Bryan Killian, a high school student in North Buncombe, North Carolina was suspended for coming to school dressed as a pirate.
But the disciplinary action has provoked controversy – because the student says that the ban violates his rights, as the pirate costume is part of his religion.
Read about it in the Metro or the Citizen-Times.
This story is blowing up and I’ve been having a lot of problems keeping the server running. It’s currently #1 on Digg and Reddit.
I’ll have some updates and more information about all this soon.
I feel very sorry for him
luckyly in germany people accept my way of life. Some people laugh at me but thats not my problem!
Ramen!
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Well, this was in East Bu — North Buncombe.
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The town is not North Buncombe, it’s Weaverville, NC.
I personally know the kid, he’s friends with my buddies younger brother and I’ve seen him many o’ times. Everytime I’ve seen him, he’s not once had the eye patch on. This is ridiculous and I agree with the school 100%, he could have easily taken the eyepatch off and avoided geting suspended. The school is a place for learning, not trying to convert people to pastafarianism. He’s allowed to do this downtown in Asheville, even downtown in Weaverville, anywhere in public really. Do it those places, not in a high school.
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bah, what does it matter if a kid wears an eyepatch to school, his teachers were fine with it, it was his principal who didnt like it, ive worn an eyepatch to school before also, and wh osays the kid was trying to convert people, i always got more people askign me about it thaan me tellign them about it
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Brian Wilde Mar 30th, 2007 at 11:31 am
The town is not North Buncombe, it’s Weaverville, NC.
I personally know the kid, he’s friends with my buddies younger brother and I’ve seen him many o’ times. Everytime I’ve seen him, he’s not once had the eye patch on. This is ridiculous and I agree with the school 100%, he could have easily taken the eyepatch off and avoided geting suspended. The school is a place for learning, not trying to convert people to pastafarianism. He’s allowed to do this downtown in Asheville, even downtown in Weaverville, anywhere in public really. Do it those places, not in a high school.
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Errm, excuse me Brian.
But isn’t it a public school?
Why yes it is! How about that. So you would agree he has the right, right?
Or is that only for wearing crosses?
I also, couldn’t find where he was trying to convert anybody to anything?
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Well, lets hope your buddies little brother, is smarter then you.
Ramen
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It’s the whole point he’s not really campaigning to come to school to wear pasta uniform its about campainging that no one brings religious rubbish in.
The whole basis of Pastafarianism is that is equal in intelligence to christanity, judiasm , islam and that where you give priveldges to one you give them to all other religions
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Jonno Mar 30th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
It’s the whole point he’s not really campaigning to come to school to wear pasta uniform its about campainging that no one brings religious rubbish in.
The whole basis of Pastafarianism is that is equal in intelligence to christanity, judiasm , islam and that where you give priveldges to one you give them to all other religions
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Bingo, Jonno.
This kid is doing the right thing. And he has a right to do it too!
I get really pissed reading the ideas like Brian Wilde has. Misguided ignorance, is worse then anything!
This whole, “lets play my way” because I’m right and you’re wrong has got to end!
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I wish it was my kid that made this statement with the eye patch, but in the public school she goes to, the teachers would have gotten pissed because she didn’t wear the rest of the garb.
I’m glad I live in NY and not down in Billy country.
Oddly enough, I was about 100 miles from there this week, in Linwood, NC must have been something in the air.
Ramen
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Oh, HELLO?!?! Can the world wake up, please?!?! This kid’s wearing of an eyepatch to school because of his religion is no different than a Christian wearing a cross around his neck or a Jewish kid wearing a star of David. Bryan Killian should totally sue the school for religious discrimination. For FSM’s sake, the principal should have been the one who got suspended!!
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This really reflects the whole point of Pastafarianism and the whole state of religious discrimination in the world today. I salute Bryan Killian for his freedom of speech and religious expression.
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I wonder why anyone even cares. The only problem in wearing an eye patch is, that it is harder for him to cheat during a test. So what’s the big deal??? Or did they have school uniforms there? Otherwise fashion rules.
