GOD SPEAKS the Pastafarian Quatrains

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

GOD SPEAKS the Pastafarian Quatrains GOD SPEAKS! THE PASTAFARIAN QUATRAINS A Scholarly Analysis and Critique of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Jon Smith FOR MORE STUFF: www.lulu.com/stress Copyright Statement GOD SPEAKS! The Pastafarian Quatrains A Scholarly Analysis and Critique of the Flying Spaghetti Monster ISBN: 978-0-615-26319-9 © 2008, Jonathan C. Smith, PhD All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author. i Basic Information: Nice, insane cosmic legend? Concise elegance in minds? Angelic omniscience ends HINT: Confirmation Bias Meaningless Coincidence ii iii CONTENTS 1: In the Beginning 1 2: The Flying Spaghetti Monster 5 3: Anagrams and Anagramic Archeology 11 4: Spaghettigrams 27 5: The Pastafarian Quatrains: A Primer 31 THE PASTAFARIAN QUATRAINS 41 The Angel and the Serpent 43 The Holy Singers 44 The Empty Message 45 The Two Temptations 46 The Three-Step Path 49 Piglet’s Torment 51 Piglet’s Song 52 Honest Star 53 APPENDIX: The Original Spaghetti Pool 55 How to be a Spaghettigram Psychic 55 References 173 iv - 1 - CHAPTER 1 In the Beginning In the beginning was the word. And the word was with God. And the word was God. –John 1:1 (Genesis 1:1) The first words of the Bible speak of creation. They are words that have inspired humanity for thousands of years. But what do they mean? Let me share with you an amazing journey of words, a work of scholarship that led me to revelations that must be viewed as coming directly from God. Furthermore, I offer undisputable proof that this is so. The Game of Anagrams My journey began with a children’s game, anagrams. An anagram involves rearranging the letters in a word and words in a phrase. “Elvis” can be rearranged into the anagram “Lives.” “Lemon” - 2 - becomes “Melon.” “Snooze alarms” = “Alas! No more Z’s.” One day I decided to take the first six words of the Biblical creation story and, just for fun, look for anagrams. Generally, for a phrase of five or six words, any good computer anagram generator (I use Anagram Genius) can find thousands of anagrams. Astonishingly, the very first anagram that emerged for “In the beginning was the word” was: “Then God threw in a big new sin.” Shocked and hoping for further edification, I searched for more anagrams, and found the equally disconcerting recombination: "Intertwined benign hogwash." The Flying Spaghetti Monster I was profoundly troubled. It was time to take a new look at the meaning of life and God’s message for us all. Where to begin? Should I start with the world’s oldest religion? The world’s biggest religion? The - 3 - world’s richest religion? The world’s most peaceful religion? The noisiest religion? After much deliberation, the answer came to me in a flash. When considering deep questions about origins, I must start fresh and begin with one of the world’s youngest religions, the one most invested in its theory of creation. Here there is only one candidate, one for which over 70 percent of its scriptural writing is about its view of creation. The religion: Pastafarianism. Its creation theory: the universe was created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The insights of this volume are a chronicle of my remarkable journey. ------------------ Discussion of anagrams adapted from The Anagram Dictionary by Michael Curl (1996) and Words at Play by O.V. Michaelsen (1998) . - 4 - - 5 - CHAPTER 2 The Flying Spaghetti Monster The world gave birth to a new religion in June, 2005. In a small town in Oregon, Bobby Henderson (age 24) had enough. Frustrated with the Kansas Board of Education’s debate on teaching supernatural theories of intelligent design (such as Biblical 6- day creation story) side-by-side with Darwin’s theory of natural selection, he wrote an open letter formally requesting that his Deity, the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), be given equal time. Here is his request: 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 - 6 - evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him. (www.venganza.com) Bobby backed his request with the threat of legal action. Three members of the Board replied and strongly sympathized with his position (they were the dissenting votes in the debate). A supporter of the Biblical Creation Theory warned “It is a serious offense to mock God.” Bobby’s religion, “Flying Spaghetti Monsterism,” or “Pastafarianism,” caught on. His website, venganza.org, received millions of hits. Many serious articles appeared in such respected publications as Wired News, the New York Times, and Scientific American. Today Pastafarianism boasts of “millions, if not thousands of devout worshipers.” (vanganza.org) Beliefs The initial beliefs of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism were sketchy. An invisible and undetectable Flying - 7 - Spaghetti Monster created the universe, starting with a mountain, trees, and “midget” (original spelling). Evidence pointing toward Darwin’s theory was intentionally planted by the FSM to distract and test us. Bobby has enunciated a few additional beliefs and practices: 1. The FSM guides human affairs with his “Noodly Appendage.” 