Comment on the Open Letter

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

2522 Responses to “Comment on the Open Letter”

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9 … 127 » Show All

81 - September 21st, 2006 at - Cony Dragon Says:

Since early childhood, I have always believed in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I just couldn’t put a name to it. Imagine my relief when I realised that: not only am I not alone in my beliefs, but there’s already a group of like-minded believers, spreading the Spaghetti Monster’s good word.

My only concern is that we need to take it up a notch, to establish religious unity, to weaken opposition to the COFSM and a little economic support wouldn’t hurt either.

Let’s fire up the Spaghetti Inquisition.

Yours in inquistive mood,
Cony Dragon member of The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster - Irish Chapter.
82 - September 21st, 2006 at - Owosso.Dan Says:

The best evidence that I have observed to date that Intelligent Design is actually religion disguised as science is the fact that the only Christian literalists with an axe to grind have made any postings in support of the “science” of Intelligent Design. Honestly, my Christian God was clever enough to create a universe in which physics, chemistry, geology, and yes, biology could function in a logical and systematic way. It makes no sense, then, that this same God would go about “planting” artifacts throughout our earth in order to trick and mislead humanity. What a sick God that would be.
83 - September 21st, 2006 at - The Disembodied Head of Dick Devos Says:

Dear Bobby,

Your letter touched me and I can see that you are a Believer. I believe your should vote for me. I will let you teach whatever you want.
84 - September 21st, 2006 at - Kate Says:

I’m not against teaching evolution in the classroom, but I am against teaching lies. Most of what is taught has been proven false years ago. Look into it! There is no evidence to support anything but microevolution.

People have been duped into thinking evolution is science. Science is the observation. Evolution is an interpretation of the observation. So is intelligent design.

Check out Kent Hovind’s videos on creation and evolution. www.drdino.com
85 - September 21st, 2006 at - zach Says:

what in the f*** are u guys talking about this has got to be the dumbest peice of s*** that i have ever herd!! this isnt science its a religon, and a religon of nonsense. A spegetti monster HAHAHAHHA WTF???? r u serious!!?!? this is almost as dumb as that scientology bull****….you guys need jesus
86 - September 21st, 2006 at - Vegafallingstar Says:

Until yesterday, I labeled myself a staunch atheist and true believer in evolution.

However, while in a fit of anger at the christian professor of the “Intro to Philosophy” class that I am being forced to take, I began researching ways to refute my professor’s insistence that evolution is “in for a hard time” since so many scientists (his own son included!) are finding intelligent design difficult to dispute. In the course of my online search, I found this site.

I realize now that this was simply His Noodlyness appearing to me and waking me up to His reality. According to my “professor’s” text book (that, incidentally, he wrote himself) I had a “second-order mystical experience” yesterday when I stumbled upon the Gospel of the FSM. It was as though I had been in a deep sleep for my whole life and suddenly I am awakened. I realize now that there is only One True Noodly Master and that He is good. I am ready to spread the word of His Loving Appendage to everyone that I encounter.

I believe I will begin with my philosophy “professor” first.
87 - September 21st, 2006 at - Purple Beard (CEO Pirates International) Says:

I have unfortunatley discovered some of affiliate Pirates, of an off-shute of Davie Jones global, not wearing there eye-patches. I feel these heretics should be forced to walk the plank. I have the promise of 50 ships to go round up these swarthy sea erchins, just send word via the crow and we’ll shove off fore long.

Yo Ho Ho,
PB
CEO Pirates Int.

CC:
Jolly Roger/V.P. 3 Sheets to the Wind, Inc.
88 - September 21st, 2006 at - Victor Says:

This is the best laugh I’ve had in ages! Thanks a lot.
89 - September 21st, 2006 at - Me Says:

Betty, the pirates you are talking about are a different type of pirate. As they don’t wear the official Pirate uniform, they don’t count as real pirates.

I’m sure this is covered somewhere else.
90 - September 21st, 2006 at - Danny-love Says:

Why can’t we (you Christians) just get along (cliche? Yes, very! Hail, World Peace!)? Wasn’t the point of being a Christian to be accepting of others? Until Christians can get it together, I’m hoping I will be allowed to bask in His wonderful tomato-y presence and be touched by his noodly appendage!!

