The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, after having existed in secrecy for hundreds of years, came into the mainstream just a few years ago*. 
 
 With millions, if not thousands, of devout worshipers, the Church of the FSM is widely considered a legitimate religion, even by its opponents – mostly fundamentalist Christians, who have accepted that our God has larger balls than theirs. 
 
 Some claim that the church is purely a thought experiment or satire, illustrating that Intelligent Design is not science, just a pseudoscience manufactured by Christians to push Creationism into public schools. These people are mistaken — The Church of FSM is legit, and backed by hard science. Anything that comes across as humor or satire is purely coincidental. 
 
 
 
 Sounds great but where do I start? 
 
 For a taste of what we’re about, watch this video made by our friend Matt Tillman, an Introduction to Pastafarianism: Spaghetti, Wenches & Metaphysics. 
 
 More, please 
 
 We believe religion – say Christianity, Islam, Pastafarianiasm – does not require literal belief in order to provide spiritual enlightenment. Much of the transcendent experience of religion can be attributed to the community. And while some members of religion are indoctrinated True Believers, many are not. There are many levels of Belief and each is no more or less legitimate than the other. 
 
 That is to say, you do not have to Believe to be part of our Church, but we hope in time you will see the Truth. But skeptics, as well as members of other religions, are always welcome. 
 
 What is this business about pirates, and the Beer Volcano, and Stripper Factory? 
 
 Religious texts tell us that humans evolved from Pirates. Consider that so-called “science experts” would have us believe humans evolved from primates, pointing towards the shared 99% shared DNA between humans and primates. But humans and Pirates share upwards of 99.9% of DNA. 
 
 We believe that Pirates were the original Pastafarians and that they were peaceful explorers. It was only due to Christian misinformation that they have an image of outcast criminals today. 
 
 No one knows what the afterlife really holds, but we are told FSM Heaven has a Beer Volcano and Stripper Factory. 
 
 How Do I Join? 
 
 There is no formal membership process and we do not collect money from our members. The site is supported purely by our Certificates of Ordination. 
 
 If you’re interested in what we’re about, please feel free to consider yourself a member. 
 
 How Can I Help? 
 
 Evangelism is a time-honored tradition of religion, and it’s no different with Pastafarianism. Nothing helps the Cause more than Spreading the Word. 
 
 Here are a few of my favorite acts of evangelism over the years. Please let these inspire you. 
 
 The FSM looks great in parades 
 
 How about a Float in honor of the FSM, complete with a crew of Pirates? This is a yearly occurrence at the Fremont Solstice Parade. Check it out here. 
 
 You can decorate your Holiday tree with a tree-topper 
 
 Every year, Pastafarians from around the world make their Holiday just a little more festive. Tree-toppers have become a tradition. Here are some of my favorites. (Sadly I do not know who is the cute girl in the photo.) 
 
 You could ride around in style 
 
 Look at all these people enchanted by this display of evangelism. How many joined the Church because of this? What a great display. You can see some more photos Here. 
 
 Or how about joining in with some on-campus ministers? 
 
 It’s a common sight at colleges across the world: Christian evangelists telling us why we’re going to their Hell for drinking and having sex. So why not join in the evangelizing? Give the students a choice: the Christian threat of eternal damnation and hellfire, or the chance of FSM afterlife complete with a Beer Volcano and Stripper Factory. You can read more about these Pastafarian gentleman’s fine ministry work Here. 
 
 Show your faith at the workplace 
 
 We’re living in enlightened times — feel free to wear your religious headwear (yes, it’s a colander) at the workplace. In the photo, Mr. Schaeffer is getting sworn in at his new position as council member. You can read more about it Here. 
 
 Or on your license photos 
 
 Why not wear a colander in your ID photos? Most places are cool with it, and those who are not can surely be poked by the ACLU. In the photo here, Mr. Alm has won the right to wear his Colander in his Austrian ID photo. You can read more about it Here. 
 
 Pumpkin evangelism is festive 
 
 Why not show your faith next time you carve a pumpkin? 
 