2. Prayers to the FMS end with “Ramen” rather than “Amen.” 3. Heaven has a stripper factor and a beer volcano. 4. Every Friday is a religious holiday. 5. FSM teachers must be “baptized” by “holy meat sauce.” 6. It is disrespectful to teach of the FSM without wearing His chosen outfit, full pirate regalia. 7. It is polite to end conversations with the words “May you be touched by his noodly appendage.” Evidence The rise of Pastafarianism may be due in part to the impressive quantity of empirical support that has - 8 - accumulated. Henderson has astutely noted that “global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1880s.” As the number of pirates have declined, disasters have increased. This fact has yet to be challenged by any credible scientist, theologian, or pirate. Furthermore, Henderson has wagered that “the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster can produce more academic endorsements for our theory than Intelligent Design proponents can for theirs.” (Venganza.org, 2007) Dozens of university scholars have already written support for his vision that the universe was created by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Philosophers have argued: “Prove that it didn’t happen!” Theologians provided logical evidence. (“The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a being with every perfection. Existence is a perfection. Therefore, the Flying Spaghetti Monster exists.”) Scientists have pointed out that there is as much tangible evidence for the FSM as there is for creationism and ID. Biologists - 9 - have noted the uncanny visual similarities between spaghetti and the convoluted wrinkles of the human brain (and squirming colonies of bacteria). Archeologists have pointed to photographs of ancient rock structures (like the many-armed dancing goddess Shiva) resembling noodles. And of course one popular understanding of the entire universe is string (“noodle?”) theory. Hundreds have posted testimonial photos suggestive of the FSM’s noodly handiwork. Even world-famous atheist Richard Dawkins (2006) has enthusiastically announced his FSM epiphany in The God Delusion: “. you just know it’s true. “ (p.52). The Creative Legacy Flying Spaghetti Monsterism has inspired a rich artistic tradition (mostly buttons, posters, and hats) as can be seen on Bobby’s website. Initial revelations are supplemented by The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Henderson, 2006), a must read for serious students of the paranormal or supernatural. - 10 - - 11 - CHAPTER 3 ANAGRAMS AND ANAGRAMIC ARCHEOLOGY In this essay I attempt a scholarly analysis and critique of the claims and methods of Pastafarian literature, and suggest how application of an ancient tool of divination, anagram analysis, can deepen our understanding of the message of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM). Please note that I missed the deadline for the 2007 annual conference of the American Academy of Religion in San Diego (Dotinga, 2007), a major scholarly event at which four similar analyses of the FSM were presented. For additional scholarly considerations of the role of monsters and Monsterism in transgressing the boundaries between science and religion, see Horn and Johnson ( 2007). The present essay can be seen as my official response to Horn and Johnson’s important scholarship. Unfortunately, a deeper analysis reveals that Pastafarianism, and its Gospel, leave many questions - 12 - unanswered. Why meatballs? Why meat sauce? Why no consideration of vegetarianism? Perhaps recognizing these gaps, Henderson has inspired others to create and publish their own FSM stories, thoughtful essays (through a contest in his Enlightenment Institute), and even instructions for knitting FSM hats. These products can be readily found on the internet. Notably former British schoolteacher, Rob Ives, has even marketed an animated paper model of the FSM through his whimsical paper animation store, remarkably named the “Flying Pig Shop” (Ives, 2008). As proof of his generosity Bobby has included twelve FSM pieces in his Gospel, respectfully acknowledging author ownership of their FSM creations. Bobby has had no problem with break-away sects, including the Piratens, Ninjaists, Moominists and Linguinists, the First United Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Mystical Order of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the Moomon Church of His Spaghettiness, and the Orthodox Monsterist Church (Foyston, 2005). Perhaps the most widely reported are - 13 - the Demurist Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Church of SPAM (Spaghetti and Pulsar Activating Meatballs).
