Tao of Lunacy

assertion that “certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.”

Basically, it’s a pseudoscientific way to explain creationism. It doesn’t assume or name any particular intelligent creator, just that there is one. Scientists say this is not science as it cannot be tested, thus cannot provide results, and therefore we cannot draw any conclusions from it. It breaks all the rules of the Scientific Theory. These scientists are obviously fans of Darwin. And while I hold nothing against Darwinism, I also have no problem with creationism as it is explained in religions around the world.

The stated purpose of intelligent design is to investigate whether or not existing empirical evidence implies that life on Earth must have been designed by an intelligent agent or agents.

For decades, people have fought the teaching of evolution in classrooms around the world. They’ve done such a fine job at stifling the scientific theory I should probably delve into just what it is for you. (There I go being cheeky again! That was a joke folks. I doubt there is any one of you reading this - well maybe ONLY one of you will ever read this - but still I doubt I need to explain Darwin’s Theory of Evolution now do I?) It obviously challenges the theories of a God or Higher Power many people are taught and/or embrace. Thus, the movement for ID is it be taught as an alternative theory to evolution in schools. The bottom line is antidisestablishmentarianism exists for a reason. (btw - that’s the separation between church and state, a nifty fact I learned in fourth grade and required my male offspring to learn when he was old enough to regurgitate the word and the meaning in his oh so sweet little voice. (Of course, so he could understand at the time, I added and he dutifully memorized and regurgitated upon request the following addition to the definition “that means the government shouldn’t be involved in the church and the church shouldn’t be involved in government.")

(Small diversion - teaching an offspring this word is best done in conjunction with teaching them the appropriate response to the question “m of the square of the sides of a right triangle equals the square of the…” that’s right! Hypotenuse! And when taking them to the doctor and he whips out the blood pressure cuff, they should be trained at an impressively young age to respond to the question “What’s that called?” with - Sphygmomanometer. Now, back on track… )

For anything more in depth on ID, click on the link above and read the Wiki articles, and the articles it links to, with regard to ID. Whew! With that out of the way we’re finally ready to move on to Pastafarianism. In 2005 the Kansas Board of Education was considering teaching ID as a part of their biology curriculum. Bobby Henderson, a then 25-year-old physics graduate, sent an open letter to the school system arguing against the teaching of ID in schools. He argued if both evolution and ID are taught, then other alternative theories should also be considered as valid classroom material (a rather logical argument I do believe) and proposed the following:

1. The universe was created by an invisible Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM). (Might I add here, the FSM does not have hands but Noodly Appendages.)
2. Evidence of evolution was created by the FSM to test the beliefs of Pastafarians.
3. Pirates are divine beings who really spread good-will and candy to children. (Useless information here but Pirates celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th. - now you know….). 4. The declining number of pirates since the 1800’s is the cause of global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. (This part of his theory demonstrates “correlation does not imply causation")

He even has very scientific looking graphs to demonstrate the correlations. In his own words from the Wiki article imortalizing his theory:

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.

I don’t have a problem with religion. What I have a problem with is religion posing as science.

His theory has gained widespread support. Members of this group belong to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CoFSM). Often embraced by atheists (or "spagnostics" as they are known in the CoFSM) as well as others who support the demise of ID. There are over 10 million self-professed Pastafarians today. School boards have been unwilling, despite numerous attempts, to accept and include Flying Spaghetti Monsterism in their classrooms. Perhaps the requirement it be taught while wearing full pirate regalia is just a bit more than they can handle. If you’d like to read more on the prophet Bobby Henderson and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster just check out Venganza.org, the official site of the CoFSM.

I do hope I’ve given you enough information to draw your own conclusions on this highly controversial (…ahem…) religion. Oh I hope for a few comments on this one!