Friday 15 July 2011

Pastor Pasta and a Parable of Preposterousness

So, Austrian man Niko Alm, wins legal rights recognising his religious worship of the flying spaghetti monster valid in the eyes of the law. All good religions of course must have symbolic dress codes to set them apart from all bad religions, and so part of his 'Pastafarianism' involves religious headgear - namely a Pasta strainer. For the purposes of his driving license photograph his worship of Pasta allows him to wear the pasta strainer on his head (see below)



I could spend all day writing on this, in fact I could spend all week. It's my kind of story :) But I'll try to be as brief as possible;

If anything it highlights the ludicrous nature of overlapping religious beliefs in secular societies. I suspect this may in fact be Mr Alm's objective - I mean, push this to it's logical conclusions (although to me, logic and religion parted company with a tree, an apple and a snake). Tomorrow if I decide to worship nylon stockings (and I have been known to - though much depends on the wearer) could I claim the right to have this appearance below on my driving license?


Logic (and the law) dictates that I can - and what about those who become like Carmen Miranda - faithful followers of fruit?


I can hear the cops now after pulling one of them over for speeding - "This license is fake, that's clearly an orange on your head but in this image it's a banana."

Or 'Details' - Height 5' 9" - Caucasian - Black Hair - Eyes Blue - Grapes Green.


It's all so bloody stupid.

And you know what?

I love it :)

Rory - I'm back, after a short absence due to a malfunctioning arm and hand.




12 comments:

  1. So glad to see you back on the keyboard. Does this mean the arm/hand are improving or are you just toughing it out?

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  2. Toughing it out I'm afraid! It's been so bad I've removed the Robocop arm just to try and get some relief but it's not working - but I do type faster :) Surgery within two weeks I hope - it seems my whole arm has to be opened up and the nerves within reset :( It's a German surgeon - they are pretty efficient so I'm optimistic it will work :)

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  3. I'm so glad you are back! I've missed you and your incredible humor! I'm sorry your hand and arm are giving you such trouble. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

    xoxo,
    Sue

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  4. A German surgeon? Aren't they next to Austria? And they're known for wearing pasta strainers and locking up their daughters.
    Be careful Rory... be very careful!

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  5. Glad you're back and feelin' fine (well, a wee bit fine) I'm praying to the flying spaghetti monster that you'll be fully recovered in no time!

    Seriously though, 'some' scientific studies have shown that the power of prayer really does speed recovery and well being... so, if all your followers send good vibes, you'll be typing away and strumming that geetar sooner than you could ever have thought possible :-)

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  6. Glad you're back. I missed your posts! :)

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  7. Back with style. ;) Glad you're alive... and sorry you're in much pain, Rory.

    You have to give credit to the idea and purpose behind FSM, that's for sure (even though they have gotten a bit too big for their boots and hinder atheism/secular humanism in other respects).

    "Your banana is clearly upside down, ma'am."

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  8. Yay you're back! I bet the surgery will do wonders. Noodles crossed.

    The Pastafarian movement has a glorious history, as the original Pastaman successfully opposed and defeated mandatory Christian doctrine being taught in Kansas Public schools. All hail His Noodly Goodness!

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  9. He..ck, yes, Austan! :) He played those noodles incredibly noodle-y.

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  10. we live in an age of percieved fear
    fear of upsetting people

    in real life....

    there is always a chance of upsetting someone

    why worry

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  11. How are you doing over there Rory? I hope you are not in too much pain. Hopefully the surgery will put you to rights.

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  12. I love that story about the pastafarian, and even mentioned it on my blog today, but that's the first time I saw his pictures. But alas, I don't believe the powers that be would let you get away with the whole stocking over your head thing. You'd have to at least cut out a whole for your face. Take care. Hope that surgery does the trick for you.

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