MTU Pastafarians harassed

The Michigan Tech University Pastafarian club has been the victim of harassment even before their first meeting. The MTU Lode reports:

Two individuals are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures through the Dean of Students Office after an investigation by MTU Public Safety determined that they posted a threatening message on the door of the President and Vice President of a recently-formed student organization called the Pastafarian Club.

Some background on the MTU Pastafarian club’s leaders:

According to the president of the Pastafarianism Club, Matt Halberstad–who identifies as agnostic–the group is a parody “religion.” But the group’s purpose isn’t to attack religion, and one would be hard-pressed to find a member of the group who truly believes in their parody deity–the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The vice president of the Pastafarian Club, Steven Wheeler–who is atheist–believes that Henderson’s argument boils down to the main belief of the Michigan Tech chapter of the Pastafarians: creationism, whether or not one believes in it, is not a science, and should not be taught in a science classroom.

I agree with that, but there are people - maybe not in this particular club - who do truly believe in the FSM. Also, I want to make the point that there are plenty of Christians who are members of the Christian religion without truly believing in the deity God/Jesus.

The harassment was hateful, not unlike some of the messages I receive. In part, the message said:

they [Pastafarians] should be shot and hanged from the tallest redwood and then thrown to the raging sea.

The individuals who left the hate messages were caught and are now facing a hearing:

The Bias-Related Harassment and Violence section of MTU’s Code of Community Conduct covers threats due to one’s “race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religious or cultural identity, sexual orientation, gender-identity or gender.” The penalties for violating the Bias-Related Harassment and Violence section range from disciplinary probation to expulsion.

The outcome of this will be very interesting. Even if the death threats were not meant to be taken seriously, they were still hateful messages directed at members of a religious group on campus. What if the harassment had been instead directed at an Islam club? I strongly suspect the kids would be expelled.

I wonder if the school admins are willing to make the statement that Pastafarians deserve less protection against religious harassment than other mainstream religions.

That said, I don’t think these kids should be expelled. But it would upset me if a Pastafarian organization received less protection than another religious organization (or any other organization).

I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith.

Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.

I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this enough, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t.

You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature.

In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. 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.

Sincerely Yours,

Bobby Henderson, concerned citizen.

P.S. I have included an artistic drawing of Him creating a mountain, trees, and a midget. Remember, we are all His creatures.



16 CommentsChronological   Reverse   Threaded
ahoovati wrote on Apr 22
LOL

where do you find these treasure ?
bugsey wrote on Apr 22, edited on Apr 22
This is important to me *lmao*. After a LONG and WINDING discussion and uncharitable exchanges and "religious debates" you gotta admit that these noodle people have a ""message". We may not just "see" it as perceptively as they do!
I have gone to their page and I am kinda convinced that these are persecuted people who only happen to believe in The Flying Spaghetti Monster and the universality of pasta in the cuisine world.
I believe that these people are persecuted and thus, decided to let people some religious people know that they are NOT the only ones persecuted :)
Also, I love noodles.
bearsplace wrote on Apr 22
I am a pirate. I have seen the wonders of his noodly appendages...I have a FSM logo on my truck...I was a pastafarian from way back...glad to have you aboard, Arrgghh matey..
bugsey wrote on Apr 22
I am a pirate. I have seen the wonders of his noodly appendages...I have a FSM logo on my truck...I was a pastafarian from way back...glad to have you aboard, Arrgghh matey..
His noodly appendage must have put us together! I am so glad that you are a pirate considering the dangers of global warming

rAmen!
ithankyou wrote on Apr 23
pastafarians are great, they are friendly and they respect every noodle, be it chinese noodles, italian pastas, pancit, vermicelli and all types. there is no discrimination in the pastafarian religion. after reading your blog i have decided that this religion is good because in asia we love noodles.i like pirate stories too. compared to other religions, i think pastafarianism is the best and no one debates about anything but shows only love and noodles.
khalipor wrote on Apr 26
noodle people maybe peaceful peaceful than others. simple is rite.
ithankyou wrote on Apr 26
noodle people maybe peaceful peaceful than others. simple is rite.
yes esmael and it's a joke. just a joke. you understand okay?
bugsey wrote on Apr 26
noodle people maybe peaceful peaceful than others. simple is rite.
I agree that noodle people are a LOT more peaceful than the rest!!!!!
wienerfest wrote on Apr 26
The Romen sect is very popular around here.
bugsey wrote on Apr 26
The Romen sect is very popular around here.
Oh yummy, do they dash all the cheese over the noodly appendage and the Roma tomatoes?
wienerfest wrote on Apr 26
They are worshipped in many ways. The Ultra-Orthodox Romenites would never adulterate The Great Romen with cheese or tomatoes. However The Reformed Romenites are far more liberal.
bugsey wrote on Apr 26, edited on Apr 26
They are worshipped in many ways. The Ultra-Orthodox Romenites would never adulterate The Great Romen with cheese or tomatoes. However The Reformed Romenites are far more liberal.
Are the saintly pirates that stop global warming more of the Orthrodox or Reformed? Reformed Pastafarians are those liberals who think vermicelli and instant noodles in the cup is acceptable to the Flying Spaghetti Monster!!!!!! heresy!!!

rAmen
wienerfest wrote on Apr 26
The Romenites in general believe that any gas produced by The Great Romen is good... therefore it could not cause global warming...unless the Romenites needed warmth.
bugsey wrote on Apr 27
The Romenites in general believe that any gas produced by The Great Romen is good... therefore it could not cause global warming...unless the Romenites needed warmth.
The orthodox believe in the old ways. Their main heroes are the pirates who used to stop global warming. Today, there is less global warming effect in Somalia!!! WHY??? Because they have the MOST pirates!!!!! I go with the Ramenites that any noodly appendage is good. The noodle appendage is a "universal" fact that cannot be denied!!! It's time people OPEN their eyes and realize that every culture has been Pastafarian without their knowing it. Thus, pastafarians should unite and promote piracy to stop the destruction of the planet!!!!

rAmen
bugsey wrote on Apr 27
http://bugsey.multiply.com/journal/item/297

Latest news on Pastafarian persecution !!!!!!
khalipor wrote on Apr 27
very bad shd not desceeminate nudel pple.
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