Another DutchReviewer previously summarized a few religions in the Netherlands quite nicely. But one notable religion, or more correctly, denomination of Christianity, should be added: Pastafarianism, or belief in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (officially in Dutch: Kerk van het Vliegend Spaghettimonster).
What is Pastafarianism and why does it matter to the Dutch?
On January 26, 2016, Pastafarianism was established as a legally recognized religion (by the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, or KvK) in the Netherlands! Hoera for religious freedom!
Pastafarianism Fast Facts
Here are a few fast facts about this little-known religion:
- Pastafarianism was established in 2005, after its prophet Bobby Henderson wrote an open letter in protest of the Kansas Board of Education’s decision to allow the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution. (Intelligent design is the antithesis of evolution, natural selection, and science as described by the organization’s website — and a response to fundamentalist Christian belief.)
- The Flying Spaghetti Monster is an invisible and undetectable omnipotent Creator, who is apparently of male gender, according to existing text calling FSM a “He.” Arguably agender, “He” typically appears before His followers as a floating clump of tangled spaghetti with two meatballs for eyes.
- Pastafarians (or Pastafaries in Dutch), or followers of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, believe that humans are descendants of pirates, the original Pastafarians and peaceful explorers.
- Pastafarians believe heaven is a beer volcano with a stripper factory.
- Religious headwear is the common colander. Some have succeeded in wearing this on official government identification, like in Austria and Australia.
- Most recently, in August 2017, our neighboring Germans discriminated against Noodle Mass, or Nudelmesse, in the town of Templin by outlawing the posting of such events akin to similar event postings at other churches.
Don a colander and celebrate!
With Sinterklaas behind us, Hanukkah in full swing, and Christmas and Kwanzaa upcoming, don’t forget to also acknowledge an appropriate holiday tribute to The Flying Spaghetti Monster, the newest Dutch religion!
True Believers and skeptics are all welcome, claims the Church of the FSM, so no matter what your faith, you could check out the nearest Dutch FSM event for some hearty discourse about pirates, pasta, and more!