Recommended publications
  • The God Delusion Debate . Discussion Guide
    The God Delusion Debate . Discussion Guide . 1 THE GOD DELUSION DEBATE A DISCUSSION GUIDE compiled by Bill Wortman We take ideas seriously THE PARTICIPANTS Richard Dawkins, FRS at the time of this debate held the posi- tion of Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. He did his doctorate at Oxford under Nobel Prize winning zoologist, Niko Tinbergen. He is the author of nine books, some of which are !e Sel"sh Gene (1976, 2nd edition 1989), !e Blind Watchmaker (1986), !e God Delu- sion (2006), and most recently !e Greatest Show on Earth (2009). Dawkins is an atheist. John Lennox is a Reader in Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green College, University of Oxford. He holds doctorates from Oxford (D. Phil.), Cambridge (Ph.D.), and the University of Wales (D.Sc.) and an MA in Bioethics from the University of Surrey. In addition to authoring over seventy peer reviewed papers in pure mathematics, and co-authoring two research monographs for Ox- ford University Press, Dr. Lennox is the author of God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? (2007). Lennox is a Christian. Larry A. Taunton is founder and Executive Director of Fixed Point Foundation and Latimer House. Like Fixed Point itself, Larry specializes in addressing issues of faith and culture. A published author, he is the recipient of numerous awards and research grants. He is Executive Producer of the !lms “Science and the God Ques- tion” (2007), “"e God Delusion Debate” (2007), “God on Trial” (2008), “Has Science Buried God?” (2008), “Can Atheism Save Eu- rope?” (2009), and “Is God Great?” (2009).
    [Show full text]
  • Atheism AO2 Handout Part 1
    Philosophy Of Religion / Atheism AO2 Atheism AO2 Handout Part 1 New Atheism successfully shows the incompatibility of science and religion. Evaluate this view. 1. New Atheists seem to argue that scientific theories are based only on evidence, whilst religion runs away from evidence. The claim is that atheism is rational and scientific while religion is irrational and superstitious. Faith is not an element of science since evidence for a correct conviction compels us to accept its truth. As Dawkins says “Faith is a state of mind that leads people to believe something – it doesn’t matter what – in the total absence of supporting evidence. If there were good supporting evidence, then faith would be superfluous…” However, Alister McGrath points out that such a view “fails to make the critical distinction between the ‘total absence of supporting evidence’ and the ‘absence of totally supporting evidence’.” It is true that some facts about the world have been proved (e.g. the chemical formula for water) but the bigger scientific questions such as is there a Grand Unified Theory that explains everything rely on answers based on the best evidence available but they are not certainties. In future years they may well change as new evidence is considered. As Gauch concluded “Science rests on faith”. Dawkins in his book “The God Delusion” does argue that the existence of God is a testable hypothesis and concludes that the hypothesis is falsifiable. Therefore the hypothesis is open to the scientific method. So here is a New Atheist proponent arguing that that the existence of God is a meaningful hypothesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianity, Islam & Atheism
    Christianity, Islam & Atheism Reflections on Religion, Society & Politics Michael Cooke 2 Christianity, Islam & Atheism About the author Michael Colin Cooke is a retired public servant and trade union activist who has a lifelong interest in South Asian history, politics and culture. He has served as an election monitor in Sri Lanka. Michael is the author of The Lionel Bopage Story: Rebellion, Repression and the Struggle for Justice in Sri Lanka (2011). He has also penned when the occasion demanded a number of articles and film reviews. He lives in Melbourne. Published 2014 ISBN 978-1-876646-15-8 Resistance Books: resistancebooks.com Contents 1.Genesis............................................................................................5 2.The Evolution of a Young Atheist .............................................13 India...................................................................................................................... 