The Flying Spaghetti Monster: creation or evolution?
April 7th 2008 17:32
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a sculpture by Crossville artists, brother and sister team David & Ariel Safdie, erected outside the courthouse in Cumberland County, Tennessee earlier this year in a public lawn display known as a "free speech zone".
Religious critics claim that allowing such a sculpture to be on display in a public space endorses the ridicule of Christianity, creationism, and the desire to teach "intelligent design" in schools.
Yet a chainsaw-carved statue of Jesus carrying the cross was also placed on the courthouse lawn earlier this year. Other displays include a memorial to soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Statue of Liberty, historic farm implements and fundraising totals.
Photos by Gary Nelson/Crossville Chronicle
The "free speech zone" itself began in 2006 due to an existing statue of Moses being questioned by the American Civil Liberties Union in Nashville. Displaying a religious icon sparked a letter being sent to the county asking if the display of the Moses statue meant the space was a designated free speech zone and citizens have been contributing artistic works to the couthouse lawn ever since.
Josh Hayes, a writer for the Crossville Chronicle, speculates that the sculpture of The Flying Spaghetti Monster undermines the credibility of "intelligent design" saying:
Josh Hayes also says in the same article:
Does a piece of contemporary art inspired by the deighty of a parody religion undermine people of faith?
Does a government body allowing such an artwork to be displayed in a public space constitute an anti-religious bias?
Is it really fair to call Darwinism a "church"?
Personally i say a resounding NO on all three counts. Darwinism isnt an organised religion, it is the theory of evolution . . . but apparently when Creationists in the USA say "Darwinism" they really mean "atheism" anyway . . . according to wiki:
Some Creationists believe they are not afforded the same liberties as their fellow Darwinists and that religious artworks in public spaces are more likely to cause social outrage than their atheist counterparts. The disgruntled claim they are being denied the right to contribute to public forums (in art, law-making, and education alike) because they derive the inspiration for their ideas from a religious source.
In the USA religious monuments can be (and are) displayed in public spaces if they are of a mixed but primarily non-religious purpose ie not being used to promote religion . . . eg the case of a 6 foot high granite Ten Commandments displayed among nearly 40 monuments and historical markers spread across 22 acres in front of the capitol in Austin, Texas
Apparently there are over 4,000 Ten Commandments displays in public courthouses and parks across the USA . . . and yes some of them do cause outrage and court proceedings . . . but many are defended and welcomed depending on the context
This year the federal courts in the USA ruled another 6 foot tall stone Ten Commandments display was entitled to sit near an old city hall building in Everett, Washington because as it was not considered to have a soley religious purpose.
Religious icons have been immortalised in art throughout history and religious statues are still erected in public places to this day across the USA and all over the world.
After the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 a large sculpture of jesus weeping titled "And Jesus Wept" was erected in memorial of the tragedy for public viewing, it is a lovely tribute, welcomed by the community as a historical artifact.
In the USA, legally speaking, art displayed in public spaces can be either religious or non-religious in inspiration as long as its overall message is neutral and its purpose is not to undermine the secular laws
The Flying Spaghetti Monster (also known as the Spaghedeity) is the deity of The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and its system of beliefs, "Pastafarianism". The religion was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson to protest the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to biological evolution. Because intelligent design implies the existence of an intelligent, but not necessarily omnipotent or omniscient designer, some, like Henderson, argued that this designer could, in fact, be anything imaginable. In an open letter sent to the education board Henderson called for the "Pastafarian" theory of creation to be taught in science classrooms.
In November 2007, four Polk County School Board members interviewed by The Ledger daily newspaper said they would support a resolution advising the Florida Board of Education to revise proposed science standards to include alternative theories to evolution. Responses from the Flying Spaghetti Monster group, anti-creationist Wesley R. Elsberry, and others in the scientific community made the board retract their statements.
And what do the artists have to say about their interpretation of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as it relates to religion, evolution and free speech?
Artist statement from the installation ceremony:
The Flying Spaghetti Monster sculpture is neither condemned nor endorsed more than any other piece of public art . . . but i dont think we will be seeing his noodley appendage in a science classroom anytime soon . . . judging from the media and internet coverage it seems this image of the atheist mascot has caused just as much outrage as any religious monument.
Religious critics claim that allowing such a sculpture to be on display in a public space endorses the ridicule of Christianity, creationism, and the desire to teach "intelligent design" in schools.
Yet a chainsaw-carved statue of Jesus carrying the cross was also placed on the courthouse lawn earlier this year. Other displays include a memorial to soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, a Statue of Liberty, historic farm implements and fundraising totals.
The "free speech zone" itself began in 2006 due to an existing statue of Moses being questioned by the American Civil Liberties Union in Nashville. Displaying a religious icon sparked a letter being sent to the county asking if the display of the Moses statue meant the space was a designated free speech zone and citizens have been contributing artistic works to the couthouse lawn ever since.
