<p>Pastafarianism was started to protest against the inclusion of intelligent deisgn in science curriculae in schools. Intelligent design is NOT sceince by any definition. Pastafarianism mocks the inclusion of intelligent design in the curriculae, if you see the website. I don't see it as mocking religion. It doesn't portray religion very favourably, but it doesn't disrespect it, IMO. Like I said, I think Pastafarianism is very funny, and I DO respect religious people.</p>
<p>
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I don't see it as mocking religion.
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</p>
<p>According to the webster dictionary, one common definition of mock is "to mimic in sport or derision." This definition of mock applies quite well to Pastafarianism.</p>
<p>Pastafarinism mimics Christianity in several direct ways. Taken from wikipedia.com, "The religious text of the Pastafarian religion is called the Loose Canon, which may be considered to be a play on loose cannon and the biblical canon. In place of the ten commandments, it contains eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts", with a looser moral code." So, it has a central moral code which mimics a central moral code of Christianity.</p>
<p>This moral code is all apart of its gospel which mimics the Christian gospel, "the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster." </p>
<p>Hell, Pastafarianism even mimics Christianity withs its artwork, having its own version of Michelango's "Creation" in which the Noodly Appendage replaces the Christian God. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Touched_by_His_Noodly_Appendage.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Touched_by_His_Noodly_Appendage.jpg</a>)</p>
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<p>This list goes on.</p>
<p>As for the second part of the definition of "mock", Pastafarianism does indeed not only mimic, but it mimics * in sport and derision *. Why? Because the 'followers' obviously do not actually believe in Pastafarianism; otherwise, strangely enough, they wouldn't be Pastafarianists as we know them. I really don't need to continue on this point because it is self-evident to us all that the followers of Pastafarianism do not actually believe in it.</p>
<p>So, I think it does, indeed, mock religion, particularly Christianity. If this is true, then I also think it follows that it is disrespectful (see post #19).</p>
<p>I know that people may say, "Oh, just don't take it seriously." But that seems like an insensitive attitude to me. I think I should take it seriously, even if it does not necessarily hurt me (note: I have not disclosed my religious beliefs here and I am not arguing theological questions). Just like an organized movement which mocks a particular race, gender, or ethnicity should be taken seriously.</p>
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I think I should take it seriously
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Of course you should take it seriously, it's making a strong point.
And mocking or non-mocking, it's as reasonable as Christianity.</p>
<p>Apparently we're not talking about religious beliefs here, negru, but I concur completely.</p>
<p>Yes, of course Pastafarianism mimics Christianity, you don't have to prove that to me. I'm trying to say, it wasn't organised for the mocking of Christianity, it was organised for the mocking of INTELLIGENT DESIGN. Most intelligent design people also happen to be hardcore Christians. And if you ask me to respect people who believe in intelligent design, and dismiss evolution, and try to shove those beliefs down impressionable childrens' throats, I will not respect them, and neither did Bobby Henderson.</p>
<p>I'm Catholic and religious. </p>
<p>Yeah, you have tons of atheists in college. It's that youthful rebellion thing.</p>
<p>IT IS NOT the youthful rebellion thing. I've been atheist for as long as I can remember.</p>
<p>Even if Christianity is wrong, the presence of God and Jesus in my life makes me enjoy it so much more and llows me to become a much better person. If God does not exist, atleast I lived my life in a loving and caring way.</p>
<p>I go to a mosque every day......</p>
<p>The Brown Bomber has it right! Whether or not God exists, religion allows mankind to create a set of morals and try to lead successful, happy lives. If your belief as a Christian (or Hindu, Budhist, whatever) allows you to be a better person, then more power to you. If you feel you don't need religion to have a moral code, then even more power to you. I feel either way is right...even if there is no God, if ones belief in one makes a positive impact, then it was not in vain.</p>
<p>^ agreed. just as long as you don't go trying to make the entire world 'better' by pushing your beliefs onto them.</p>
<p>^ they don't have to actually "push" to do that...</p>
<p><em>cough</em>cough* democratic elections influenced by religious views on social, scientific, issues <em>cough</em></p>
<p>I dont think I push my views on people. Alot of times I ask people if they want to come to church with me, and if they say no, thats it, I dont bother them.</p>
<p>I er don't really know what I am. I guess Agnostic is as close as I can get to describe it. I was raised southern baptist, and obviously, that drove me away screaming from organized religion. Now I just kind of do my own thing.</p>
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it wasn't organised for the mocking of Christianity, it was organised for the mocking of INTELLIGENT DESIGN.