13 Living in the ’70s down under.............................................................................. 16 Religious fundamentalism rears its head............................................................. 20 3.Christianity: An Atheist’s Homily ................................................21 Introduction – the paradox that is Christianity................................................... 21 The argument....................................................................................................... 23 It ain’t necessarily so: Part 1................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Contextual Examination of Three Historical Stages of Atheism and the Legality of an American Freedom from Religion
    ABSTRACT Rejecting the Definitive: A Contextual Examination of Three Historical Stages of Atheism and the Legality of an American Freedom from Religion Ethan Gjerset Quillen, B.A., M.A., M.A. Mentor: T. Michael Parrish, Ph.D. The trouble with “definitions” is they leave no room for evolution. When a word is concretely defined, it is done so in a particular time and place. Contextual interpretations permit a better understanding of certain heavy words; Atheism as a prime example. In the post-modern world Atheism has become more accepted and popular, especially as a reaction to global terrorism. However, the current definition of Atheism is terribly inaccurate. It cannot be stated properly that pagan Atheism is the same as New Atheism. By interpreting the Atheisms from four stages in the term‟s history a clearer picture of its meaning will come out, hopefully alleviating the stereotypical biases weighed upon it. In the interpretation of the Atheisms from Pagan Antiquity, the Enlightenment, the New Atheist Movement, and the American Judicial and Civil Religious system, a defense of the theory of elastic contextual interpretations, rather than concrete definitions, shall be made. Rejecting the Definitive: A Contextual Examination of Three Historical Stages of Atheism and the Legality of an American Freedom from Religion by Ethan Gjerset Quillen, B.A., M.A. A Thesis Approved by the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies ___________________________________ Robyn L. Driskell, Ph.D., Interim Chairperson Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Approved by the Thesis Committee ___________________________________ T.
    [Show full text]
  • Round 18 - Tossups
    NSC 2019 - Round 18 - Tossups 1. The only two breeds of these animals that have woolly coats are the Hungarian Mangalica ("man-gahl-EE-tsa"), and the extinct Lincolnshire Curly breed. Fringe scientist Eugene McCarthy posits ​ that humans evolved from a chimp interbreeding with one of these animals, whose bladders were once used to store paint and to make rugby balls. One of these animals was detained along with the Chicago Seven after (*) Yippies nominated it for President at the 1968 DNC. A pungent odor found in this animal's ​ testes is synthesized by truffles, so these animals are often used to hunt for them. Zhu Bajie resembles this animal in the novel Journey to the West. Foods made from this animal include rinds and carnitas. For 10 points, ​ ​ ​ ​ name these animals often raised in sties. ANSWER: pigs [accept boars or swine or hogs or Sus; accept domestic pigs; accept Pigasus the Immortal] ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ <Jose, Other - Other Academic and General Knowledge> 2. British explorer Alexander Burnes was killed by a mob in this country's capital, supposedly for his womanizing. In this country, Malalai legendarily rallied troops at the Battle of Maiwand against a foreign army. Dr. William Brydon was the only person to survive the retreat of Elphinstone's army during a war where Shah Shuja was temporarily placed on the throne of this country. The modern founder of this country was a former commander under Nader Shah named (*) Ahmad Shah Durrani. This ​ country was separated from British holdings by the Durand line, which separated its majority Pashtun population from the British-controlled city of Peshawar.
