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

2484 Responses to “Comment on the Open Letter”

Pages: « 1 … 95 96 97 98 [99] 100 101 102 103 … 125 » Show All

1961 - January 8th, 2008 at - Richard Says:

I am not saying that all of you mock religeons. My statement is that whoever chooses to belive his own religeon should be respected for it. Its individuals like Jon who have no respect other peoples beliefs and what they hold sacred. Bret & Pluto, I admire you both for being considerate! Your statements are undemeaning and fair. In fact I agree with you on certain statements.

Pluto, additionall, I believe that there is a link between evolution and the bibles statements on creation after an extensive study. Interested?

Theo, If you would notice the line,”Even if taught in schools, it should be up to the children or parents to choose between both”. According to the bible, we have to guide our children. It should be decision to accept or not accept when they come to the age of accountability.

Nightmare, We dont force it down your throats. Jehovas witnesses and mormons do! its your choice. It is for us to just tell you what he did for you. Its your choice to accep or reject it.

Jon, Grow up! he he he

Bret, I understand what you are standing up for. Many people would support you in this cause. If I was not a Christian, I probably would have too.

Looking forward to your replies on this.
1962 - January 8th, 2008 at - Richard Says:

Also Bret, I am only 27. I am not from the 1950s… He he he
1963 - January 8th, 2008 at - Richard Says:

Can any of you tell me what Christianity is based on?
1964 - January 8th, 2008 at - Luke Miller Says:

I’ve been meaning to look at FSM for a long time now and have found this to be enlightening. I have no problem with people’s faith and their willingness to share it with others. What I have a problem with is people pushing their faith on others. The FSM effectively combats that attitude that only christians are right. The final thing I would like to point out is that after reading both the hate mail and the evidence mail, I find that we’re all on the same side trying to explain how we got here and help eachother obtain a sense of community. We just reach some really strange conlclusions sometimes and the results of persuing those conclusions can have devistating results. My own experiences around the world has shown that truth to me and this site does a great job as a sounding board for logic and just basically blowing off steam.
1965 - January 8th, 2008 at - Jennyanydots Says:

@ Richard - All sorts of different stories taken from the mythologies of a number of different ancient civilisations, including Bronze Age Middle Eastern cults, Egyptian, Babylonian, Iron Age ‘Celtic’ beliefs and Roman Mithraism, to name just a few. It’s a bit of a magpie creation.
1966 - January 8th, 2008 at - Pluto Says:

@ Richard- “Can any of you tell me what Christianity is based on?”
Is it a really bad joke?
“12 Jews a Rabbi and a hooker walk into a temple…”
.
Actually is because a Hebrew cult wanted to convert people but when they presented their ideas to the Greeks, they didn’t want to give up pork or have the foreskins cut off or wait for a reward after death. So this little cult changed the rules to get converts. By the by Christ is Greek for Messiah, and Jesus is not a Hebrew name. So when you say prayers you say them to the wrong guy.
1967 - January 8th, 2008 at - Perna de Pau Says:

@Richard: we respect anybody who do not ridicule him/herself. We do not however respect “beliefs” and you should not ask us to do so. Otherwise you should respect everybody else’s beliefs and I am sure that you are not prepared to accept that any other faith is as good as your own.
1968 - January 8th, 2008 at - James D Says:

Bobby, thank you for opening our eyes to the glory of his noodly goodness, i heard about this religion for the first time late 2007 and have been a follower since, i would like to personally thank you (assuming of course you read the comments) for being the first emmisary for the noodly one
thanks be to you man
Ramen
also good call on the ID and about it being tought in science classes
1969 - January 8th, 2008 at - Bret Says:

Richard,

I just wanted to point out that it’s nice to talk to a Christian who is both respectful of others and can type in complete sentences. I was christian up until I would say 3 months ago. I now consider myself agnostic. I have a hard time swallowing Jesus did all the things he is reported to do with the only evidence being: cause I said so and wrote it down 25 years later. Jesus was a real historical man. Good luck proving he cured the blind and sick and rose from the dead.
1970 - January 8th, 2008 at - Bret Says:

Richard,

You may not know, but this is the type of “Christian usually found on these boards. I hope it makes you feel sickened.

“How can you idiots belive this stupid religion? You idiot taoist won’t believe Christianity because of eternal judgement, but you’ll believe a bunch of crackheads that think a stupid ball of spaghetti with meatballs created the universe? If that’s your logic on this subject, you belong with these moronic crackheads. Oh and by the way I ate your faggot god for lunch, he has tiny balls.
-nick”
1971 - January 8th, 2008 at - Theo Says:

Theo, If you would notice the line,”Even if taught in schools, it should be up to the children or parents to choose between both”. According to the bible, we have to guide our children. It should be decision to accept or not accept when they come to the age of accountability.
.
Look, the only reason someone (or at least 90% of the people) has a religion, is becasue his parents have that religion.
What one believes is for 90% demographically and geographically set.
But sure, YOU realy made a dicision when you came to the age of accountability.
I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying you should leave the option open that what you think you’ve chosen to believe, is just something you’ve learned to believe.
1972 - January 9th, 2008 at - Bryan Says:

I hope you see this Mr. Bobby Henderson.