 Questions and Answers 
 
 Q: Is this a joke? 
 
 A: It’s not a joke. Elements of our religion are sometimes described as satire and there are many members who do not literally believe our scripture, but this isn’t unusual in religion. A lot of Christians don’t believe the Bible is literally true – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t True Christians. 
 
 If you say Pastafarians must believe in a literal Flying Spaghetti Monster to be True Believers, then you can make a similar argument for Christians. There is a lot of outlandish stuff in the Bible that rational Christians choose to ignore. 
 
 Q: A lot of Pastafarians seem to be anti-religion and/or atheists (why is this?) 
 
 A: We’re not anti-religion. This is NOT an atheists club. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join our church including current members of other religions. In addition to the Atheists, Agnostics, and Freethinkers who have joined us, we have a number of Christian (and Muslim, and Hindu and Buddhist …) members and I would love to have more. Note to the religious: You are welcome here. 
 
 Let me make this clear: we are not anti-religion, we are anti- crazy nonsense done in the name of religion. There is a difference. 
 
 Q: I don’t believe you or any of your so-called followers actually believe any of this. 
 
 A: Some Pastafarians honestly believe in the FSM, and some see it as satire. I would just make the point that satire is an honest, legitimate basis for religion. Satire relies on truth to be effective. If it’s a joke, it’s a joke where to understand the punchline you must be conscious of underlying truth. 
 
 Compare our religion to those that are built on lies. I am not talking necessarily about mainstream religions (which themselves are often full of mysticism and ad-hoc reasoning), but think of cults, or churches where the leaders are scamming their followers out of money. These are groups where the followers fully believe. Are these churches legitimate since they have many True Believers? 
 
 Or can we agree that religion is as much about community as any shared faith. By any rational metric, Pastafarians are as legitimate a religious group as any. Arguably more so, since we’re honest and rational. 
 
 Q: What is the Church of FSM’s view on abortion and right to life issues? 
 
 A: The Church of FSM’s position is that life starts before conception (somewhere around the point of seeing the boobs), and that sperms – as potential humans if allowed to develop – deserve the same protections as fetuses and fully grown people. Anyone who harms sperms is guilty of murder, including pushers of hot water Jacuzzi’s and tight-fitting underwears. We are all equal in the eyes of the LORD our Almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster. 
 
 Q: We want to use FSM designs for t-shirt, jerseys, posters… 
 
 A: It’s ok to use FSM materials for your own use and to spread the word – I’m happy to see it. There have been a number of sports team and club shirts — I can provide high quality images/vector designs for screen printing, just let me know. 
 
 That said, please do not *SELL* FSM products. 
 
 Q: What Does the Flying Spaghetti Monster think of Same Sex Marriage? 
 
 A: The CotFSM has no judgement on same sex marriage, for/against; that is to say, all are welcome into the loving embrace of His Noodly Appendage. (And there are many gay/bi members). 
 
 Q: In 1000 years will FSM be a mainstream religion? 
 
 A: This is something I think about a lot. I sometimes wonder what the Church of Scientology — or lets say the Mormon Church looked like 5 years after Joseph Smith transcribed the scriptures out of the hat with the seer stones. What worries me is that right now I can be pretty sure there aren’t a lot of dogmatic nutty FSM people around, but what about in 20 years? What about in 50 years? What about when someone figures out a way to make money out of this and turns it into some new age spiritual enlightenment thing. There are billions of Christians who are crazy serious about their religion who don’t necessarily believe the things in the Bible actually happened. So .. yes, I do worry where FSM will go. I think the best we can do is work to instill in the Church positive values that will keep us on a straight path. 
 
 Q: How do Pastafarians believe our world was created? 
 
 A: We believe the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the world much as it exists today, but for reasons unknown made it appear that the universe is billions of years old (instead of thousands) and that life evolved into its current state (rather than created in its current form). Every time a researcher carries out an experiment that appears to confirm one of these “scientific theories” supporting an old earth and evolution we can be sure that the FSM is there, modifying the data with his Noodly Appendage. We don’t know why He does this but we believe He does, that is our Faith. 
 