    [Show full text]
  • Gardner on Exorcisms • Creationism and 'Rare Earth' • When Scientific Evidence Is the Enemy
    GARDNER ON EXORCISMS • CREATIONISM AND 'RARE EARTH' • WHEN SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IS THE ENEMY THE MAGAZINE FOR SCIENCE AND REASON Volume 25, No. 6 • November/December 2001 THE COMMITTEE FOR THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF CLAIMS OF THE PARANORMAL AT THE CENTER FOR INQUIRY-INTERNATIONAL (ADJACENT TO THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO) • AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Paul Kurtz, Chairman; professor emeritus of philosophy. State University of New York at Buffalo Barry Karr, Executive Director Joe Nickell, Research Fellow Massimo Polidoro, Research Fellow Richard Wiseman, Research Fellow Lee Nisbet, Special Projects Director FELLOWS James E. Alcock,* psychologist. York Univ., Susan Haack, Cooper Senior Scholar in Arts Loren Pankratz, psychologist. Oregon Health Toronto and Sciences, prof, of philosophy. University Sciences Univ. Jerry Andrus, magician and inventor, Albany, of Miami John Paulos, mathematician. Temple Univ. Oregon C. E. M. Hansel, psychologist. Univ. of Wales Steven Pinker, cognitive scientist. MIT Marcia Angell, M.D.. former editor-in-chief, Al Hibbs, scientist. Jet Propulsion Laboratory Massimo Polidoro, science writer, author, New England Journal of Medicine Douglas Hofstadter, professor of human under­ executive director CICAP, Italy Robert A. Baker, psychologist. Univ. of standing and cognitive science, Indiana Univ. Milton Rosenberg, psychologist, Univ. of Kentucky Gerald Holton, Mallinckrodt Professor of Chicago Stephen Barrett M.D., psychiatrist, author, Physics and professor of history of science. Wallace Sampson, M.D., clinical professor of consumer advocate, Allentown, Pa. Harvard Univ. Barry Beyerstein,* biopsychologist. Simon Ray Hyman,* psychologist. Univ. of Oregon medicine, Stanford Univ., editor. Scientific Fraser Univ.. Vancouver, B.C., Canada Leon Jaroff, sciences editor emeritus, Time Review of Alternative Medicine Irving Biederman, psychologist Univ.
    [Show full text]
  • Readers R / Mayor and Council Hold Regular Session How Belmar
    Library. Public X Christmas Greetings and Cheer to all “Advertiser” Readers ♦ BOTH +♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Vol. XXIE.—Whole No. 1901 BELMAR, N. J., FRIDAY DECEMBER 24, 1915. Single Copy Three Cents COLLECTING THE TAXES r Mayor and Council Under the amendment of the law ' Week’s Activities passed by the legislature last winter, Hold Regular SessionMonday was the last day on which | at Avon-by-the-Sea this year’s taxes could be paid with­ A ATTENTION IS CALLED TO DAN­ out the imposition of a fee of from EVENTS WHICH HAVE INTER­ GEROUS STREET JUNCTION seven to eight per cent., at the dis­ cretion of the collector. Many dilin- ESTED PEOPLE OF THE BORO / quents who had waited the limit Mrs. Davis Problem is Threshed paid on Monday, Collector Abram Sewer and Water Ordinances Passed Over Again—Paul T. Zizinia Files Borton receiving on that day about by Council—Other Matters of Petition. $14,000. On Monday and Tuesday News in the Borough. he collected $26,400. BELMAR CHURCHES Among the communications re­ Mr. Borton reports that taxes are DOINGS IN AVON COUNCIL ceived at the meeting of the mayor being paid very well this year and anti council and placed on file Tues­ of a total of $114,377 which is on the Mayor and Council Meet and Trans­ day night was one from the commis­ 1915 duplicate*he had received up act Important Business. sion of Motor Vehicles calling atten­ to Wednesday morning more than $75,000. tion to the dangei-ous conditions of The Borough Fathers appeared on the street junction on the Belmar Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • U Ottawa L'universite Canadienne Canada's University FACULTE DES ETUDES SUPERIEURES 1^=1 FACULTY of GRADUATE and ET POSTOCTORALES U Ottawa POSDOCTORAL STUDIES
