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.
@Wenchy and RDPK
Yes…the faeries were acting up again…I managed to catch the all and fed them to Ships Cat…we’re getting on much better since I had him “fixed”…the “Bunyip” post above was actually part “B” of my April 1 message to “Hugdaddy”…thats right…I was Bunyip all along!!!…you’ve discovered my secret…the shame…
@RDPK
Bunyips are responsible for the disappearance of numerous European backpackers in OZ…be sure to seek appropriate advice from your travel consultant prior to any scheduled visit Down Under…
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I’m off to the land of nod…was in Court today at 10.00am for a matter that finally “got on” at 6.00pm…*wabbit stares at carpet for 8 hours*…I’m feeling a little woosey and need cuddles from the future Mrs Thumper…nighty nite…
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=:)
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Ohhhh….I neally forgot!!!…my favourite Bunyip is the one on the skate board that races across the bottom of the home page…he’s small and you might miss him but that’s what makes him so cool…yet dangerous…you’ve been warned…nite…
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That kid is nearly a martyr! (he is still alive)
Maybe the Church of the FSM should make ‘Hall of Nearly Martyrs’ page as a tribute to all those who have been persecuted for their faith.
Way to go Bryan Killian, keep up the piratical behaviour.
Yarrr!
(Is piratical a word?)
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Although a bit off topic, I must point out that wearing an eyepatch served a valid function for pirates as they moved from on deck to below deck, as demonstrated by the Mythbusters. When walking into a dark school from the bright outside or from a bright classroom into a dim hallway, merely switching the patch from eye to eye allows the night vision eye to take over greatly improving vision in the dim light and not having to wait for adjustment. Perhaps the school’s energy efficiency lighting policy was to blame, and the poor fellow was just trying to see. Any eyepatch would be more functional that sunglasses under these conditions.
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To DrA… no, that is VERY on topic. This information should definitely be included in a letter sent to Bryan Killian’s school district.
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I also tried this at my school yesterday and was asked to remove the patch. My teacher had a laugh and thought I was just kidding. When I told her the patch was for religious reasons she said I could wear it in the lunch hour but said I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the blackboard and text books without depth perception. She had a point, am I being descriminated against? Anyway, I’m off to school.
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Jolly Roger Apr 2nd, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I also tried this at my school yesterday and was asked to remove the patch. My teacher had a laugh and thought I was just kidding. When I told her the patch was for religious reasons she said I could wear it in the lunch hour but said I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the blackboard and text books without depth perception. She had a point, am I being descriminated against? Anyway, I’m off to school.”
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I think that you are yes!
Put it back on and tell her it helps to keep the glare down from that cross on that girls neck that sits next to you!
Ramen
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LOL, Peter!!
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@Wench Beth Apr 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 pm “To DrA… no, that is VERY on topic. This information should definitely be included in a letter sent to Bryan Killian’s school district.”
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I’ll have a VERY CLOSE LOOK at that letter before I add my name to it… ;)
Anyone following the “parallel” discussion on the forum? OK, I won’t make too much publicity for the forum, I might get told something akin to the “Oh, will you stop sending people to the main page” I got from the forum’s newest spammer… Hahahahaaaaaargh, those teenagers!
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Wow, I leave for a while on a holy noodly mission and return to see my saucy brothers being percecuted for our religious beliefs…oh i’m sorry, i thought we lived in AMERICA! someone call the ACLU! can i get a RAmen?!
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I pay homage to The Noodly One and hope that my off-topic comment will not invoke His/Her wrath. Then on to my topic…
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I stumbled upon His/Her (do you actually know which?) noodliness one night as I was searching through Google for the correct way to spell a certain conjugated form of the word “numbers” in Finnish. For those of you wondering: Yes, I am Finnish and in my language we conjugate all word classes with suffixes. I can only think that i witnessed an al-dente intervention by The Noodly One and was always meant to discover Him/Her.
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Consequently I have attended school in Finland and will tell something about it. When I started in 1st grade in 1988, a normal school day started with a prayer. Around 1991 prayers in schools like the morning devotion were outlawed, I believe because we have freedom of religion and separation of state and church in Finland also. Already in 10th grade almost all students at my school and I believe at most other schools also would be irritated by the teacher of religion class when she, a priest by training, was biased in favour of protestant christianity. I and many others thought that being devoutly religious made her unfit to teach religion, as the purpose of the class is not to convert/reaffirm students.
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My first day of school during high-school exchange in Australia was shocking, as every day at this private school started with a public prayer in assembly or through the intercom.
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I remember reading about the Kansas school board decision a few years ago, and am very surprised to see the issue still alive today! I believe a story as silly as ID would not have survived more than a few days, if it were not a means of the FSM to finally reach the public eye and with the prophet begin a culinary concuest of the hears of all mankind.
