Posted on 08/24/2005 6:51:49 AM PDT by Quick1
Topeka — From Darwin to intelligent design to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
The debate over teaching evolution in Kansas public schools has caught the attention of a cross-country Internet community of satirists.
In the past few weeks, hundreds of followers of the supreme Flying Spaghetti Monster have swamped state education officials with urgent e-mails.
They argue that since the conservative majority of the State Board of Education has blessed classroom science standards at the behest of intelligent design supporters, which criticize evolution, they want the gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster taught.
“I’m sure you realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory,” writes Bobby Henderson, a Corvallis, Ore., resident whose Web site, www.venganza.org, is part FSM tribute and part job search. Karl Gehring/Journal-World Illustration
Karl Gehring/Journal-World Illustration
“It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster,” he wrote to the education board.
Henderson did not return a telephone call for comment. He says in his letter that it is disrespectful to teach about the FSM without wearing “full pirate regalia.”
Board member Bill Wagnon, a Democrat, whose district includes Lawrence, said he has received more than 500 e-mails from supporters of FSM.
“Clearly, these are just supreme satirists. What they are doing is pointing out that there is no more sense to intelligent design than there is to a Flying Spaghetti Monster,” Wagnon said.
Intelligent design posits that some aspects of biology are so complex, they point toward an intelligent creator.
ID proponents helped shepherd a report and hearings that have resulted in science standards that criticize evolution and have put Kansas in the middle of international attention on the subject.
John Calvert, of Lake Quivira, the lawyer who was instrumental in writing the science standards that criticize evolution, said he had seen the FSM e-mails, and was not impressed.
“You can only use that misinformation so long,” Calvert said. Calvert said the science standards do not promote intelligent design, but show that evolution has its critics.
Wagnon and the three other board members who support evolution have written Henderson back, saying they appreciated the comic relief but that they were saddened that the science standards were being changed to criticize evolution.
Pastafarians Unite!
Have you considered Corrective Phrenology?
Please define Pirates.
If I used Napster and downloaded 2000 or so files, shouldn't I be considered a pirate?
Long ago no divisions existed between humans, animals and spirits. All things of the earth, sky, and, water were connected and all beings could pass freely between them. The Raven was a trickster full of supernatural power. He stole the sun from his grandfather Nasshahkeeyalhl and made the moon and stars from it. The Raven created lakes, rivers and filled the lands with trees. He divided night and day, then pulled the tides into a rhythm. He filled the streams with fresh water, scattered the eggs of salmon and trout, and placed animals in the forests. The first human was hiding in a giant clamshell and Raven released them onto the beaches and gave humans fire. Raven disappeared and took with him the power of the spirit world to communicate and connect with humans.
Let me guess ... The next stunt you guys are going to try is nailing 95 Recipes to the kitchen door.
*** BZZZZZZZTTTT!!! ***
Sorry; you don't get to introduce a term that makes your claim true by definition. Try again.
I think in this case we are talking about the Blackbeards of the world. ;)
I thought the Flying Spaghetti Monster was designed by space aliens?
I loved the full pirate regalia comment.
Ahem; it's: "Thou shalt have no main course before Him, and thou shalt not anoint thy pasta with Parmesan from a can, nor sauce from a jar."
I beg your pardon. Followers of Rotini have had our reformation. We believe in magnets. Except of course the one color sects. Written recipes are stricty for converts and the mentally challenged.
And we denounce the terrorist aspect of the FSMers. See if they do!
DK
Look at the origins of FSM. Attacking a grad student? Why would anyone attach monster to their diety. Clearly a noodle of terror. And they are demanding to be taught in our schools. Have you been following the Swedish controversy? Meatballs!
There can be only one true noodle. All nonbelievers will suffer in white sauce.
DK
You're not one of those gnocchics, are you?
You're not one of those gnocchics, are you?<<
Potatos and flour!!!
French!!!
You are tempting fate! The last time the wrath of Rotini was evoked a whole restaurant was covered in Angel Hair pasta. It wasn't pretty. Kind of tasty though.
DK
On the negative side, they felt the need to point out that the pro-evolution board member is a Democrat. Are there any pro-Evolution Republicans on the Kansas school board, or does the media simply choose to ignore them?
Eggsactley.
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