The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM)

Satire is one of my favorite forms of writing. The sarcastic side of me enjoys the careful art of exaggeration and extremely ridiculousness that is involved. However, I don't think I ever read a satire I did not at least partly agree with...until a few days ago.

I was first introduced to the concept of intelligent design at a D-Now I led a year ago. I must admit, I have not researched the details of it, but I know that it has caused controversy in my home state of Kansas; not surprising considering it mixes faith with science. I was amused and appalled all at once to learn of a satirical character known as the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

If you don't know the details, I encourage you to research more, but basically someone wrote a letter claiming that he believed intelligent design was not by the God of Christianity or any other major religion, but instead by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The letter mocks the idea of the universe being created by an unseen God. (see link in title)

"Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. 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. ...He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is...what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease."

1 Corinthians 1:17-25 quickly came to mind. The Cross (and really all God's Word) is foolishness to those who are perishing. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I am able to begin to fathom God's Word and the great mysteries it entails. As annoyed as I was with the idea of the FSM, it so clearly illustrates Paul's point. How foolish we must look to others! Do I care that others see us, see me, as foolish? Honestly, sometimes I do.

God really used this FSM idea to remind me of how His wisdom and ways are truly higher than my ways, than earthly understanding (Isaiah 55:9). How easily I can forget that. I let my life reflect the values of the world so that things make sense logically. I do not worship any pasta deities, but I often do fall short in my faith as I trade God’s plan for my life for a more conventional story. I try to justify what I think fits the world AND my faith. However, God has not asked me to understand all those hard topics that seem contradictory by logic or science – creation, trinity, etc. I am humbled and reminded of Job’s confession. "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." Job 42:3