Existing in secrecy for hundreds of years, the church received mainstream attention with the publication of an open letter to the Kansas School Board in May 2005 when it considered whether to allow the teaching of Intelligent Design in its public schools. In recent years, many Christians have pushed for the teaching of Intelligent Design alongside evolutionary theory in science courses. Intelligent Design is reputed to be based on science and is the theory that the world is so complex it must have been created by an intelligent being.

Originally from Oregon but now living in Arizona, Bobby Henderson, a 26-year-old with a physics degree and no job, wrote and posted the letter online on behalf of Pastafarians, those who believe that the Flying Spaghetti Monster is that intelligent being.

"Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him," Henderson wrote.

Not only does Henderson want to see the Flying Spaghetti Monster taught as an alternative theory of Intelligent Design, he cites evidence that his God exists.

"We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power."

One of those volumes is "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" which was nominated for a 2006 Quill Award and is available at most bookstores.
One of the church's core beliefs is that humans are evolved from pirates.

"Consider that humans share around 95 percent DNA with monkeys," Henderson said, "and more than 99.9 percent DNA with pirates."

Henderson claims there are millions of devout worshippers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. His Web site dedicated to the deity has received hundreds of millions of hits, with about 10,000 to 40,000 visitors per day. There are four pages of endorsements from academics who think this religion deserves open-minded consideration.

"The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is widely considered a legitimate religion, even by its opponents - mostly fundamentalist Christians who have accepted that our God has larger balls than theirs," Henderson said. Perhaps he means meatballs?

There is a long history of sightings of Jesus and the Virgin Mary in pizzas and tree bark, and there have been similar sightings of the Flying Spaghetti Monster with his noodly appendage documented on the Web site.  

Henderson has put together a fund dedicated to buying an ocean-going pirate ship to "Spread the Word of Pastafarianism to the world." He says the ship will be open to all Pastafarians and that they have raised over $100,000 so far.

"Whether or not the Flying Spaghetti Monster actually exists is beside the point," Henderson said. "We're all free to believe what we want. Pastafarianism is as valid as any other religion or belief-system. More than most, even."

To find out more about Pastafarianism and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, visit venganza.org.