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I’m in school in NC now, and I wish I had enough courage to do what he did. He is a bold, totally awesome person who totally deserves a medal/mention in the gospel. Go Bryan!!
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“Smug smile at st hypocrisy of school*
RAmen
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I wore WAY more shocking stuff than that when I was in high school and no one ever got me in trouble. I guess things are different now.
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Obviously its an education issue because
HOW IS HE GONNA READ THE BLACKBOARD?
with only one eye? he’ll miss the 3-D graphics!
!!
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How is wearing an eye patch “distracting?”
We had a guy in school wear one after what I can only assume was an operation (actually he never said why he was wearing it), and he never got in trouble.
I think because FSM has gained ground it has become a PC target for religious discrimination.
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@ All our overseas Pastafarians… (shameless plug)
Please don’t think this school, or the Kansas school board, or even the State of Alabama,
Really represent life in America. There are pockets of insanity to be found everywhere.
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I can totally understand, that when something like this hits international media.
That people would think that’s the way life is here. It’s not really.
It’s more of the squeaky wheel getting the grease then anything else.
With all the problems our current administration has created in recent years,
I realize we are fast losing face in this world.
But, I feel a need to say;
I still love my Country and believe in the democracy our forefathers created.
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It’s not to late to fix this mess, just remember to vote:
Peter Popoff for Prez
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Thank you all for your support to date,
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Ramen,
Peter Popoff
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Yay! Vote for PP – unfortunately I am in the wrong country, but his Noodly appendages will solve all :)
What a fucking mess! Poor guy! just know we are here for you and supporting you inyour persecution (I, Myself have drunk several glasses of Calvados in supplication for you!) RAmen
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Democracy! Ha Ha Ha, like our democracy in the U.K.?
We can vote for Blair’s New Labour blood soaked right wing b*st*rds, or we can vote for Tory boy Cameron’s blood soaked right wing b*st*rds.
I believe the States has a similar set up.
Politicians! put all the world’s politicians in a big sack and hit the sack with a baseball bat, you’ll hit the guilty one every time.
Ramen Brothers and Sisters, yarrrr.
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Well, I was kind of expecting a few oars up my ass.
But, being “bagged and batted” could work too.
Ramen
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Poor kid. I wonder how an eye patch is disruptive to class I mean honestly we do and wear crazier things and dont get in trouble. the fsm has a growing presence at my school, we observe talk like a pirate day, every so often someone shows up wearing something piratish, and at least one person(myself) has the car emblem. My school also has problems with religious tolerance at times because we have a Jesus Club that is advocated by a teacher or two and the school is not supposed to advocate religion of any sort but the club fought and won the rigth to be on campus (duh) which helped the rest of us.
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I agree with both brian and bryan, bryan.. ur right cuz you do have the right to wear your religious stuff to school… assumeing he really is a pastafarianist… and brian your right… its not proper but hey this is america… we have right to free speech and freedom of expresion so he can although he shouldnt…
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Bryan, may you rank alongside Rosa Parks in history books that are used in every school 30 years from now!
RAmen.
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We need to write a letter and ALL sign it saying that it is blatant religious discrimination and we genuinely believe that it is more likely that the world was created by a flying spaghetti monster in 2 seconds and wants us to dress as pirates than Jesus died on the cross for our sins and assuming Bryan Killian believes the same they must respect his beliefs, religion and expression of it.
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If he wants to express his is religous belief in the way he dresses then (within reason) the school should accomodate him assuming they don’t ban all other religious insignia/garb. If they find an eye patch unacceptable for safety reasons how about a tricorn hat? Or Skull and Cross-bones Bandana?
A wooden leg doesn’t sound very wise and a parrot probably isn’t hygienic.
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It is a severe kind of religious discrimination is to not take other peoples beliefs seriously.
I know many pastafarians who’ve thought their beliefs through a lot more than many Christians who choose to where Crucifixes.