 Q: To what extent do Pastafarians need evidence to support their beliefs? What is considered valid evidence, and why are some religious ideas lacking evidence believed more widely than others? Why is Christianity more widely accepted than Pastafarianism? 
 
 A: For many religions, acceptance is due to the time it has been around and due to the number of people who already follow it. For potential followers it’s often less a consideration of evidence, and more a judgment that the collective group of followers is better informed. That millions or billions of people already follow this religion is strong social proof that there is something to it. The larger the group and the longer it has been around, the more pronounced the effect. 
 
 But nonbelievers are overreaching when they dismiss the phenomenon of religion as wrong and useless because it so often lacks a basis in evidence. The fact that millions of people get something positive out of a religion – even if it is based in superstition – *does* mean something. But that’s not to say it’s True, only that it has Value. For many people, religion is about being part of a community and being part of something bigger and more important than themselves. These transcendent experiences are something we want to emulate. 
 
 Nonbelievers would be better off criticizing only on the negative, damaging parts of religion, and being less judgmental about the idea of religion in general. Nonbelievers get hung up asking for evidence when really we should be looking at why does religion thrive despite evidence? We should be pushing the idea that faith is not equivalent to evidence-based-reasoning without insisting that it’s inferior, only that they are different ways of seeing the world. And that the problems happen when these world views clash. 
 
 Pastafarianism is different than most religions in that we explicitly make the point that our scripture need not be believed literally. In other religions this is known but not often said out loud (many Christians don’t take the Bible literally but won’t volunteer this). Pastafarian scripture has some outlandish and sometimes contradictory components – and unlike the scripture of mainstream religion, these pieces were intentional and obvious, and our congregation is aware of this. 
 
 About Bobby, a mini-bio. 
 
 Age: [current year minus 1980] 
 
 Education: Negligible (B.S. Physics) 
 
 Location: I grew up in Oregon, USA. College: Oregon, New Zealand. After college I lived in Nevada and then Arizona, and then Oregon again, and then wandering around. I lived on an island in the Philippines for 3 years. Now I’m back in the US. 
 
 Occupation aside from prophet of FSM: Hobo, hammock enthusiast. Also various nerdwork around computers. 
 
 You are welcome to Contact Me 
 
 
 
 *1: The Church of the FSM came into the mainstream in 2005 after this open letter was published. ||||| Story highlights The state attorney general has filed an appeal 
 
 The legislature is considering amendments to the state Constitution 
 
 (CNN) A 6-foot tall granite monument of the Ten Commandments will remain on statehouse grounds while Oklahoma appeals a state Supreme Court decision ordering it taken down. 
 
 "Oklahoma is a state where we respect the rule of law, and we will not ignore the state courts or their decisions. However, we are also a state with three co-equal branches of government," Gov. Marry Fallin said in a statement Tuesday. 
 
 Fallin said the state attorney general has filed an appeal, while the legislature pursues changes to the state Constitution that makes the monument legally permissible. 
 
 "During this process, which will involve both legal appeals and potential legislative and constitutional changes, the Ten Commandments monument will remain on the Capitol grounds," she added. 
 
 Last week, the state Supreme Court ordered the monument removed because it violates the state's constitutional ban against the use of public funds or property to benefit a religion. 
 
 Read More ||||| OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said on Tuesday she will keep a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds to allow lawmakers time to find ways to block a state Supreme Court decision ordering its removal. 
 
 "During this process, which will involve both legal appeals and potential legislative and constitutional changes, the Ten Commandments monument will remain on the Capitol grounds," Fallin, a Republican, wrote in a statement. 
 
 The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled last week the monument violates a state constitutional section that bans the use of state property for the benefit of a religion. 
 
 Lawmakers in the socially conservative state responded with threats to seek the impeachment of the justices and calls for legislation to alter the constitution to allow for its display. 
 