    nm u Ottawa L'Universite canadienne Canada's university FACULTE DES ETUDES SUPERIEURES 1^=1 FACULTY OF GRADUATE AND ET POSTOCTORALES U Ottawa POSDOCTORAL STUDIES L'Universitc canadienne Canada's university Steven Tomlins M.A. (Religious Studies) _._„„__„„„._ Department of Religious Studies In Science we Trust: Dissecting the Chimera of New Atheism TITRE DE LA THESE / TITLE OF THESIS Lori Beaman Peter Beyer Anne Vallely Gary W. Slater Le Doyen de la Faculte des etudes superieures et postdoctorales / Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies IN SCIENCE WE TRUST: DISSECTING THE CHIMERA OF NEW ATHEISM Steven Tomlins Student Number: 5345726 Degree sought: Master of Arts, Religious Studies University of Ottawa Thesis Director: Lori G. Beaman © Steven Tomlins, Ottawa, Canada, 2010 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-73876-4 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-73876-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par Nnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciaies ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Beyond the Flying Spaghetti Monster
    1 Beyond the Flying Spaghetti Monster; finding a meta-ethic to save the human species (1200 wds., File: PPRI Spaghetti….4_6_17) William A. McConochie, Ph.D. Political Psychology Research, Inc. A recent article in the Atlantic magazine (Nov. 2016, p.23) presents a brief review of a spoof religion based on a fanciful deity, the "Flying Spaghetti Monster", that caught on especially in Europe. While a spoof in some respects, the followers point out that nothing is inherently sacred and that sacredness is simply whatever a group of people choose to deem sacred. Religion has traditionally been centered on belief in a powerful supernatural being which is turned to by believers for answers to difficult questions about the purpose of life and for support and good fortune in major endeavors, such as war. However, Christianity has been on the wane for decades in the U.S. and Europe (religionnews.com/2014/01/27/great-deline-religion-united-states-one-graph/; www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05 christians-remain-worlds- ...). Theologian John Shelby Spong has challenged Christians, in order to revive their faith, to redefine God in non-theistic terms, not as a human-like being but as an abstract concept around which to focus one's life. If citizens in the U.S. and Europe can’t embrace a supernatural being as a source for united, cooperative behavior, we can hope they do better than making fun of life by pretending a “Flying Spaghetti Monster” is a good guide. But perhaps they can define an abstract principle of sacred value.
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT on Science and Atheism: Whether Atheistic Belief Is
    ABSTRACT On Science and Atheism: Whether Atheistic Belief is Scientifically Motivated Charles L. Jester Director: Gerald Cleaver, Ph.D. The intent of this paper is to explore the motivation behind the rejection of theistic religious faiths by modern atheist scientists, and whether it is justified to claim that this rejection is scientifically motivated. First, a brief background of the development of the contemporary schism between faith and science is given, noting in particular changes in belief amongst the scientific community. Next, an exposition on the motivations for scientists’ convictions concerning God is laid out, followed by an address to the question of whether atheistic scientists reject all properties of God, or only certain of them. Based on analyses of personal statements, statistical data on beliefs, and developments in twentieth-century physics and mathematics, it is concluded that modern scientists who reject theism are not overwhelmingly motivated by science, and that they in fact do not reject all ideas of God. APPROVED BY DIRECTOR OF HONORS THESIS: _____________________________________________________ Dr. Gerald B. Cleaver, Department of Physics APPROVED BY THE HONORS PROGRAM: _____________________________________________________ Dr. Andrew Wisely, Director DATE: ___________________________ ON SCIENCE AND ATHEISM: WHETHER ATHEISTIC BELIEF IS SCIENTIFICALLY MOTIVATED A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Baylor University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Honors Program By Charles L. Jester Waco, Texas
