While it can be challenging to find them, we like to share positive stories with you. Stories that inspire and encourage, and some that simply make us laugh. Stories like that of Czech Pastafarian, Lukas Novy.
In July of 2013, Novy demanded to be allowed to wear a plastic colander in his official ID photo, claiming that wearing it is a religious requirement to show respect to the Pastafarian deity, the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Pastafarianism and The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was an invention of Bobby Henderson, used satirically in an open letter to the Kansas State Board of Education prior to a series of evolution hearings in January, 2005. The first known instance of someone being allowed to wear a colander in an official ID photograph was Austrian atheist Niko Alm in 2011.
From the story: "Today, it is 'insisted' by thousands of followers all over the world that Pastafarianism is an authentic religion. The deity of the religion is referred to as His Noodliness the Flying Spaghetti Monster by the followers." A pasta strainer or colander is their official headgear.
Due to their religious equality laws, Czech officials had no other choice but to allow Novy to use the colander as long as his face wasn't hidden.
Some of your comments were even more funny than the story itself. Like this one from Charlie Bloom, "I would wear a sieve but his Noodliness has told me personally that as a moderate member I am not required to do so. However, my balls are revered and kept well supported! All hail to his Noodliness, fountain of all flavour!"
And this from teacher, Tom Justice, "The sad part is in a 1000 years we'll have wars between the Penne Pastafarians and Linguini Pastafarians over who has the one true Pasta religion......and one will probably have to snip the ends off of their sausages....."
Since we reported this story, a student at Texas Tech University in the U.S.A. also got approval to wear a pasta strainer on his head in his driver's license photo.
Citizens of the Republic have a knack for using satire and humor in conversations and debates. Sometimes, in the face of absurdity, all you can do is laugh. How do you keep your sense of humor as an atheist? We would love to share more funny and encouraging news stories and blog posts with you. Please reply to this email to share your thoughts and any story leads you might have.
