Faith

‘Pastafarian’ Wins Austrian Gov’t Approval for Pasta-Strainer ‘Religious Headgear’

The rules are simple: Austrian drivers license holders are only allowed to wear head coverings in official pictures for “confessional reasons.” This regulatory exemption allows practicing Muslim women to wear hijabs while simultaneously disallowing baseball caps and cowboy hats which could potentially obstruct key identifying features.

Pastafarian Wins Austrian Govt Approval for Pasta Strainer Religious Headgear

Nico Alm and his "religious" head covering (BBC)

But while refusing to conform to the selectively applied “no headgear” rules, self-professed atheist Niko Alm decided to make a political point by petitioning the government to allow him to wear his own kind of “religious headgear” in his license photo: a noodle strainer.

According to the BBC, Mr. Alm told authorities the culinary instrument was a requirement of his religion, “pastafarianism”:

The idea came into Mr Alm’s noodle three years ago as a way of making a serious, if ironic, point.

A self-confessed atheist, Mr Alm says he belongs to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a light-hearted faith whose members call themselves pastafarians.

The group’s website states that “the only dogma allowed in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the rejection of dogma”.

But don’t think this exploitation of religious tolerance is limited to Europe.  The so-called Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is also active in the United States:

In response to pressure for American schools to teach the Christian theory known as intelligent design, as an alternative to natural selection, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster wrote to the Kansas School Board asking for the pastafarian version of intelligent design to be taught to schoolchildren, as an alternative to the Christian theory.

In the same spirit, Mr Alm’s pastafarian-style application for a driving licence was a response to the Austrian recognition of confessional headgear in official photographs.

The licence took three years to come through and, according to Mr Alm, he was asked to submit to a medical interview to check on his mental fitness to drive but – straining credulity – his efforts have finally paid off.

It is the police who issue driving licences in Austria, and they have duly issued a laminated card showing Mr Alm in his unorthodox item of religious headgear.

The next step, Mr Alm told the Austrian news agency APA, is to apply to the Austrian authorities for pastafarianism to become an officially recognised faith.Pastafarian Wins Austrian Govt Approval for Pasta Strainer Religious Headgear

This “parody religion” mocks actual people of faith with such slogans as “carbo diem,“ ”he boiled for your sins“ and ”put the spaghetti back in the holidays!”  The group’s “propaganda” materials swap out God and Jesus Christ for a spaghetti monster and pirates.

Pastafarian Wins Austrian Govt Approval for Pasta Strainer Religious Headgear

Pastafarian Wins Austrian Govt Approval for Pasta Strainer Religious Headgear

Is this what “tolerance” looks like?

Comments (126)

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  • jokar
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:34pm

    Whatever floats your boat. If you think it is cool to wear a collander on your head, and you work for three years to get that right (LOL), enjoy.

    The lengths people go to riducule people who don’t have the same beliefs is amazing!

    Report Post »  
    • WeekendAtBernankes
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:16am

      Agreed. This is what happens when the government gets involved in religion. Props to the dude for making a statement, it’s hilarious.

      Report Post » WeekendAtBernankes  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 1:49pm

      No this is what happens when there is no national religion.[all religions are treated equally]Secular democray [not islam] will be the downfall of christianity[though Christ yesterday,Christ today and Christ will come again!]
      Since Americanism is our real religion here, it should be incorporated as a legal religion then baseball caps would also be allowed to be worn by right wing austrians only too willing to be members of the imperialist church called americanism!

      Report Post »  
  • crazytalk
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:34pm

    Looks to be making a point, and I get it. I do like pasta.

    Report Post »  
  • frodis
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:24pm

    Thanks for opening a can of worms there. Now everyone will make up some silly thing to get away with. When is common sense used anymore? Maybe you can wear a hockey mask and claim it’s part of your daily ritual.

    Report Post » frodis  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:23pm

    LOL… personally, I love it.

    You people call this “stupid” but wear crosses and drink the blood of Christ and think it’s normal.

    You’re all weird. I’m weird. People are weird. Let him be.

    Report Post » N37BU6  
    • ilovepotatoes
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:04pm

      great point

      Report Post »  
    • BuzzardSays
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:24pm

      I condemn him. His fool wages will be eternal death. Follow him down that broad path to destruction at your own peril.

      Report Post » BuzzardSays  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:21pm

    It’s official – you are a Licensed Dork.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:21pm

    This guy is out of his noodle.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:18pm

    hey, real nice chap here.

    Perhaps, the irony of this story is lost on you but this young man is making a point against “islamic radicals” being tolerated by civil society. The Burka should not be tolerated by free people because it is a “religious” expression.

    It is an oppressive expression.