Josh Hayes, a writer for the Crossville Chronicle, speculates that the sculpture of The Flying Spaghetti Monster undermines the credibility of "intelligent design" saying:
In spite of their best efforts to appear as the objective, rational party, those opposed to Intelligent Design and the influence of religion upon the state have shown themselves to not be so “neutral” after all.
Josh Hayes also says in the same article:
If Congress is to give no precedence to one religion over another, let’s make sure the Church of Darwin is treated no differently.
Does a piece of contemporary art inspired by the deighty of a parody religion undermine people of faith?
Does a government body allowing such an artwork to be displayed in a public space constitute an anti-religious bias?
Is it really fair to call Darwinism a "church"?
Personally i say a resounding NO on all three counts. Darwinism isnt an organised religion, it is the theory of evolution . . . but apparently when Creationists in the USA say "Darwinism" they really mean "atheism" anyway . . . according to wiki:
The term "Darwinism" is often used in the USA by promoters of creationism to describe evolution, notably by leading members of the intelligent design movement. In this usage, the term has connotations of atheism. For example, in Charles Hodge's book What Is Darwinism?, Hodge answers the question posed in the book's title by concluding: "It is Atheism." Creationists use the term Darwinism, often pejoratively, to imply that the theory has been held as true only by Darwin and a core group of his followers, whom they cast as dogmatic and inflexible in their belief. Casting evolution as a doctrine or belief bolsters religiously motivated political arguments to mandate equal time for the teaching of creationism in public schools.
Some Creationists believe they are not afforded the same liberties as their fellow Darwinists and that religious artworks in public spaces are more likely to cause social outrage than their atheist counterparts. The disgruntled claim they are being denied the right to contribute to public forums (in art, law-making, and education alike) because they derive the inspiration for their ideas from a religious source.
In the USA religious monuments can be (and are) displayed in public spaces if they are of a mixed but primarily non-religious purpose ie not being used to promote religion . . . eg the case of a 6 foot high granite Ten Commandments displayed among nearly 40 monuments and historical markers spread across 22 acres in front of the capitol in Austin, Texas
Apparently there are over 4,000 Ten Commandments displays in public courthouses and parks across the USA . . . and yes some of them do cause outrage and court proceedings . . . but many are defended and welcomed depending on the context
This year the federal courts in the USA ruled another 6 foot tall stone Ten Commandments display was entitled to sit near an old city hall building in Everett, Washington because as it was not considered to have a soley religious purpose.
Religious icons have been immortalised in art throughout history and religious statues are still erected in public places to this day across the USA and all over the world.
After the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 a large sculpture of jesus weeping titled "And Jesus Wept" was erected in memorial of the tragedy for public viewing, it is a lovely tribute, welcomed by the community as a historical artifact.
In the USA, legally speaking, art displayed in public spaces can be either religious or non-religious in inspiration as long as its overall message is neutral and its purpose is not to undermine the secular laws
The Flying Spaghetti Monster (also known as the Spaghedeity) is the deity of The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and its system of beliefs, "Pastafarianism". The religion was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson to protest the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to require the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to biological evolution. Because intelligent design implies the existence of an intelligent, but not necessarily omnipotent or omniscient designer, some, like Henderson, argued that this designer could, in fact, be anything imaginable. In an open letter sent to the education board Henderson called for the "Pastafarian" theory of creation to be taught in science classrooms.
In November 2007, four Polk County School Board members interviewed by The Ledger daily newspaper said they would support a resolution advising the Florida Board of Education to revise proposed science standards to include alternative theories to evolution. Responses from the Flying Spaghetti Monster group, anti-creationist Wesley R. Elsberry, and others in the scientific community made the board retract their statements.
And what do the artists have to say about their interpretation of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as it relates to religion, evolution and free speech?
Artist statement from the installation ceremony:
"We are lucky enough to live in a country that allows us, its citizens, the freedom of speech. I have chosen to put up a statue of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to represent the discourse between people of all different beliefs. The many faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds of Cumberland County's residents make our community a stronger richer place.... The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a pile of noodles and meatballs, but it is meant to open up discussion and provoke thought. Being able to put up a statue is a celebration of our freedom as Americans; a freedom to be different, to express those differences, and to do it amongst neighbors -- even if it is in a noodley way."
The Flying Spaghetti Monster sculpture is neither condemned nor endorsed more than any other piece of public art . . . but i dont think we will be seeing his noodley appendage in a science classroom anytime soon . . . judging from the media and internet coverage it seems this image of the atheist mascot has caused just as much outrage as any religious monument.
| 136 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Had to happen.