 The 6-foot-tall (1.8-meter) stone monument, paid for with private money and supported by lawmakers, was installed in 2012, prompting complaints that it violated the U.S. Constitution's provisions against government establishment of religion, as well as local laws. 
 
 "It is a privately funded tribute to historical events, not a taxpayer funded endorsement of any religion, as some have alleged," Fallin said. 
 
 After the Ten Commandments monument went up, other groups including Satanists and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, applied to erect their own monuments on Capitol grounds to mark what they say are historical events. 
 
 The Satanic Temple criticized Fallin for ignoring the state's top court. 
 
 "Governor Falling's statement is an open, flagrant expression of her intent to bypass and re-write state law at her convenience for the benefit of one ill-contrived petty act," said Douglas Mesner, a top group official. ||||| 
 
 The Ten Commandments monument is pictured at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) 
 
 Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said that the state’s controversial Ten Commandments statue is staying put despite a state Supreme Court ruling ordering it to be taken off the statehouse grounds. 
 
 The state’s highest court handed down a broad 7-2 decision last week, which found that the monument violated the state’s constitution. 
 
 In statements issued Tuesday, Fallin defended the statue and said that “the court got it wrong.” She added that the statue will remain in place while the state appeals the court’s decision and the legislature considers changes to the constitution. 
 
 “Oklahoma is a state where we respect the rule of law, and we will not ignore the state courts or their decisions,” Fallin said. “However, we are also a state with three co-equal branches of government.” 
 
 “At this time, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, with my support, has filed a petition requesting a rehearing of the Ten Commandments case. Additionally, our Legislature has signaled its support for pursuing changes to our state Constitution that will make it clear the Ten Commandments monument is legally permissible,” she added. “If legislative efforts are successful, the people of Oklahoma will get to vote on the issue.” 
 
 [Oklahoma’s Ten Commandments statue must be removed, state Supreme Court says] 
 
 In the ruling, the court noted that the statue, a six-foot-high stone replica of two tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments, is “obviously” religious in nature. The state constitution specifically prohibits state funds or property from being directed “for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such.” 
 
 Fallin and proponents of the statue note that it was paid for with private donations and say it is no different from a Christmas tree lighting held at the capitol every year or Native American works of art that include symbols of religion, tribal culture and history that are permitted to be displayed on government property. 
 
 [The Satanic Temple’s giant statue of a goat-headed god is looking for a home] 
 
 “Legislators and supporters of the monument intended it as a tribute to the importance of the Ten Commandments in our history and our system of laws,” Fallin noted in a statement. “Celebrating the historical importance of religions and religious values is not a new idea. Our nation is steeped in references to God and the rights He bestows on all men and women. 
 
 “None of these represent state endorsement of or support for any religion. They are celebrations or visual representations of our culture and events of historical importance,” she added. 
 
 The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, which handled the legal proceedings in the case, called Fallin’s decision “political grandstanding.” 
 
 “We along with no doubt a large number of Oklahomans were astonished at the governor’s reaction and the statement today pretending that she has the authority to enforce the laws of some hypothetical future instead of enforcing the laws as they are today,” Ryan Kiesel, the group’s executive director, told the Washington Post. “Governors do not get a blank check to make up the laws as they see fit.” 
 
 “That’s not the way that our democracy works and the governor’s statement is unprecedented.” 
 
 Kiesel said he believes it is highly unlikely that the state Supreme Court will agree to rehear the case, which has already spanned more than 2-years of litigation. The process of changing the state constitution, which requires putting those changes to a vote could take well over a year, he added. 
 
 If the court’s order remains in place during that time and Fallin refuses to remove the statue while waiting for constitutional changes, she could be in contempt of court. 
 
 “It creates the potential for a showdown between the legislative and judicial branches,” Kiesel said. “If you refuse to comply with a valid and lawful order of the court, there’s a word for that: it’s contempt.” 
 