    Thus, wearing pasta strainers on your head is also a “religious” expression by any one who has read The God Delusion, which in a “tolerant” society is beyond refute.

    I suggest you read, The God Delusion. Its an imperfect book but its worth the read.

    Then you can swiftly go out in public with a pasta strainer on your head and the world might have one less fool wondering around it…

    cheers

    Report Post » MrButcher  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:08pm

    Oh well……..looks like a quick buck schema

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Chrestotes
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:05pm

    I guess that people who subscribe to such lunacy fail to see their deep-seated issues. They lash out at believers in satircal, blasphemous or venomous ways, all the while jealous of the faith and community they have apprehended. Aren’t atheists the most miserable people on earth? Look at Bill Maher among others. He’s so bitter that he practically makes a living off of it. What a sad existence. They spend a lot of creative energy and time combating something that they are so sure doesn’t exist? I mean, is it just me…or is that less than intelligent?

    Report Post »  
    • scuba13
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:11pm

      Hey look it’s encinom.

      Report Post » scuba13  
    • nuttyvet
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:23pm

      @Chrestotes – I am agnostic. I don’t choose to be, it is just a deep feeling that I am not able to understand the greater powers of our existence. I am not sad, in fact I am very happy and I try to attend Mass whenever I can. I volunteer more than the majority of people (and when I say that I am quite confident that there are few that can match the energy I put into helping others). I am a good person and think that the Creator sees this and has given me the choice to become a good person. I don’t however, strictly follow what others tell me to follow… I would love to, it would be far easier than wondering but it’s not who I am. But I am happy… I love life and I am loved in return.
      As for this guy. I would say he shouldn’t waste his time “making fun” of those with religious convictions. Perhaps its through his own insecurities about the world around him. But I have to say it makes me think twice about condeming the beliefs of others. Can I say Mormons are nuts for the whole golden plates thing when I’m supposed to believe Jesus rose from the dead? Perhaps he did and perhaps he didn’t but how am I supposed to be 100% committed to a religion based on the teachings by mere humans on the existence of the omnipotent Creator.
      Now Blazers, go ahead an lash out at me for my honesty…

      Report Post » nuttyvet  
    • Toucan
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:20pm

      @CHRESTOTES—

      “They spend a lot of creative energy and time combating something that they are so sure doesn’t exist? I mean, is it just me…or is that less than intelligent?”

      Just think about what you stated and substitute “They” with “Christian or Muslim”… So, is the action still “less than intelligent?”…

      Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 2:38pm

      They’re spending their energy because they truely believe that religion is a reactionary force in the world and wish to enlighten us so we can free ourselves from a needless obsticle to a better life for individuals and society as a whole.. Just like you anti-muslim bigots believe ridding the world of islam would benefit individuals and societies., same thing. I’m not an athiest,i’m a catholic but just like i defend the muslims against anti- muslim genocidists i also defend athiests in thier desire to free the world of what they believe is superstition. I welcome authentic challenges to inauthentic complacency[especially when it validates war, hatred,, intolerence, smug hubris and all these scourages that continue to befall us in this so called age of tolerence and freedom.]An honest man is a rare thing as scripture tells us and these athiests appear more honest then the lot of you “Christians” using Christ to validate genocidal hatred of muslims as you murder and torture them over there and lie about them and bully them over here at every turn in your media and among your politicians.The least of our brethren is whoever is being attacked at any particulat time and place.in the past it was the Jews, now it is Muslims and apparently now athiests who are getting uppity are starrting to get vilified in right wing media.They’re the least of my brethren now [the muslims ovbiously on a whole other level then some americn athiests in secular america].

      Report Post »  
  • American Soldier (Separated)
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:04pm

    If only half of congress were Atheist/Agnostic.

    Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:21pm

      ….or at least didn’t have to violate the Constitution by submitting to religious tests in order to get elected.

      We’d be a little more saner.

      cheers, Soldier

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • marjorie faye
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:16pm

      Actually, Mr. Butcher, atheism is irrational.

      Report Post »  
    • Don Logan
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 5:54pm

      Why?

      Report Post »  
    • TheVOR
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 7:21am

      What article of the Constitution is being violated?

      And, what religious tests must be submitted to in order to be elected?

      Report Post »  
    • carnifex
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 7:56am

      Ahhh the old “seperation of church and state” trick! You do realize that the phrase is found no where in the Constitution, correct? In fact, the wording comes from a letter written by T. Jefferson. The 1st Amendment says Congress shall not establish a religion, not that religious people can’t be in Congress. As for the mocking of God, do you really believe He is so small as to be injured by it? On the other hand, as Islamo Rage Boy shows, humans are that small. Thats what I meant about a little laughing at ourselves is good for our humility.