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And my sympathies to brave Brian Killian for the very unfair treatment he has received. May you be one with the FSM one day!
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Shocking. Absolutely shocking. We cannot allow this discrimination to go on!
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Jolly Roger
Apr 2nd, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I also tried this at my school yesterday and was asked to remove the patch. My teacher had a laugh and thought I was just kidding. When I told her the patch was for religious reasons she said I could wear it in the lunch hour but said I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the blackboard and text books without depth perception. She had a point, am I being descriminated against? Anyway, I’m off to school.
*
Yes, I have one bad eye and have no depth perception to speak of. I never had any problems concentrating on the blackboard, books etc. I have no problems driving either. I just had to learn what the distances are instead of just seeing them.
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Hello Cottura 5 Minuti,
Welcome to CoFSM. Does anyone remember if Finland was on the most recent list of countries with FSM adherents? Can’t seem to find the most recent list which added Austria I think. Anyone remember what thread that was (or would just copy-paste the list with Finland added, if it wasn’t there already)?
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I just ran across http://www.becketfund.org, “to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions”. Maybe they’ll help Pastafarians too?
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What an idiot! lmao
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RowanB , Sir , you have wrong . We are not IDiots , we are Pastafarians . RAmen
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We stand united by the FSM’s all knowing noodliness!
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Thanks @DutchPastaGuy
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Added Finland to the list found in the “Ken Miller video” thread. The latest additions there were Austria and Hungary.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Britain
Canada
China
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Guatemala
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Poland
Russia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Arab Emirates
USA
May the whole world feel the love of The Noodly One!
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Wait, are those countries that the FSM hath touched with His Noodly Appendages. Cause if so then haven’t we forgot the good ol’ UK?
And remember, France is the Holy Land of FSMism, though I can’t remember why.
RAmen
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Ramen
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In the name of the monster, of the midget and the holy noodles.
Ramen.
Dear FSM,
We pray that thou forgive all the people who discriminate against us, and let them re-thnk what they have done to our religion.
In the name of the monster, of the midget and the holy noodles.
Ramen.
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@Pixel,
Kids these days, such limited attention spans….ok, sorry Pixel, couldn’t resists being patronising. France is in the list, the UK is listed as Britain.
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Ok, apart from me being a complete git to Pixel, we are nearing 30 countries. Excellent. If anyone from India or Indonesia reads this, please post your presence. Seems a real shame, two such populous nations missing out completely on the warm embrace of His Noodly appendages.
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I thought the ACLU was already involved with this case, however if they’re not the should be notified immediatly, i heard somewhere that they were but in the event that they were not. http://www.aclu.org . Sue those prejudiced bastards. Additionally, i’m going to school tommorow dressed the same way as should all pastafarians who wold TFSM dear to them.
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This is a serious situation, albeit it is funny that a kid wore an eyepatch to school. This kid was denied his right to express his religion and if Pastafarians cant wear eyepatches than Christians can’t wear crosses. It’s the same basic principle.
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We are an authentic religion (belief/faith system) and should be accepted as such!
The fact we don’t conduct worship inside a specially dedicated building makes no difference. Many xtian religions now conduct worship facilities online as in the example given in this article.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6517807.stm
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O come all ye faithful?
“….St Pixels is an internet church, which offers prayers, daily Bible readings and a chat room to its online congregation. The fact its on the net does not make it any less valid than attending a church made of bricks and mortar, says Simon Jenkins, its co-founder.”
“St Pixels may fall outside of what is traditional but we still consider it a genuine church. It is a real parish of real people who don’t stop being members when they log off. It is not a second-class experience, just a different one. The site appeals to a whole spectrum of people, ultimately we are hoping to encourage faith.”
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Freedom of religion!
RAmen
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but wearing the eyepatch, would be no different than letting Christian kids wear crosses to school. I bet if the prinicipal suspended someone for wearing a cross, half the country would pissed, and marching on the school.
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Don’t have this problem in France where all religions are discrimated aginst equally.
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You should get somebody over there to do something, like agianst the original Kansas school board.
Careful not to become like Jessie Jackson where you blow things out of proportion, however.
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@ 14 year old Pastafarian
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“Careful not to become like Jessie Jackson where you blow things out of proportion,”
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What! – no TNT Bugger!
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Wanted to let you know about the Blog Against Theocracy swarm this weekend.
I feel certain that you have some thoughts. Perhaps the Flying Spaghetti Monster might wave his noodly appendages for our general direction.