RAmen!
91 - September 21st, 2006 at - breakylegg Says:

I actually did dream of a similar monster in 2000 & later posted it on 8/05 on a msgboard/dreamthread. It was jailed in another dimension long ago, but the end of its tail caught in the door and was blown to bits that peppered the globe. Each bit was then used to influence nearby dreaming minds to ferry it to a stockpile under the guise of taking a vacation. The monster’s power increased the more bits were gathered. Free, it resembled a flying upsidedown turtleshell, tentacles spilling over the side that snatched fleeing humans, severing them in mid-air. So you have the FSM and I have The Vacation Monster.
92 - September 22nd, 2006 at - switched Says:

I used to beleve in sit-in-a-cornerism wherein I would sit in a corner in the shade and think of things, but recently I can only think of the sauceyness of the great spaghetti monster, and the way he guides my life without me even knowing with his noodley appendage. You have another belever. right now im a pirate in mind but not in body. I hope that the FSM grants me piracy and general noodleyness.
Ramen.
93 - September 22nd, 2006 at - News from NASA Says:

I have heard from very reliable sources about NASA’s new theory. They claim that the planet Mars looks a lot like a giant meat ball and therefore it must be a monument for the great FSM possibly built by intergalactic federation. Once the theory is proved there will be no more doubt that Pastafarianism is the oldest religion on Earth and has believers all over Universe. It would also prove that FSM is way more cool than Allah, Budha, Jesus and all the other holly dudes put together.

RAmen!
94 - September 22nd, 2006 at - IngyIngo Says:

I recently read a post which said that we coulnd’t seriously believe that we were created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster because the ideas of monsters and spaghetti are man made, and so they started existing after the creation of mankind.

But this leaves out one important point: There are many people who believe that everything we feel are only memories of our soul, which it gathered in former lives. This is called “Anamnesis” (or something), so why shoulnd’t it be possible, that in the process of our creation by the FSM the first ever real memory in our souls was “spaghetti”? And with the speed, in which the Gospel spreads around the world, it seems that there are tons of people who recall this noodly memories.

That makes it logical to assume that it’s all about spaghetti since the beginning.
95 - September 22nd, 2006 at - Ken Says:

Arrrrrr, It is with poisoned intellect finding me self in the quandary of dismay over thar simpley written idea of a greater power or Father that has too chosen me to be in this existence, but also, has chosen a turbulent path for me that I may not stray from for fear of His wrath upon me and my vessel. I can also call this literary Slavery.

May the Flying Spaghetti Monster grant you fair winds, following seas, and a bountiful treasure both here and in the afterlife.
96 - September 22nd, 2006 at - Elle Says:

Someone wrote in a local newpaper under the opinions that if Christians want schools to teach Intelligent Design, it would be only fair for Scientists to teach Evolution in Church. I think that is a realistic proposition–but we both know the fundamentalists won’t go for it.

I cannot understand why people are so terribly threatened by a THEORY that has no relevance to actual FAITH. Regardless whether “god” created the world or some accident occured, one’s faith need not be reduced. If it is, I would seriously question the strength of that person’s said convictions. Why do the two have to be mutually exclusive?

I think the FSM is the answer to this rift! May HE WHO HAS NOODLY APPENDAGES heal the chasm between those who “believe” and those who “deduce”.

Very creative satire.
97 - September 22nd, 2006 at - Goddess Says:

On behalf of Pirates everywhere, thanks for raising awareness of our problem. Arrrggg
98 - September 22nd, 2006 at - Ukulele Ninja Says:

I know there has been some tension between us ninjas and pirates in the past, but I would just like to make a peace offering on behalf of my ninja brethren and say ‘thank you’ for this wildly creative and valid belief system that you have founded. It is an honor to call myself a pastafarian ninja!
99 - September 22nd, 2006 at - Goddess Says:

zach
Sep 21st, 2006 at 12:05 pm
what in the f*** are u guys talking about this has got to be the dumbest peice of s*** that i have ever herd!! this isnt science its a religon, and a religon of nonsense. A spegetti monster HAHAHAHHA WTF???? r u serious!!?!? this is almost as dumb as that scientology bull****â€¦.you guys need jesus

I think that this guy needs to meet an able english professor.
100 - September 23rd, 2006 at - Cyberatog Says:

Ukulele Ninja- I hope this is the beginning of a strong alliance, and may we train Ninja Pirates in the future!
Bansayarr!
I strongly hope we become a real established religion, and with some more stuff (Sargoth-Kuul, the avatar of FSM someone spoke of! PLUSHIES!)
If I ever get famous, I will spend my money on the homeless and a well-deserved temple to us all here in Sweden. RAmen!

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9 … 127 » Show All

About Subpages

Back to About

Contribute

The Church of the FSM is looking for content. Details here

RSS Feeds

All articles
Hate-mail

Support the Cause

The Church is funded entirely by your purchases of FSM merchandise. Thank you for your support.

Purchase the Gospel

An elaborate spoof on Intelligent Design, The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is neither too elaborate nor too spoofy to succeed in nailing the fallacies of ID. It's even wackier than Jonathan Swift's suggestion that the Irish eat their children as a way to keep them from being a burden, and it may offend just as many people, but Henderson, described elsewhere as a 25-year-old "out-of-work physics major," puts satire to the same serious use that Swift did. Oh, yes, it is very funny. -- Scientific American