Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Crossville

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Spaghetti Monster Retires from Courthouse Lawn to Begin Crossville Tour

Today, the FSM has retired from the courthouse lawn--- few statues still remain and the future of religious and political displays on government property remains unknown. The Flying Spaghetti Monster is worn but not beaten in spirit. Not knowing the next time It will make the pilgrimage to Crossville again, It will take the last week in April to do some much needed sightseeing around beautiful Cumberland County.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Crossville Spaghetti Monster in Rolling Stone Magazine? What?

It is not the cover, in fact it is very very very small but yes, a picture of the Flying Spaghetti Monster made it to the April Rolling Stone--- flip through the one with Mick Jagger, Jack White and Keith Richards on the cover, put on your glasses and if you squint real hard you'll see it somewhere in the middle.

Also click here to check out the details from the Crossville Chronicle on the closing of the court house lawn's free speech zone.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Important Spaghetti Monster Update: Thank you!

Cumberland County's Building and Grounds Committee met last night. I was unable to attend the meeting but it seems that the decision is that as of May 1 all statues must be removed from the courthouse lawn. Displays from civic organizations or nonprofits may be displayed for 1 day in correlation with an event.........as I said, I was not able to attend the meeting myself so I can not confirm the accuracy of this information and I do not know further details. But I have been asked to remove the FSM by midnight on April 30. I am sure we will hear more information shortly.

Thank you to all who have respected the local chapter of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster-- an effort to make the open forum of our courthouse lawn truly open. I hope that Cumberland County continues to equally treat, respect, and represent the diverse beliefs of its residents. The discussions that have occured over the past three weeks are what enables us to protect our right to equality and freedom of speech.

Change was made possible because of the voices and responses of our community.

* * *

more parmesian anyone...?

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

"Once a public forum is established, government may not discriminate against other speakers (. . .)"- The Christian Science Monitor...Sound Familiar?

Cumberland County is not the only place struggling with the place of religious symbols on government property. Check out The Christian Science Monitor's article by Warren Richey on the U.S. Supreme Court deciding another 1o Commandments case- this time in Utah.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0401/p02s01-usju.html?page=1

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Revealing Survey Posted on Crossville Forums

As of March 26, the Crossville Forums survey begins to expose residents' attitudes towards any and all statues on the courthouse lawn.

What do you think should be displayed?

Anything and everything
[ 8 votes ] [12.90%]

Christian items only
[ 5 votes ] [8.06%]

Nothing at all
[ 49 votes] [79.03%]

Just the FSM
[ 0 ] [0.00%] (what? nobody?)

Saturday, March 22, 2008

To Mayor Hill:

Crossville Chronicle Article: Flying Spaghetti Monster takes up residence at county courthouse
http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/homepage/local_story_084161126.html?keyword=leadpicturestory

Interesting article with interesting quote:

"County Mayor Brock Hill said, 'We are basically operating it as a freedom of speech venue. We don't deny the constitutional rights of anyone, but we certainly don't endorse all the displays. I feel the Flying Spaghetti Monster is an effort on the part of non-Christians to try and minimize Christianity and the images that have been placed there. I'll go as far as to say that I think it's an attempt to minimize and ridicule the good intentions of Christians in Cumberland County, but I don't deny their right.' "

With all due respect Mayor Hill- the Flying Spaghetti Monster sculpture is not an attempt to ridicule any religion. It should not be used as an opportunity to play the values of one religion off another. And I think if you read the comments on this blog, it is clear that many many people in our county understand that symbol and agree. Rather, the Spaghetti Monster is intended to create discourse on the role of religion on public property.

I believe strongly in the Constitution of the United States of America. Our Bill of Rights makes us one of the most wonderful nations in the world in which to live. And one of the principles for which our Bill of Rights stands is not placing one religion above another.

I personally do not believe that the courthouse lawn is the place for religious symbols- but if we as a county decide that it is, we have a responsibility to make sure that those who wish to express their diverse beliefs have that opportunity. If we choose to truly make the courthouse an open forum, let us all bring something to the table and enjoy the flavors that each of our backgrounds adds to the local culture.

Spaghetti and meatballs is meant to bring a touch of levity to a serious discourse. The statue has no intention to ridicule. It calls attention to a situation that has deeply concerned many residents over the past two years. Whether made of wood or spaghetti all religious statues are inappropriate for our courthouse lawn.

IMPORTANT SPAGHETTI ANNOUNCEMENT: Pirates Arrived Safely to Cumberland County

It has been confirmed that on March 22, the holy pilgramage taken by Pirates to visit the Flying Spaghetti Monster statue on the courthouse lawn was a beautiful and spiritual experience for all who attended as well as for onlookers.

Pictures will be available shortly. We encourage other Pirates, believers, and non-believers to make the pilgramage and to also worship on the front lawn of the courthouse. SEND PHOTOS!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Thanks

As the sun sets on the first day of this holy six week fast, our efforts to share the vision of the Flying Spaghetti Monster have so far resulted in over 600 votes, and over 50 comments on this blog alone. Across the nation others rejoice over the good work happening in Crossville. Thank you for supporting our freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Happy Flying Spaghetti Monster Day!