Josh Hayes is also a hack. In that article he goes on to say that Darwinism is more ridiculous than Flying Spaghettism because it claims that the earth came out of nothing, which pretty much sums up his understanding of scientific theory.
If anyone has the patience, can they explain to Josh the difference between Natural Selection and the Big Bang?
RAmen
Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Comment by samaritan
Fringe Faith
In relation to equating Darwinism with Atheism, I think it's due to that common fault of some Christians of believing that anyone who doesn't think the way they do just isn't following the right religion.
Samaritan
www.fringefaith.com
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
yeah Josh Hayes and people that think like him seem to suffer from paranoia and delusions of persecution . . . you couldnt swing a cat without hitting some religious symbolism in art or a christian themed public monument . . . it seems to me that religion is embraced in the arts as it shows our roots and our heritage, not necessarily to endorse it . . . a work like The Flying Spaghetti Monster captures a community attitude at a certain moment in time
i was reading maths/physics/philosophy students replying to a creationist post which claimed the functionality of a banana proves god exists and other warped logic CLICKHERE to see over 500 responses . . . mental wrestling with academics suddenly made it seem like "unintelligent design"
it was a debate with a fellow Orbler which prompted me to make a whole post out of this CLICKHERE to see "Proof Anti-Christians Are Not Always Neutral" by signals on The Enigmatic Dilemma
Hi Louie
haha the spaghetti monster does look like it belongs on sesame street hey . . . except for the inappropriate noodle and two meatball fallic symbolism lol
thanks for the comments ladies
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i find your open-minded views on christianity and being a christian refreshing as always . . . i dont know if its a christian saying or not but i always think of the saying "dont blow out my candle to makes yours burn brighter" . . . im sure anyone comfortable in their faith would not oppose alternate theories and ideas . . . i think its fabulous how you respect other religions and atheism
cheers, thanks for the comment
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I was going to make a mention of that banana theory in an upcoming post. Namely because one of its proponents is an 80 teen heart throb. Have you seen that video on youtube? I can't recall the name of the vid....but will get back to you.
Yeah I read that post by signals and that's what led me to Heyes article. I must've seen the post before you as there was no debate raging as yet. I thought about it...but even I can't be bothered sometimes...
Samaritan, it's always a pleasure!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i dont know why i chose this particular issue in the great political/religious battlefield, i just thought it was flat out wrong to say the public accepts atheist art more readily than religious art . . . art may have political inspiration but i dont believe art (as an object) has any more political meaning than the viewer who interprets it
i very much look forward to your upcoming banana post . . . i sense im gunna like it . . . im subscribed so ill probably be the first one posting a big "LOL" in the comments
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Oh I agree with you, its a point worth arguing but I read signals post pretty late at night and after that whole abortion debacle which led to a major fall out (if you can call it that, since we were never really "in"), with another blogger, I was just too exhausted!
Comment by Winston
Small Thoughts on Big Questions
At any rate, to say that atheistic art is more accepted in America than religious art is to live in a parallel universe. The fact of the matter (much to some people's displeasure) is that our government is secular. Having a display of the Ten Commandments or whatnot on government property, if it is not part of a larger, diverse display, is endorsement of one religion. I would also disagree if a government building exclusively displayed the FSM. It simply is not relevant to the business of government in either case.
I think the "Free speech zone" is a great idea, though. Let everyone have access to display their views and their art. It SHOULD short circuit anyone complaining about being offended, but obviously not.
Ruby, you're thinking of the Way of the Master series, starring Ray Moody and Kirk Cameron, two jackass peas in a pod. The banana special ("The Atheist's Nightmare" as it's titled) is hilarious. As for Hayes' grasp of evolutionary theory and cosmology....why bother even trying to explain?
Comment by Cheryl J
Funny Videos
Rhythmatism
Zentertainment
I watched The Athiest's Nightmare just the other day after a comment left on my Myspace blog pointed me to it. Now that is comedy gold.
Great post.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i admire your persitance in educating the ignorant, i sent you a PM with instructions on how to embed a video
winston,
hi, thanks for stopping by, ive really enjoyed your posts on atheism and welcome your opinions on how it applies to art . . . you have a very fair and balanced outlook . . . as long as government has one rule for all there can be no proof of bias towards any art, whether inspired by creationism or evolution
cheryl,
haha i watch "the atheists nightmare" as well . . . it really isnt the most convincing theory is it? lol . . . and as uni geeks point out the modern banana has been cultivated by man to be user-friendly, wild bananas are a little less delightful to eat
i would hate to see everyone so afraid of offending each others political and religious sensibilities that we no longer had ANY art displayed in public places . . . that would be a crying shame
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Wonderful post! Really enjoyed it.
Mis
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
thanks for stopping by and leaving some positive feedback!
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
thanks for the comment, i find the whole concept of the flying spaghetti monster absolutely fascinating . . . satire is so satisfying sometimes!