WTF is COFSM
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (COFSM) is a rational take on the theory of Intelligent Design. Intelligent Design can be interpreted in many ways and there are options available to help you decide if COFSM is right for you.
For a hundred years or so, educators, parents and students have debated over the issue of teaching evolution in public schools. In 1925, John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution in his class. A trial followed and Scopes was found guilty. The concept of evolution simply did not jive with the belief in a higher power - God.
It is unsettling for many of us that the popularity of ‘Intelligent Design’ (ID) seems to be creeping back over the past decade as the only truth. That’s a depressing trend for those of us who recognize the truth about science and intellectual thought. ID believers say that some natural phenomena are so complex as to be unexplained by evolution. The only other conclusion for the ID community is the existence of an entity who has created the planet and who designed all living things. It is worrisome that ID is given credence by many in the education field even though their thoughts on evolution are mostly off the scientific mark.
In 2005, the question of teaching evolution and Intelligent Design in public schools was pushed into the public consciousness again when the Kansas State Board of Education decided to mandate the teaching of Intelligent Design (ID) as well as evolution in science classrooms. The fundamental premise of ID is the belief that nature did not evolve as a result of random natural selection, but rather was delivered, as it were, by an intelligent entity although the ID believers have not actually named the entity. ID advocates maintain that it is as much a scientific theory as that of evolution. Meanwhile, the scientific community is shaking its ‘collective head’ over the idea of ID and has highly criticized the move by the Kansas State Board of Education.
But, scientists and rationalists alike have risen to the challenge imposed on their belief of natural selection and the process of evolution. One, Bobby Henderson, has taken action by publishing an open letter to the Kansas Board on his website. Henderson is a physics graduate who created The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
In his letter, Bobby pointed out the skewed ideas of ID by telling the board that according to their new rules, teachers must also teach his own theory of creation. The Universe was made by the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Henderson claimed that his theory had at least as much logic as Intelligent Design. He called for an equal share of time in the school curriculum devoted to each of the three theories: 'One- third time for Intelligent Design, one- third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one-third time for scientifically verifiable logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.'
Members of COFSM also known as Pastafarianists postulate that if we find scientific evidence that all things were created by a single God in seven days, Henderson said in his web letter to the Kansas School Board.”
"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."
Henderson wrote that belief in Intelligent Design can take many forms. But the singular view of the ID believers’ theory detracts from an important scientific viewpoint - that the universe was actually created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM). He asked that School Board consider teaching his theory in equal time given to ID and evolution. Henderson went as far as saying he was prepared to take legal action unless the School Board agreed. To help make his point Henderson added to his web letter, a depiction of the Flying Spaghetti Monster creating all living things: ‘The mountains, trees, and a “midgit” [sic] with His powerful Noodly Appendage.’
Said founder Henderson: "Some claim that the church is purely a thought experiment, satire, illustrating that Intelligent Design is not science, but rather a pseudoscience manufactured by Christians to push Creationism into public schools. These people are mistaken. The Church of FSM is real, totally legit and backed by hard science. Anything that comes across as humor or satire is purely coincidental."
FSM was able to see an endless futile argument between humans that has resulted in perpetual generational hate and conflict and paints the controversy with wit from the wise.
The group has embraced the theories of Intelligent Design with satire and humor. Assuredly adherents of the FSM movement fervently believe that everything in the Universe was created a flying spaghetti monster.
The organization has many members who claim that increasing global warming, more severe earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters are a direct result of the diminishing population of pirates since the 1800s.
Bobby Henderson did receive actual replies from the Kansas State Board of Education, including two members who planned to vote against the teaching of Intelligent Design in Kansas classrooms. The School Board voted 6 to 4 in favor of revising the definition of science in 2005. The search for the ultimate truth of creation was no longer limited to natural evolution theories. In the ID community this decision was hailed as a victory. But in August 2006, evolution proponents became members of the School Board and this control enabled the Board to continue to educate the public about evolution. Bobby Henderson has penned a book called The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. He still operates the FSM Web site, publishing the email he receives from both supporters and protestors and he posts news headlines and even - yes, holiday greetings.
Henderson saw that the science of creation was becoming less popular in schools virtually everywhere where evangelicalism rules. Henderson wrote a book about an issue that has become critical in educating generations of students and to society at large. But science is under fire by some religious groups. This is not to trivialize religion in our society because for many, religion is extremely important in their lives; it grounds them giving them their own perception of the meaning of life. On the other hand, science is what satisfies natural curiosity to understand our world and the universe. Nirvana is a perfect place but that’s not where we live. But humankind would be a lot closer to that ideal if science and religion give each other more elbow room to find the way to a mutual goal: keeping religion and science separate so that each is respected and then, we protect both from each other and then from ideas like the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Then again Henderson’s message may be less complex than it appears - pirates are always cool. Yar! Me matie!
