path. Assuming that he wants to find a solution rather than simply make trouble.

Since there is at least one Pastafarian in Indonesia, Obama must be a Pastafarian, by definition.

Even though I disbelieve in all Pastafarian laws, and would be willing to pass a constitutional amendment banning judges from using Pastafarian laws, I see no reason why my statement of this fact should be in any way illogical.

After all, as my father taught me: “Everybody has ideas. But that does not mean every idea is a GOOD idea.”