    [Show full text]
  • The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Shifting Discourse on Religion
    Counterreligion? The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Shifting Discourse on Religion Hanna Lehtinen Master’s thesis Department of Comparative Religion School of History, Culture and Arts Studies Faculty of Humanities University of Turku April 2018 The originality of this thesis has been checked in accordance with the University of Turku quality assurance system using the Turnitin OriginalityCheck service. UNIVERSITY OF TURKU School of History, Culture and Art Studies /Faculty of Humanities LEHTINEN, HANNA: Counterreligion? The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Shifting Discourse on Religion Master’s thesis, 102 pages, 16 appendix pages. Comparative Religion April 2018 _____________________________________________________________________ This study discusses a movement called the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CFSM), also known as Pastafarianism. Pastafarianism was born in the United States in 2005. It has since grown to a global phenomenon with numerous communities active both online and offline. While Pastafarianism is generally considered a parody religion or an Atheist satire criticising privileges awarded to religion in society, its open- endedness and subtle balance between different discourses on religion (and non- religion) make it open for many kinds of interpretations and uses. In this study, I examine the way Pastafarians construct their movement discursively, how they negotiate the categories of ‘religion’ and ‘atheism’, and how they locate Pastafarianism in relation to these two categories. I examine the way this movement is taking part in discourses that question the widely accepted categorisations and boundaries of ‘religion’. As research material I examine the writings of Bobby Henderson on his Pastafarianism-dedicated website The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and written interview responses I have received from numerous Pastafarians in different European countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Bigcheese Handout Menu 2017 Webcopy
    738-17th Ave SW 207 10th St NW Calgary, AB T2S 0B7 Calgary, AB T2N 1V5 403.457.CURD (2873) 587.350.CURD (2873) MYBIGCHEESE.COM TRADITIONAL POUTINE POUTINE - Locally grown Yukon gold potatoes, authentic Quebec cheese curds and poutine sauce. 6.99 VEGETARIAN VERSION OF TRADITIONAL POUTINE 6.99 YAMTASTIC - Sweet potatoes, our traditional, only sweeter. 8.99 VEGETARIAN 8.99 GLUTEN FREE AND VEGAN CHEESE OPTIONS AVAILABLE VEGGIE NACHO - Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeño peppers, and nacho cheese LOADED VEGGIE - Sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, sweet baby peas. MAC AND CHEESE - Macaroni noodle smothered in a smooth cheesey sauce. PORK POUTINE 8.99 PORKY PIG - Double smoked bacon, Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, and caramelized onions. HOG HEAVEN - Chipotle pulled pork. HOGZILLA - Carolina pulled pork, double smoked bacon, and peppercorn gravy. 9.99 NOTORIOUS P.I.G - Carolina pulled pork, double smoked bacon, and Italian sausage. PEROGIE POUTINE - Perogies, sour cream, caramelized onions, and double smoked bacon. MAPLE BACON - Double Smoked maple bacon CHICKEN POUTINE 8.99 CHICKEN PEPPERCORN - Shaved grilled chicken breast, caramelized onions, and 3 peppercorn gravy. PIGASUS - Shaved grilled chicken breast, double smoked bacon, baby green peas, and caramelized onions. SCOTTISH CURRY - Shaved grilled chicken breast and our own authentic Scottish curry sauce with baby green peas. BUFFALO CHICKEN - Shaved grilled chicken breast tossed in the famous Frank’s ® Red Hot, and baby green peas. CLUSTER BUCK - BBQ chicken on a poutine with caramelized onions. THE HO-DOWN - Shaved grilled chicken breast tossed in ranch, caramelized onions, and double smoked bacon. BOMBAY BOMBER - Butter chicken, caramelized onions, green peas.
    [Show full text]