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Flying Spaghetti Monster & Pastafarianism
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theyithianOffline
Keeping the British end up
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
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PostPosted: 24-06-2005 11:18    Post subject: Flying Spaghetti Monster & Pastafarianism Reply with quote

Quote:
OPEN LETTER TO KANSAS SCHOOL BOARD

I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design to be taught along with the theory of Evolution. 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. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith.

Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.

I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t.

You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/yithian/piratesarecool.jpg

In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.

Sincerely Yours,

Bobby Henderson, concerned citizen.

P.S. I have included an artistic drawing of Him creating a mountain, trees, and a midget. Remember, we are all His creatures.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/yithian/him.jpg

http://www.venganza.org/
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Dingo667Offline
I'm strange...but true
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Total posts: 1977
Location: Deep in the Fens, UK
Age: 46
Gender: Female
PostPosted: 24-06-2005 11:41    Post subject: Reply with quote

LOL, needless to saythat the people this is supposed to be for won't "get it".
Shame really.
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theyithianOffline
Keeping the British end up
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Total posts: 11704
Location: Vermilion Sands
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 24-06-2005 11:51    Post subject: Reply with quote

*Dingo is crushed by an mysterious avalanche of spaghetti for doubting the seriousness of The Yithian's beliefs*

Ok, but seriously, you do accept the propsed link between pirate numbers and global warming i assume?

It's all there in the graph. nonplus
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Mr_Eamcat2Offline
Spiffingly pleasant posh cat
Great Old One
Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Total posts: 154
Location: On the porch of The House of Sanity, debating whether or not to jump.
Age: 46
Gender: Male
PostPosted: 24-06-2005 12:53    Post subject: Reply with quote

Haha - I challenge anyone to prove beyond doubt that the above is not true.
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sunsplash1Offline
Fortean and Proud
cognitively purposefuly I
Joined: 09 Jan 2004
Total posts: 2074
Location: The Hills, overlooking a smallish antipodean city in South Australia
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 24-06-2005 16:05    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey! There's a null hypothesis in there somewhere... Very Happy
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AMPHIARAUS
PostPosted: 24-06-2005 17:55    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have spagetti cooking for dinner - perhaps I may see a face in the sauce on my plate when finished.
All bow before the sign of the Sacred Monsterism - roll up, £5 for a glance a the holy sauce stain.

"statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature" - made me spit me drink out. Very Happy
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andy_just_andyOffline
Great Old One
Joined: 15 Feb 2005
Total posts: 286
Location: Upper Canada
Gender: Male
PostPosted: 24-06-2005 18:49    Post subject: Reply with quote

"I was touched by His Noodly Appendage"

and now I wanna be a Pasta Pastor.
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kroboneOffline
Happy Mutant Posing As A
Great Old One
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Total posts: 383
Location: Michigan, USA
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 02-07-2005 09:13    Post subject: Reply with quote

Behold, the holy shirts! Link.

http://prodtn.cafepress.com/4/24875624_F_tn.jpg
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theyithianOffline
Keeping the British end up
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Total posts: 11704
Location: Vermilion Sands
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 02-07-2005 09:14    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very Happy Great T-shirt, although wearing one would probably mean answering lots of questions from people.
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BreezillaOffline
Gummy shark... thing.
Joined: 12 Jan 2004
Total posts: 120
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PostPosted: 03-07-2005 04:57    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Yithian wrote:
Very Happy Great T-shirt, although wearing one would probably mean answering lots of questions from people.


Just print up a bunch of pamphlets and hand them out, whether anybody asks or not. Very Happy (Hey, everyone else does...)
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Bertie_AkbarOffline
Yeti
Joined: 15 Aug 2005
Total posts: 80
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 16-08-2005 13:35    Post subject: ID - Flying Spaghetti Monsterism Reply with quote

-- sorry -- already been done Wink

Last edited by Bertie_Akbar on 16-08-2005 16:55; edited 1 time in total
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TheNumber47Offline
Village Idiot
Joined: 24 May 2004
Total posts: 46
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 16-08-2005 16:08    Post subject: Reply with quote

someone needs to find a link for the picture he included, that is the funniest part Very Happy
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ArthurASCIIOffline
Hello Playmates
Cheeky chappie
Joined: 26 Feb 2002
Total posts: 2893
Location: Letsbe Avenue
Age: 59
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PostPosted: 18-08-2005 11:37    Post subject: "Intelligent Falling" Theory Reply with quote

Here's a bit of light-hearted Evangelical ribbing:

Evangelical Scientists Refute Gravity with "Intelligent Falling" Theory

Source: The Onion

KANSAS CITY, KS—As the debate over the teaching of evolution in public schools continues, a new controversy over the science curriculum arose Monday in this embattled Midwestern state. Scientists from the Evangelical Center For Faith-Based Reasoning are now asserting that the long-held "theory of gravity" is flawed, and they have responded to it with a new theory of Intelligent Falling.