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<p>IMO, it was organized to mock both intelligent design and religion. </p>
<p>But even if it was not organized to mock religion, that is what it does. Regardless of why it started, the fact remains that it mocks religion, specifically Christianity. </p>
<p>An analogy is helpful. If white people form a club to mock (insert anything), but, as a consequence of the club, it turns into a club that mocks black people, then it is still disrespectful.</p>
<p>Morals? Morals dont exist. just cause and effect (look at celestial events and nature)...... If a supreme being doesnt exist then there is no right and wrong since no human or living thing is above everyone else</p>
<p>Most people here think they are too smart to go to church.</p>
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The majority of students at my school are either agnostic or atheist.
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Location: Alabama >>> University of Michigan 2010
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<p>In Alabama,of all states?!? what type of school do you go to? I think that it's highly unlikely for any school in Alabama to have that characteristics.</p>
<p>==
That said, it seems that the early entrance + UW Academy program at UWashington is roughly split 50% Christian, 50% atheist/agnostic. Washington is the least religious state in the nation.</p>
<p>Inquiline, I'm sure that person probably meant at Michigan, not Alabama. 2010 is the class that just finished their first year, not the ones about to start, so s/he'd already have been there a year and discovered this fact. </p>
<p>That said, I definitely agree, there is nowhere in Alabama you'll find a "mostly atheist/agnostic" school. I'm born, raised, and go to college here, and it's near impossible to find others actually FROM here that aren't religious (I have friends who aren't, but none of them are from anywhere near here-- northern US or foreign countries, all).</p>
<p>RIC, morals exists wether or not you believe in a higher being or not.</p>
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Inquiline, I'm sure that person probably meant at Michigan, not Alabama. 2010 is the class that just finished their first year, not the ones about to start, so s/he'd already have been there a year and discovered this fact.
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<p>The person came from Alabama and then went to the University of Michigan 2010 class. I highly doubt that a state school would be mostly agnostic/atheist (esp. considering that Michigan is not one of the less religious states). The other question is - how does one know that the majority are atheist/agnostic in a school as large as Michigan?</p>
<p>I'm curious as to the religious composition of universities though. Generally, the online forums I've hanged out at are also roughly split 50-50 between non-religious and Christian.</p>
<p>The weird thing, look at Princeton Review's ranking of schools on the category "Students Ignore God on a Regular Basis":</p>
<h1>(it's overwhelmingly LACs - does anyone have a hypothesis as to why this is the case?)</h1>
<p>Students Ignore God on a Regular Basis
Are students very religious?
School Name Save Apply Request Info
1 Reed College<br>
2 Bard College<br>
3 Bennington College<br>
4 Lewis & Clark College<br>
5 Sarah Lawrence College<br>
6 Eugene Lang College--The New School for Liberal Arts<br>
7 Emerson College<br>
8 Simon's Rock College of Bard<br>
9 New College of Florida<br>
10 Vassar College<br>
11 Marlboro College<br>
12 Hampshire College<br>
13 Oberlin College<br>
14 Macalester College<br>
15 Wesleyan University<br>
16 Beloit College<br>
17 Skidmore College<br>
18 Grinnell College<br>
19 Pomona College<br>
20 Pitzer College</p>