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Forever and Ever, Ramen.
Many centuries ago, our ancestors first arrived on these shores, filled with hope that here, at last, was a place where they could practice their religion without discrimination. In the long years that followed, they endured prejudice, reprisals, threats, intimidation, even the occasional pogrom. Through it all, they clung tenaciously to their faith, buoyed by the belief that someday, their Faith would attain the level of respect and academic legitimacy that it so richly deserved.
At least, that day is here!
While the five academics drew laughs while discussing topics like meatballs, pirates and “saucy baptisms,” they spent most of the time discussing how the faith illuminates their own debates over the secular versus the profane, the fake versus the real, and the roles of communities and parody in religion.Conference organizers received “hateful” e-mail and voice messages from Christians offended by Monday’s panel, said Northwestern University religious-studies professor Sarah Taylor. Whether other religious leaders agree the Flying Spaghetti Monster deserved such a forum is unclear: The panel drew an audience of only a hundred.
One panel member defended the discussion. “Most people don’t think we’re serious. They just keep saying, ‘You’re having a lot of fun,’” said University of Florida graduate student Samuel Snyder. “Yes, we’re having a blast. But … this is quite serious, too.”
Reaction to public disclosure of the spaghetti deity’s existence has ranged from hysterical laughter to staid criticism. “It is a serious offense to mock God,” wrote one Kansas state school-board member.
As if you needed any further proof that Pastafarianism has arrived as a true and proper Faith, we offer the following incontrovertible evidence. We feel this photo speaks for itself.