      Report Post » carnifex  
    • rlknight44
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:25pm

      I may be wrong, but are not almost half of the 535 agnostic/athiest Democrats already?

      Report Post »  
  • Browncoat359
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:01pm

    Pastafarianism has been around for a good number of years now. I was okay with it as a joke and a parody of organized religion but,now the joke itself has become a joke! There’s no other reason than that of religious IN-tolerance to demand that this be deemed an official religion.

    Report Post » Browncoat359  
    • koranburner
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:08am

      I have a hard time showing up for church services because it is so serious. I need a light hearted religion especially with all the serious political crap going on now. We should go to church and tell jokes to each other and laugh. What happened to living in the joy of the Lord. Where is the joy???

      Report Post »  
  • republapig
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:56pm

    “God is not mocked” I hope these people accept Jesus before judgement day.

    Report Post » republapig  
    • MrButcher
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:29pm

      No, YOU”D better accept The Flying Spaghetti Monster before the sauce gets hot!

      Anyone who speaks against the great Flying Spaghetti Monster is an apostate to the one true faith and will not be anoited with the Blessed Hot Spaghetti Sauce!

      “Your noodle will grow cold and wither” (Spaghetti 3:23)

      Report Post » MrButcher  
    • ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 9:52pm

      If the LORD AND MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE can not tolerate a little mocking, that is one petty god.

      Report Post » ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME  
    • ilovepotatoes
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:08pm

      hahaha its like these spaghetti people are finally giving Christians a taste of their own medicine!

      Report Post »  
    • marjorie faye
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 10:36pm

      And why exactly would you want to mock the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator of the Universe? As the title of a certain book states, your God is too small.

      Report Post »  
    • BuzzardSays
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:31pm

      God is not mocked. I examine the sacifice of Jesus and think that these mockers will get their comeuppance. Like this MrButcher ah-theist that already responded. He is condemned and heading towards Hell similar to millions of others. They’ll wail, and weep, and gnash their teeth and still burn for eternity. They’ve been told, prayed for, and yet sin holds them in bondage and very few escape.

      Report Post » BuzzardSays  
  • vic138
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:56pm

    I wonder if muslim women are allowed to wear the hijab for their pictures. My next fake id is that of a muslim woman.

    Report Post » vic138  
  • GRAMPA-D-NH
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:56pm

    15 minutes of fame for an eternity apart from the God he mocks. May he find God and call upon His mercy before he leaves this life.

    Report Post » GRAMPA-D-NH  
    • BuzzardSays
      Posted on July 14, 2011 at 12:22pm

      I aggree. Most of the atheists I talk at (never talk to them because they are fools) are simply punks, reprobates, devils, and ah-theists. Their minds are clouded to the reality of God, creation, truth They drink in iniquity like a fish takes in water.

      All these types of people will someday believe in Jesus though. They will bow their knee to Him just before they are hurled into the eternal flame.

      Such a reprobate to pursue his right to take a queer picture and get people to examine his sickness. Unfortunately he will appeal to other fools and then as a blind man leads another into a ditch he will mislead many on that broad path to destruction.

      What a devil.

      Report Post » BuzzardSays  
  • Bruce_Almty
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:55pm

    American progressives have nothing on European “tolerance.” Can the legal profession get any more stupid? I say YES.

    Report Post » Bruce_Almty  
  • WSGAC
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:53pm

    Aheists sure like to make much ado about nothing! If God doesn’t exist, so be it. But why so much effort to insist on nothing? Me thinks they protest too much…ie., kicking against the goads.

    Report Post »  
  • johnnyrockett
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:52pm

    Idiot…….

    Report Post »  
  • go2mikerenzi
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:52pm

    one of their core beliefs is that an increase in pirate activity causes global warming

    Report Post » go2mikerenzi  
  • beverlee
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:49pm

    Speechless

    Report Post » beverlee  
  • Goodgriefgeezlouise
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:49pm

    As a devote parmasianian myself I have to ask where are the meatballs? Can’t we all just get along?

    Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:49pm

    If the hijab is allowed, so should the spaghetti strainer.
    I’d hazard a guess that less people have been killed by fanatic pastafarians than by fanatic muslims.

    Report Post »  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:47pm

    His brains are going right through that sieve.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:46pm

    Okay, now the world has officially reached a new level of monty python induced madness.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • vennoye
      Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:52pm

      Satan is certainly having a field day!! Wonder how many other “religions” will come out of this??

      Report Post » vennoye  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:46pm

    How low can we go?

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • Ookspay
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 8:44pm

    If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.

    Report Post » Ookspay  
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