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Can someone find the address of the school and tell us who to write to…
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@name?
Eye patch “Bryan” is completly in the right.
Head up his ass “Brian” should pull his head out of his ass.
For the very reasons you’ve stated. This is America, we have
Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression.
It is proper. Your saying it isn’t proper seems to contradict one of the above Freedoms, You can’t decide “proper” for me, thank you very muchly.
Should I decide “proper” for you?
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To DPG…
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“Bryan, may you rank alongside Rosa Parks in history books that are used in every school 30 years from now!”
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A big RAmen to that! Our little Pastafarian is going to make history!!
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Peter Popoff for President!!! (Hey, that’s three P’s in a row — pretty cool for marketing and such.) When Peter is president, kids will be REWARDED for coming to school in pirate regalia. They will earn… hmmm… root beer volcano points and at the end of the year there will be a huge party thrown for all of them. RAmen!
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To Captain Noodulous Silicate TBHNA… your idea is exactly what I had in mind, ‘cept I couldn’t think of it :) Can anyone get us the school information so that we can write and sign a letter? Prophet Bobby, can you help with this?
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I saw a film about a Brian who was a great prophet.
Was it a prophecy? Can anyone check that?
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Peter, I assume you know where the school is.
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Can you give us the address and the name of the principle.
I’ve got some other post for the USA (Beth that’s a little cluesey) I could post another letter at the same time.
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We all send letters to the school from around the world. Or we could send letters to Bryan and he takes them to the school…
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@Captain Noodulous Silicate TBHNA
I agree with everything you said except this bit…”(within reason)”…FSM dammit!!! if the boy wants to shout from the roof tops that he’s Pastafarian and proud by wearing his wooden leg, long coat, bead festooned beard and large loud brightly plumed bird then so be it!!!…this fine specimen of a lad is obviously “a lot” Pastafarian…should we ask him to express his devotion “a little”…
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*wabbit peers over spectacles donned to add wisdom to wabbit appearance…spectacles do not form part of wabbit religious regalia*
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Sorry, Captain, I’m dense — can you explain what you meant by “Beth that’s a little cluesey”? Did I screw up something?
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its just wrong he was susspended if i could get away with going to work in pirate gear i would only if i did i prolly would die lol but then atleast i will be with the noodley one
RAmen
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Thumper, you have spectacles???? Could you possible be the esteemed wabbit in the song/video “The Hare Who Lost His Spectacles”??? If so, I WORSHIP YOU!! (I’ll worship you even more if you know who did that song :)
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Captain Noodulous Silicate TBHNA Mar 30th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Peter, I assume you know where the school is.
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Can you give us the address and the name of the principle.
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Email posted, I’ve got to find the name of the boss there though.
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@Beth
Hello!!! =:)
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Does this have anything to do with what you’re talking about…http://remus.rutgers.edu/JethroTull/Albums/APassionPlay-lyrics.html#TheStoryOfTheHareWhoLostHisSpectacles
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I only don spectacles when I’m trying to foster the illusion of wisdom…
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!! Thumper, you are THE BOMB!!! I LOVE YOU!!! (No offense intended to the future Mrs. Thumper, of course :) No one on earth knows about that video! You rock! I’m going to tell my best friend (who is also a major Tull fan like myself) that I’ve actually MET the Hare who lost his spectacles!!! Eeeeeeeee!!!
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I gotta try this in the UK. I bet my biology teacher’d join me. Last year she told the school at large she was a Jedi Knight.
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Peter Popoff:
Unless I’m missing something, why is a Christian teleangelist supporting the Pastafarian religion? Would it be cynical to see it as a hypocritical ploy for votes?
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@ Anon – BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
OMFSM – *breathe* – you need to get out more, mate!
