I wrote the Open Letter sometime around January of 2005 and posted it online several months later after receiving no reply from the Kansas School Board. Within days of posting it online, the letter became an internet phenomenon, generating tens of thousands of visits each day, as well as personal responses from the school board members themselves. To date (August 2006), the venganza website has received upwards of 350 million hits, and somewhere in the proximity of 15 million unique visits. This website operates on a dedicated server and uses 600 - 800 GB/month in bandwidth. I’ve received over 15,000 emails in response to the letter.
The letter, after being blogged heavily for months, was printed in several large newspapers, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Sun Times, and many others. The newspaper articles caught the attention of book publishers, and at one point there were six publishers interested in getting the Word of the Flying Spaghetti Monster out to the public. In the end, the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was released by Random House in March of 2006.
It’s now been over a year since the FSM phenomenon started. I hope that a year from now we will be recognized as a legitimate religious organization, with all the same benefits *and tax loopholes* that the mainstream religions enjoy.
Please leave me a comment on the Letter, the FSM movement as a whole, or whatever you like. Thanks,
-Bobby
I’m doing my Piratey Part for Global Warming.
Spread the Word!
All hail the Noodly Appendage
Having a pirate-themed party this year.
Ramen
this is the truth!!!! I hail the ghetti monster
what about cd pirates i they must not count
I repent my sins and look onward to an eternal life under the watchful appendage of pirate god
I am an ambassador of teh PLanet Strange. I would like to inform you of the great joy that fills our planet. We have recently decided to adopt a religion here, as we had none before now. The leading candidate for this position was pastafarianism, and I am pleased to announce that the vote was unanimous among each and every Strangian. We are now all proud members of the Chruch of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Ramen.
It is with great joy in my heart that I announce my immediate coversion to Flying Spaghetti Monsterism.
Ramen.
You have GOT to be kidding me…seriously. The reason I ask, is because I truly wonder how you can conclude that a “Flying Spaghetti Monster” created and ordained life from before there was ANYTHING. I really would be interested to see your premises and conclusion in a semi-logical format. The other thing, is that I hope and pray that you realize your dreadful inaccuracy and pray that God would forgive you of your blasphemies. They are truly dishonoring at the least. Praying that you change,
The RkticFox
I’m fairly certain that you don’t yourself believe we were created by a flying Spaghetti Monster (considering both spaghetti and the idea of monsters are both products of man’s creativity and imagination), but were simply trying to make a point on how Intelligent design shouldn’t be taught in school.
That is why I am a little confused as to why you said, “I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them.” Unless you actually believe in the Spaghetti Monster (in which case I would have to consider you slightly loony until I’ve seen half-substantial evidence), this sentece goes completely against the point of your letter.
There are other logical flaws in the letter and your claims but I have a feeling there is only so much ground logic holds for you. I can simply pray. As a Christian, I am appauled that you would blaspheme the name of THE POWERFUL GOD by comparing Him to a Spaghetti Monster. I know, however, that His Blood can wash away all sins and that nobody can escape the Love of My Lord Jesus Christ. My Heart Weeps for you…But my Lord spills not only His tears, but His blood for you….
With Love In Christ Alone,
Brianna
Sure! Why not? Makes as much sense as the “Theory” of Evolution!
You sir, are a genius of your age
I too am a believer in spahetti-monsterism. Each day I circumnavigate the perimeter of my dwelling, dribbling rancid tomato sauce from my mouth at random moments, as Rule 35,432,906 demands! . . . or is it 35,432,905? Correct me if I’m wrong. I truly meant no blasphemy.
Good work! Thank you!
I used to point out the possible existence of the giant dragon hiding on the far side of the moon, but I never writ it up.
Upon reading this, you have my full support. I’m off to buy an eyepatch and a wooden leg. And, the Gospel, of course.
Ramen.
Hey, I’m from Germany (so please ignore language misstakes) and I’ve just stumbled across your amazing site… I’ve found some stuff about the fsm earlier on wikipedia, but I’ve only now realized that this is actually a new church:) I just wanted to assure you of my support for your new but obviously true belives, personally I used to belive that the erarth was created as the result of a competion who could make the biggest pizza in the big italian resaurant somewere in space. This belive resulted out of the fact that the earth is flat and only varies on the top side just like a pizza. I’ve eaven managed to prove scintifically by various experiments how life evolved on this big pizza we call earth (I carefully stored a pice of pizza under my sofa, gave it some time… and voila there was life) but now I’ve extensivly read and reaserched about the fsm I had to change my religion an become a fsm believer…
so thank you for opening my eys…
MfG
I am appauled at the absurd response of Christians discussing the matter of Pastafarianism. I think it is a very clever way to belittle the arguments of the Kansas School Board, and also a way to show the author(and Creator’s opinion.) Why shouldn’t the Lord be a Spaghetti Monster? More to the point, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW? Finally, where might I purchase full pirate regalia? I am getting mighty sick of Christians forcing their religion down my throat.
RAmen
I was trying to send my 16% monthly tithing, composed of spaghetti - with meatballs, of course, pizza, fish (and fish bones) and tomato juice to the cauldron of abyss but every time I tried, I ended up eating them. I hope the divine monster would not send his wrath of forks upon me.
Please have Gideon International, or a similar outfit, mass distribute the GOSPEL according to the most prolific FSM pirate prophets so that the good and not so good news would be propagated like spam email.
I (burp) thank you. RAmen.
I LOVE YOU!! tahst all I have to say, thats is the simply most beutifully written letter, and so, you now have my LOVe, of course not in teh romantic, sense, but whatever….I love you never the less.