Many people across the country are converting to a brand new religion. Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, more fondly referred to as FSM, is captivating Americans with its intriguing perspectives on the creation of the world. According to FSM, the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster and all scientific evidence that alludes to the theory of evolution is just a mere coincidence initiated by the creator himself. FSM also determines that the increase in natural disasters is a direct result of the decrease in pirates since the 1800s. In addition, followers of FSM typically end their prayer sessions with “Ramen” rather than “Amen.” Flying Spaghetti Monsterism was founded by Bobby Henderson, a graduate of Oregon State University, and its intentions are not simply to create an incessant nationwide craving for pasta. The goal of this parody on Intelligent Design is to protest the recent Kansas ruling that Creationism should be given equal time in the classroom alongside the theory of evolution. It is, not surprisingly, receiving national attention. In June 2005, Henderson wrote an open letter to the Kansas School Board demanding that if Intelligent Design be taught in classrooms, then equal priority be given to every different theory of Intelligent Design. Thus, the theory that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the world becomes equally feasible as the idea that any other God created the world. Henderson’s letter includes a graph showing the decrease in pirates versus the increase in natural disasters, an explanation of how the Flying Spaghetti Monster influences scientific evidence of the age of the earth, and a plea to the school board asking that classrooms spend “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.” Clearly Henderson, who has a degree in physics, believes that it is ludicrous for anything besides the theory of evolution to be taught in schools. It is becoming apparent by the rapid popularity of FSM that many others share this opinion. By endorsing Henderson’s religion, Americans are supporting the belief that teaching ID in classrooms is unacceptable. At the close of the letter, Henderson threatens that if no response is made to his demands, he will pursue legal action. Although it may sound as though he would have no case at all, he may actually have all the evidence necessary for a legal battle against teaching Intelligent Design. On his website, Henderson also provides quotes from politicians as evidence of political support for FSM. He quotes George W. Bush as saying, “I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought. You’re asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes.” Although in context, this statement was clearly showing his support for the ruling in favor of teaching Creationism, Bush’s statement can be applied directly to FSM. Although still relatively new, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism covers all ground. If anything that could be explained by science can also be arbitrarily explained by the hand of God, then why not the noodly appendages of the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Ramen. For more information or to read a copy of Henderson’s letter to the Kansas School Board, visit www.venganza.org.