 In an interview with the Washington Post last week, one of the plaintiffs in the case against the state noted that the monument is so large and unavoidable that it gives the impression of a state-sanctioned religion. 
 
 “I’m not opposed to Ten Commandment monuments; I’m opposed to them on government property,” said Bruce Prescott, who is an ordained Baptist minister. “How do you take a covenant between God and his people and make it a secular monument?” 
 
 [This post has been updated.] ||||| LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Capitol lawn could soon get crowded: Existing statues that honor Confederate soldiers, fallen firefighters and the nine black children who integrated Little Rock Central High School might be joined shortly by tributes for vegans, a monkey-faced deity and a cloven-hooved demon. 
 
 This May 29, 2015 photo shows a memorial to Confederate soldiers, lower right, standing near the Arkansas state Capitol building in Little Rock, Ark. The Arkansas Capitol lawn could get crowded: Existing... (Associated Press) 
 
 A monument to Confederate women stands on the grounds of the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Statues and memorials could be joined by a monument of a Hindu monkey-faced... (Associated Press) 
 
 A memorial to Arkansas Medal of Honor recipients stands on the grounds of the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Statues and memorials could be joined by a monument of... (Associated Press) 
 
 A memorial to War of 1812 soldiers buried in Arkansas stands on the grounds of the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Statues and memorials could be joined by a monument... (Associated Press) 
 
 State legislators this year approved placing a privately funded Ten Commandments display on Capitol grounds, perhaps opening a way for religious groups and others to erect their own displays. The Satanic Temple has said it may erect a bronze Baphomet, and on Tuesday two more groups stepped forward to say they want space to promote their deeply held beliefs. 
 
 The Nevada-based Universal Society of Hinduism proposes a statue of Lord Hanuman, an immortal deity with an ape-like face and a tail known for incredible strength, perseverance and devotion. 
 
 The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals told The Associated Press it wants a massive vegetable banner hung from the Arkansas Capitol. 
 
 The monument menagerie, legal challenges withstanding, could eventually gaze upon the fertile political grounds that nurtured President Bill Clinton and current presidential hopefuls Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mike Huckabee. The Capitol currently has 15 monuments including a tribute to the Little Rock Nine, a group of teenagers escorted into Central High School by federal troops in 1957. 
 
 Last week's decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to outlaw religious displays at the Oklahoma Statehouse has shifted the groups' attention to Arkansas, which closely copied Oklahoma in drafting its own Ten Commandments display law. The groups are proposing plans for Arkansas that are similar or identical to what they wanted in Oklahoma. 
 
 Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said during an unrelated news conference Tuesday that he doesn't support the Hindu plan or that from The Satanic Temple, which advocates for the separation of church and state, to erect an 8½-foot-tall bronze Baphomet — a demonic goat-headed figure with horns, hooves, wings and a beard. 
 
 Arkansas lawmakers have argued, and the governor echoed, that the proposed Ten Commandments monument is of historical significance, rather than a purely religious display — a distinction used by the U.S. Supreme Court to determine the legality of similar structures. Hutchinson said any of the groups would need to petition the secretary of state or have their own legislation sponsored. 
 
 "We don't want just every group putting a statue on the Capitol grounds," Hutchinson said. "We want it to be exclusive, we want it to be reasoned, we want it to be reflective and I think that's one of the reasons (the Ten Commandments monument) went through the legislative process to accomplish that." 
 
 The Satanists, Hindus and animal rights groups disagree, arguing their deeply held beliefs belong alongside the Ten Commandments. 
 
 "I think a lot of people who don't know the religion, it will be a good opportunity for them to be curious and search for more information," said Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism. "(The Lord Hanuman statue) would be a good educational tool." 
 
 PETA spokeswoman Lindsay Rajt said the group will apply for a prominent vegan exhibition as soon as possible. 
 
 "We hope to display a banner that promotes a value system that people of other religions or no religion can appreciate or agree on — kindness and compassion toward all living beings," Rajt said. 
 