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@ Peter – I agree with Tagliatellius on politicians, but don’t even consider you to be in the same group! I like you way too much to do that! You are far above the madding crowd, at least in my head! :)
@ everyone – this is such a good example of what is happening in this country. It’s shocking how the religious nutjobs are taking control (or at least trying to). I have thought for some time that it would be much better to ban all religious symbols from schools (no offense to His Noodlyness, but this is the best way to be fair, given that people are so completely idiotic). I think a school in Florida actually did ban all religious holidays in an attempt at a reasonable policy but had to reverse the decision because people are stupid.
My husband has said for some time that he likes it when people wear a crucifix or star of david – that way we know for sure the level of stupidity we’ll be dealing with when talking to those people!
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Anon Mar 30th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Peter Popoff:
Unless I’m missing something, why is a Christian teleangelist supporting the Pastafarian religion? Would it be cynical to see it as a hypocritical ploy for votes?
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It’s simple really.
I’m a pirate, I needed to make some money.
Could I interest you in some of my… Jesus Christ… Almighty… Mighty…
Miracle Water… It’s on sale this week…
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@Beth
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!! Thumper, you are THE BOMB!!! I LOVE YOU!!!”…yes well…I’ve been saying this for years…nice of you to notice though…I’m sure the future Mrs Thumper will be tickled pink with your observations…
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@ Booty – Hiya! :) Love your answer to Anon…RAmen! He/She has much to learn about us!
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OK – I’m gonna be flamed for this (like I care) Do we know what the school’s rules said?
Do they specify a uniform? OK – this is in the States – but if you sign up for a school you agree to their rules and regulations – wearing an eye patch – ok! I was told to remove my sunglasses once (I was only wearing them to piss the staff off).
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Question – In the UK an unfair dismissal case was overturned recently – muslim teacher (TA – I think) refused to remove her Niqab – case relied on the fact that the eyes are a major source of communication!
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In the US are muslims allowed to wear full niqab? are xtians allowed to wear ‘visible’ religious symbols?
Sorry folks – you know I’m on your side but I won’t jump on a bandwagon without the full details!
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@ Peter – On sale! Great! I seem to have noticed that your miracle water has a highly intoxicating effect…or is that just me confusing it with whiskey? :)
@ Thumpie – Haven’t had a chance to chat with you in a while. Checked out your pics – the future Mrs. Thumpie is gorgeous…no fooling! Feel free to pass that comment along to her if you like…
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@Rowdy
Hello!!!
“I think a school in Florida actually did ban all religious holidays”…what about Easter?…I kinda like Easter…tis the season to be a wabbit…the Easter Bunny is a distant relative of mine…65th child of my mother’s 17th sisters 8th litter…I was offered the job originally but turned it down for religious reasons…
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@ Thumpie – Hi!! I don’t know if they banned Easter…but no matter what you are hilarious!
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@ Alchemist – If you get flamed I’m going down with you because I agree with you – people should follow the rules. I think the rules should be applied fairly and consistently, though.
“In the US are muslims allowed to wear full niqab? are xtians allowed to wear ‘visible’ religious symbols?” I am uncertain of this – anyone more familiar with the rules please let us know!
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@Rowdy – Thanks :)
One day my bloody attitude is going to end up with me in ITU with a 8″ blade stuck between my ribs :((
Will I change? Will I hell!
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To PP: I am from Europe and I live in the US for a few years, so I can tell you: it really is worse than I expected! Don’t get me wrong, there are some good things and some people really do think, but there isn’t much freedom or democracy here. If you would live in another civilized country for a while, you would understand. Your president is always preaching democracy and is acting like the dictator of the world. The USA doesn’t approve the world justice court (democracy??) and the USA and Somalia are the only countries in the world where they can have death penalty on children. And you can cry out Nazi-paroles, but you are not allowed to criticize the country (either love it or leave it! Hello, freedom??). I don’t want to be rude, I am a guest here, but you should start looking beyond your borders to change things, you can’t just lean back and stuck to your old ‘it used to be meant…’ structure. Things are changing to the worse and you have to act now. And just the two options to vote… c’mon!!
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Methinks we should canonize Bryan for his steadfastness in the face of oppression. “Saint Killian” has a very Pirately ring to it…
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