All Pastafarians, Rejoice!

Statement at Installation Ceremony
March 21, 2008

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. I respect and am proud that on the people’s lawn, the county courthouse, all of these diverse beliefs can come together in a positive dialogue. Here, we are all able to share the issues close to our hearts whether it is through a memorial to the soldiers killed fighting for our country, the Statue of Liberty honoring our nations welcoming promise to all, a group’s fight to stop homelessness, or powerful symbols of faith. I greatly treasure this open forum between everyone in the community.

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.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

It came to me in a sign....build a statue of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and put it on the courthouse lawn in Crossville Tennessee so that others can share in its beautiful image and learn about Its story........Read about my journey below.

Why is displaying the Flying Spaghetti Monster important?

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster represents many things to many people and yet it is a faith that is often neglected by the general public. When Bobby Hendersen, a devoted Pastafarian, patriotic American, and concerned citizen of Kansas, realized that local students would never even learn about the Spaghedeity in public schools, he was gravely upset. Mr. Hendersen wrote to the school board immediately:

I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

Just as Mr. Hendersen was concerned when Pastafarianism was neglected in public schools, I worry when our courthouse lawn is absent of the Spaghetti Monster's holy image. Many would argue that no type of religious symbols should be put on government property. Those few would say that worshipping should be the decision and act of an individual, and not the government. But I disagree. I am thankful that that is not how it is in Crossville. I believe all of us should share our beliefs on that nicely cut piece of grass on Crossville's Main Street. My only concern is that as it stands now, the Spaghetti Monster and others are absent. By displaying only one type of symbol on our great town's communal property, an atomsphere could be created in which other faiths and ideas are stifled.

I would like to be a voice to spread the love of It and It's teachings. Hunter Thompson stated, "Freedom is something that dies unless it's used." Please follow me on my two month journey to understand more about It's Holy Pilgramage from the Heavens to Crossville and back again.

The Vision

Tonight at dinner as I was staring down at my spaghetti and meatballs I was startled to discover that the remains of spaghetti sauce took the shape of It, the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

It came to me then, that in only a few short weeks, on March 21, is Day of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, followed by six weeks of spaghetti fasting. The six weeks ends with huge festivities on May 1, the Day of National Prayer. It occured to me looking at the holy image of It that stared up at me from my plate that this is indeed a Sign. I sense that I am supposed to build the image of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and display its holy appendages on the Courthouse lawn of my hometown, Crossville Tennessee. There its blessed presence can help all the world celebrate Day of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the six week fast.

Tomorrow I will begin the build. I do not have long to build this sculpture...nor much money to buy the necessary tools to make it worthy of It. Time is also racing...in only a few short weeks is that sacred Friday, March 21.

If you would like to make a donation to help purchase the materials for me to follow my holy vision.

Why March 21?- What is Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Day?

March 21, a Friday on the first day of Spring, is the day the Flying Spaghetti Monster appeared from the giant pasta pot....or so the the Cook Book says. The monster had to cook up the universe because nothing yet existed. As the Flying Spaghetti Monster created everything, there was no food. It created light, and plants, and monkeys, and much much more. However, It began to get hungry. It was almighty and powerful, so It refused to let hunger stop creation. It continued creating butterflies and the ocean, and the sky. The Book describes that the hunger increased, It became dizzy...It tried to continue and just as the Flying Spaghetti Monster was about to create the first Pirate, It passed out from hunger. It realized it did not have the strength to finish creating. It had not eaten since the creating had started several hours before. With the last of Its strength the Flying Spaghetti Monster created a sturdy pot and put on some water to boil from the ocean. The Flying Spaghetti Monster then dropped angel hair pasta into the boiling water. Every moment as It watched the boiling water consume the spaghetti noodles, the Flying Spaghetti Monster felt weaker and weaker. 1 minute passed....then 2...3.....4.....5.....and then just as the Flying Spaghetti Monster was passing into unconciousness the sixth minute passed, and It saw that the spaghetti was perfect. It ate and it ate...and had enough food to share with all of Its creations. The monkeys ate, and the butterflies ate. The Flying Spaghetti Monster threw the perfectly boiled spaghetti into the ocean, into the sky, and into the rich soil where flowers immediately bloomed. Now the Spaghetti Monster sat up strong and with Its new energy It created Women and Men pirates at the exact same time.

And so you see, Spring is the time of the birth of Pirates, the birth of butterflies and monkeys. It is a time to be grateful for creation and life and spaghetti. We fast from ALL spaghetti products for six weeks to represent the six minutes that the Flying Spaghetti Monster waited in hunger and pain without food, and then we celebrate the creation of Pirates in the form of men and women when the fast ends.

The story is told in many ways by many tellers. But as a person of faith this is the version I choose to believe. And so, renewed by the struggle of It, I will not complain that I have been chosen for this building task. Somehow I will find the strength and continue.