 The Church of the Latter-Day Dude — inspired by the film "The Big Lebowski" — and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster had inquired about space at the Oklahoma Capitol but haven't yet petitioned Arkansas. They didn't respond to requests for comment Tuesday. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Associated Press writer Andrew DeMillo contributed to this report. 
 
 ___ 
 
 Follow Allen Reed on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Allen_Reed . ||||| × Oklahoma Governor says monument will stay at capitol despite high court ruling 
 
 OKLAHOMA CITY – Lawmakers are fighting to keep the Ten Commandments Monument outside the Oklahoma State Capitol. 
 
 The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the Ten Commandments Monument must be removed from the Capitol grounds. 
 
 The Court says that monument violated a part of the Oklahoma Constitution that prohibited the use of public property for religious purposes. 
 
 Now, a group of Oklahoma lawmakers have filed an amendment, which would remove that language from the Oklahoma Constitution. 
 
 “After reviewing the Supreme Court’s Ten Commandments ruling, it is clear that we have a toxic provision in our state Constitution,” said Rep. John Paul Jordan. “It was written with discrimination in mind, and like a malignant tumor, needs to be removed completely. I am under the opinion the court’s strict interpretation of the language of Article 2, Section V could have far reaching implications. It could possibly lead to the Native American artwork in the Capitol and State Supreme Court buildings being removed as much of it is religious in nature. In addition, it could lead to individuals on state funded insurance programs being unable to receive medical care as a large portion of hospitals in Oklahoma are supported by a religious affiliation.” 
 
 After the ruling, some lawmakers even called for the seven justices who voted against the monument to be impeached. 
 
 “We need to restore the balance in our state government and not put up with this kind of judicial tyranny,” Rep. Calvey said. 
 
 “This would be a lengthy and expensive process that likely wouldn’t go anywhere because the justices didn’t do anything wrong. They followed the letter of the law,” Rep. Virgin said. 
 
 Gov. Mary Fallin says the monument will remain at the Capitol while appeals and constitutional changes are considered. 
 
 “Oklahoma is a state where we respect the rule of law, and we will not ignore the state courts or their decisions. However, we are also a state with three co-equal branches of government. At this time, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, with my support, has filed a petition requesting a rehearing of the Ten Commandments case. Additionally, our Legislature has signaled its support for pursuing changes to our state Constitution that will make it clear the Ten Commandments monument is legally permissible. If legislative efforts are successful, the people of Oklahoma will get to vote on the issue.” 
 
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– Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has no plans to take down the 6-foot-tall stone Ten Commandments monument from state Capitol grounds—despite a state Supreme Court ruling ordering just that, reports Reuters. Fallin says her attorney general is asking the high court to reconsider its 7-2 ruling, saying, per Tulsa World, "Oklahoma is a state where we respect the rule of law, and we will not ignore the state courts or their decisions. However, we are also a state with three co-equal branches of government," with her spokesman adding she wants those other sectors of government to weigh in. Part of Fallin's argument: Taxpayers aren't paying for it, and it's not much different from annual Christmas tree lightings held there or from Native American art displayed on government property, notes the Washington Post. "It is a privately funded tribute to historical events, not a taxpayer-funded endorsement of any religion, as some have alleged," she says, per CNN. Some lawmakers are even trying to pass a constitutional amendment to get around the ruling, with one rep saying "it is clear that we have a toxic provision in our state Constitution … written with discrimination in mind, [which] … like a malignant tumor, needs to be removed completely," per KFOR. The ACLU of Oklahoma doesn't agree with this stance, or Fallin's, calling her decision "political grandstanding," the Post notes. Meanwhile, at least three other groups are now vying for space on Capitol grounds: The Universal Society of Hinduism wants a Lord Hanuman monkey-god statue, and the Satanic Temple is looking to put up a bronze likeness of the goatlike idol Baphomet, the AP notes, while PETA wants a banner depicting vegetables hung at the Arkansas Capitol. Other groups looking for their own space at the Oklahoma Capitol include the Church of the Latter-Day Dude, created as an homage to The Big Lebowski, and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.