"Things fall not because they are acted upon by some gravitational force, but because a higher intelligence, 'God' if you will, is pushing them down," said Gabriel Burdett, who holds degrees in education, applied Scripture, and physics from Oral Roberts University.

Burdett added: "Gravity—which is taught to our children as a law—is founded on great gaps in understanding. The laws predict the mutual force between all bodies of mass, but they cannot explain that force. Isaac Newton himself said, 'I suspect that my theories may all depend upon a force for which philosophers have searched all of nature in vain.' Of course, he is alluding to a higher power."

Founded in 1987, the ECFR is the world's leading institution of evangelical physics, a branch of physics based on literal interpretation of the Bible.

According to the ECFR paper published simultaneously this week in the International Journal Of Science and the adolescent magazine God's Word For Teens!, there are many phenomena that cannot be explained by secular gravity alone, including such mysteries as how angels fly, how Jesus ascended into Heaven, and how Satan fell when cast out of Paradise.

The ECFR, in conjunction with the Christian Coalition and other Christian conservative action groups, is calling for public-school curriculums to give equal time to the Intelligent Falling theory. They insist they are not asking that the theory of gravity be banned from schools, but only that students be offered both sides of the issue "so they can make an informed decision."

"We just want the best possible education for Kansas' kids," Burdett said.

Proponents of Intelligent Falling assert that the different theories used by secular physicists to explain gravity are not internally consistent. Even critics of Intelligent Falling admit that Einstein's ideas about gravity are mathematically irreconcilable with quantum mechanics. This fact, Intelligent Falling proponents say, proves that gravity is a theory in crisis.

"Let's take a look at the evidence," said ECFR senior fellow Gregory Lunsden."In Matthew 15:14, Jesus says, 'And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.' He says nothing about some gravity making them fall—just that they will fall. Then, in Job 5:7, we read, 'But mankind is born to trouble, as surely as sparks fly upwards.' If gravity is pulling everything down, why do the sparks fly upwards with great surety? This clearly indicates that a conscious intelligence governs all falling."

Critics of Intelligent Falling point out that gravity is a provable law based on empirical observations of natural phenomena. Evangelical physicists, however, insist that there is no conflict between Newton's mathematics and Holy Scripture.

"Closed-minded gravitists cannot find a way to make Einstein's general relativity match up with the subatomic quantum world," said Dr. Ellen Carson, a leading Intelligent Falling expert known for her work with the Kansan Youth Ministry. "They've been trying to do it for the better part of a century now, and despite all their empirical observation and carefully compiled data, they still don't know how."

"Traditional scientists admit that they cannot explain how gravitation is supposed to work," Carson said. "What the gravity-agenda scientists need to realize is that 'gravity waves' and 'gravitons' are just secular words for 'God can do whatever He wants.'"

Some evangelical physicists propose that Intelligent Falling provides an elegant solution to the central problem of modern physics.

"Anti-falling physicists have been theorizing for decades about the 'electromagnetic force,' the 'weak nuclear force,' the 'strong nuclear force,' and so-called 'force of gravity,'" Burdett said. "And they tilt their findings toward trying to unite them into one force. But readers of the Bible have already known for millennia what this one, unified force is: His name is Jesus."

http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4133&n=2The Onion
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TheNumber47Offline
Village Idiot
Joined: 24 May 2004
Total posts: 46
Gender: Unknown
PostPosted: 18-08-2005 17:45    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
"Let's take a look at the evidence," said ECFR senior fellow Gregory Lunsden."In Matthew 15:14, Jesus says, 'And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.' He says nothing about some gravity making them fall—just that they will fall. Then, in Job 5:7, we read, 'But mankind is born to trouble, as surely as sparks fly upwards.' If gravity is pulling everything down, why do the sparks fly upwards with great surety? This clearly indicates that a conscious intelligence governs all falling."


It really bothers me whenever people try to use the bible as "evidence" to prove some completely unrelated "fact." Just about the only thing the bible "proves" is that even a rather dull, awkwardly translated book with no particularly cohernt plot can become a number one international best seller with enough hype and some good PR Twisted Evil
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ArthurASCIIOffline
Hello Playmates
Cheeky chappie
Joined: 26 Feb 2002
Total posts: 2893
Location: Letsbe Avenue
Age: 59
Gender: Male
PostPosted: 18-08-2005 20:31    Post subject: Reply with quote

TheNumber47 wrote:

It really bothers me whenever people try to use the bible as "evidence" to prove some completely unrelated "fact." Just about the only thing the bible "proves" is that even a rather dull, awkwardly translated book with no particularly cohernt plot can become a number one international best seller with enough hype and some good PR Twisted Evil


Calm down TheNumber47! The article I posted is a spoof. The Onion is a famous pseudo-news site that lampoons and satirises mainstream stuff.

Sorry if I misled you Embarassed .

I heartily agree with your comments however. They stand on their own, regardless of the authenticity of the spark that fuelled them.
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