I think what you are doing is excellent. I completely agree with you that christianity should not be accepted as a science, and neither should any other religion. We are not taught in schools to fill in the holes of what we do not know with belief, unless that belief is somewhat supported by scientific evidence. The museum of intelligent design is a joke, along with the idea of religion being taught as a science. People can beleive what they want to believe, but science by definition can not be religion, and religion by definition can not be science.
1973 - January 9th, 2008 at - Richard Says:

@ Theo, Your argument would be probably right in 98% of the cases. But I was born into a different Religion and was brought up in it as were my parents. I made my choice at sixteen. I have not seen my father after that due to the choice I made. I still think it’s the best choice I made.

@ Bret, My apologies for Nick. On reading that I highly doubt if he is a real Christian but I cannot pass judgement on others. I went through the hate mail section and was appalled to find such language, references and descriptions from “Christians”.

@ Jennyanydots, if you were to research on the timelines, you would find that archaeological and documented evidence that certain “Myths” that are told by the ancient civilisations did happen and well before their times. Many a time, it has been proven by such evidence that the bible is indeed true.

@ Pluto, Your choice! But that was an extreme description. Jesus is the English translation and Iesous the Greek translation for the Hebrew name Joshua (Which means Jehovah is Salvation). Jesus was actually referred to as Joshua in Hebrew. Also Christ is a title not his name.

@ Luke Miller, you are correct in a way. Some people are put off by this “Holier than thou” attitude that some professing Christians have. Don’t be. Our duty is to just tell you what has been done for you and it is for you to choose to accept it or not.

@ Pernau De Pau, You are correct when you say that I am not prepared to accept that any other faith is as good as my own. I am sure that any of us are not prepared to do so. Hey if you are Buddhist, Hindu, Moslem Pastafarian or Christian, It’s your faith that takes precedence is it not? I do respect others beliefs. You don’t see me saying the same things as Nick in Bret’s posting!

@ Bret again. Sincerely hoping that you would come back regardless of the time.
1974 - January 9th, 2008 at - Richard Says:

@ All hate mail writers! Poor show as Christians! When the Lord Jesus said “Go into all the world and preach the scriptures” he did not mean for you to do it this way. Read and learn what the Bible has to say before you try to convince others. The Lord died for all of us. Remember that you have to account for everything you say and do as Christians. It is worse for you to say such stuff being a Christian.
1975 - January 9th, 2008 at - Pluto Says:

@Richard – So what was his last name? I’m assuming it wasn’t “Mr of Nazareth” also you have to admit I’m right about the origins of Christianity. Up until then it was a Jewish cult. And as you pointed out, people are praying to the wrong guy when they pray to Jesus. You could argue it’s not important as long as you mean the right guy. But in that case worshiping Satan is fine as long as you meant to say god.
1976 - January 9th, 2008 at - Pluto Says:

PS. Richard you said “Pluto, additionall, I believe that there is a link between evolution and the bibles statements on creation after an extensive study. Interested?”
Yes I would like to hear this. I think I can come across as an arse hole at times by Christians who post here. But it is more a case of them not being able to put a point across or stand up to an argument so I end up repeating my self when the circle back to an already disproved point.
As you seem to be reasonably intelligent (certainly you not going for “cos it says so in the bible” argument, I will be interested in what you have to say.
I’m sure you realise I’m not an atheist because I got up one morning and said “you know what would be fun?” I came to various conclusions about what was written in a book and what I observed in the world.
I would be interested at what makes you believe.
1977 - January 9th, 2008 at - Perna de Pau Says:

@Richard - you are wrong. Contrary to what you think I am sure that many here would accept that “our” faith is as good as any other. Only religious people value one religion (their own) higher than any other. For most of us Christianity, Islam, Santa Claus or the Flying Spaghetti Monster are equally acceptable (and should be equally accepted).
.
Our point is that religion has no place in the classroom. But, if one religion gets there, then all other religions, including Pastafarianism, should also be given an equal opportunity. There is no way to escape this logic.
1978 - January 10th, 2008 at - Seeker Says:

Dear Bobby.

Whilst I’am ready to embrace the majesty of Pastafarianism, I’am curious to know what is in it for me ?

Will there be Virgins waiting for me when I reach paradise, If so how many ?

How much do you charge for redemption ? I have done many naughty things and need to clean up my record before being judged by a higher power.

Lastly, I’am in possesion of an authentic FSM religious relic and would be willing to exchange it for a mid size General Motors product or its equivalent. The relic is roughly the size of a table napkin and clearly bears the image of spaghetti and its accompanying red sauce.

Looking foward to your offer.

PS: I am more than willing to set up an FSM martyrs brigade if it will help my children and I gain access to heaven and the virgins.
1979 - January 11th, 2008 at - tyler Says:

Thank You. I thought i was lost out of religion, never again to trust my beliefs in anything, until i discovered Pastafarism. I thank you for showing me the light.
1980 - January 11th, 2008 at - FSM FOREVER!!!! Says:

oooo A NEW COMER!!! THERE IS A STRIPER FACTORY AND BEER VALCANO IN OUR HEAVEN (cap locks on by accident)
As long as on the day of your accension you must eat his noodly appendage’s Favorite meal, a plate of spaghetti! and your favorite keg of rum! (rum is optional but recommended)

Pages: « 1 … 95 96 97 98 [99] 100 101 102 103 … 125 » 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