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Hey, if any of you are bored, this guy needs to be taught a lesson. He says that atheists are fundamentalists…..sure to be lots of fun here.
http://puritanbob.blogspot.com/2007/01/fundamentalist-atheism.html
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Third Eye Patch
That be a piss take me thinks :))
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Oh glorious FSM – Please deliver unto us, your humble serpents, a fundie or two! Even an interesting troll would do at a pinch. I’m running out of spoof e-mail accounts – well, no, not really!
I thank you for mail.com and googlemail.com – for they are surely your work!
I bask in the…….
Shit! I’m bored! It’s 2150 in the land of Blair – I’ve been to the Pub – screw all happening there (ah, poetry again).
FFS – I can hear tumble weed blowing across the screen – I’ve got eight tins of Stella and a mind for mischief – please provide! Otherwise I’ll go and do something daft again!
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Out of interest – any Cthulhu worshippers around? I was only being friendly :) Every time I wrote *shit* the mods changed it to *spam* – I had to see what swear words were allowed – c’mon folks – have a sense of humour eh! Tossers!
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Cheer up Alchemist ;))
Remember we’re largely counting on you to bring us some sport :))
Well you put your hand up ;)
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What’s going on in the church?
Haven’t been here in a while. Did I miss any fundies?
RAmen
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@Pixel
It’s quiet on the fundie front. Although there was ‘A firm believer in god’ preaching eternal damnation for those who praise the FSM. On the Kansas school reaction to the open letter thread I believe.
I told him to open his heart to the FSM, but not to take it literally and just put that knife down again.
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@VirusHead Apr 7th, 2007 at 10:51 am
“Wanted to let you know about the Blog Against Theocracy swarm this weekend.
I feel certain that you have some thoughts. Perhaps the Flying Spaghetti Monster might wave his noodly appendages for our general direction.”
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RAmen
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I happily and traditionally dress like a pirate every friday whether or not I am at school, and my high school has given me only minor harassment for it. My school passed a rule banning all hats from being worn inside (a common courtesy, no?) around the same time that I converted to Pastafarianism. The school did try and get me to remove my hat, but al long as I refused to remove it and shook my pocket Constitution at them they knew there was nothing they could legally do.
So I violate the dress code every Friday and the school can’t do anything. It sounds to me like this kid is doing the same thing, and should get the same treatment. I’m sorry now that the school did not suspend me, for then I couldhave brought a lawsuit and set a precedent for this case.
Continuing my missionary work here in the boondocks of Tucson….
RAmen, all.
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I shake my head at the ignorance of this school.
It is times like this that we must stand together in the name of pastafarians everywhere.
RAmen
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I’m still curious to see if the school would apply the same rules to someone using an eye patch for medical as opposed to theological grounds? surely this is the very definition of discrimination….
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load the grapeshot lads…
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Though I’m a devout Pastafarian, I can’t help but remember the book “Nothing But the Truth” by Avi.
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Schools in the US are for training people to be obediant workers who complete tasks on schedule. Self expression is not beleived in the business world to contribute to productivity,and the bottomline. Those who rockthe boat are made examples of,and if they don’t conform,excluded.
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samba Apr 9th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Schools in the US are for training people to be obediant workers who complete tasks on schedule. Self expression is not beleived in the business world to contribute to productivity,and the bottomline. Those who rockthe boat are made examples of,and if they don’t conform,excluded.”
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Umm, I hate to disagree with you, but I will anyway.
To a very minute point, our schools teach people to conform.
As every school system in the world does. It’s part of becoming acceptable in a society. Somewhat necessary where ever you live. Like it or not.
To say that American school systems are stifling free thought. (With the exception of a very few bible belt schools). Is totally ridiculous. I am not sure where you get your information, but I do know you’re wrong.
Along with your line of thought, us Americans would still be fascinated by Russia landing on the moon. If you get that one.
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We do enjoy free speech here, but for FSMs sake. Be intelligent!
Ramen
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I’m a recent convert and don’t know all the inner workings of pastafarian priesthood, but Bryan Killian should be a Saint. I hope someday Bryan Killian will be my advocate to the FSM!
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@newavedon
Welcome to CoFSM, may you be touched by His Noodly appendages. By all means hang around the site.
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Why doesn’t Brian update venganza.org anymore?
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@Peter Popoff
“To say that American school systems are stifling free thought. (With the exception of a very few bible belt schools). Is totally ridiculous. I am not sure where you get your information, but I do know you’re wrong.”
I agree with Peter. In Australia the school system on occasion places to greater emphasis on free thought rather then “the basics” in some cases. Spelling and basic maths skills have suffered as a result. We do have to conform to rules designed to allow ourselves and others the best opportunity to learn i.e. I can wear my patch at lunch but I can really see the blackboard when I wear it in class, plus it does tend to be disruptive, I guess.
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