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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 11:20 AM Feb 2015

German atheists seek recognition for 'Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster'

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-02-23/german-atheists-seek-recognition-church-flying-spaghetti-monster

February 23, 2015 · 5:30 PM EST
Reporter Matthew Bell


Rüdiger Weida, aka “Bruder Spaghettus”, founded a church dedicated to the worship of “the Flying Spaghetti Monster” in Templin, Germany. Credit: Matthew Bell

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in Rome over the weekend and said she had a “very cordial” meeting with Pope Francis. That’s not so surprising for the daughter of a Lutheran pastor, who recently expressed how her Christian faith had an “important” place in her life.

But these are the kinds of news tidbits that rub Rüdiger Weida the wrong way. He is convinced that religion holds a privileged place in German society and that non-believers lack the same civil rights.

Weida is a 63-year-old retiree who lives in the town of Templin. It’s about an hour’s drive outside of Berlin and happens to be Angela Merkel’s hometown. Templin is also where Weida founded the “Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster,” in September last year. As one of the leading “Pastafarians” at the church, or non-church more accurately, Weida goes by the alias of “Bruder Spaghettus.”

Weekly “Noodle Worship” begins at 10 a.m. Fridays in a small building on Weida’s farmstead on the outskirts of town. It looks and feels somewhat like weekly worship services at mainstream Christian churches. There is an altar, time for prayers, scripture readings, hymns, and even a version of Holy Communion. But the similarities end pretty quickly.

more at link
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German atheists seek recognition for 'Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster' (Original Post) cbayer Feb 2015 OP
"Pastafarians believe in (an) afterlife that includes beer and strippers" DetlefK Feb 2015 #1
Strippers and beer both get stale in short order. cbayer Feb 2015 #2
While being around virgins never gets stale? :D DetlefK Feb 2015 #3
BTW, what do women get in this movement? cbayer Feb 2015 #4
Since when are "strippers" only female? AtheistCrusader Feb 2015 #12
women don't like beer?? Heddi Feb 2015 #15
mmm Saison Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #17
Yes, Saison... Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #32
Sorry to be the heretic here... trotsky Feb 2015 #33
I'm on the opposite end of that spectrum., I guess. Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #41
But that's what makes beer so great. trotsky Feb 2015 #48
Most definitely. Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #55
LMAO @ the last one... n/t trotsky Feb 2015 #56
A good saison is about as close as I'll get to god Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #34
I'm pretty sure that's the one. Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #46
I think that fucking monkey gets around to a lot of websites. Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #50
I have heard glorious tales of mythical beer pipelines laid beneath the streets of Milwaulkee... Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #54
a quote about alcohol guillaumeb Feb 2015 #53
Certainly creative. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #5
I think that as a political statement and an opportunity to ask for equal rights, cbayer Feb 2015 #6
I understand their point but it offensive, amusing, and creative at the same time. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #7
Oh, you did the right thing. It's a parody, nothing more, cbayer Feb 2015 #8
Thanks. i think most got why it was not appropriate. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #9
Scientology started allegedly as a scam, yet it has fervent believers today. AtheistCrusader Feb 2015 #13
I notice that Bruder Spaghettus okasha Feb 2015 #14
lol. after reading more on this group I think I made the right call banning it the prayer circle. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #16
So you are saying Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #18
That is not what she said. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #19
How is it not? Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #20
That is not what she said. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #22
The part in the block is exactly what she said. Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #24
You know what I mean. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #25
Thanks, justin, but don't need to bother yourself with this. cbayer Feb 2015 #26
Yes, by all means it is never you. Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #28
Ah, I thought I would give you a shot. cbayer Feb 2015 #29
Well, I thought I'd give you a shot Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #31
Results of alert MineralMan Feb 2015 #57
Bless your heart for making my position so crystal clear, cbayer Feb 2015 #21
So strippers and beer, in fact, Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #23
Wow, you are right!!! This is most definitely an attempt to attract women…. cbayer Feb 2015 #27
So your argument here is Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #30
Video evidence! Rainforestgoddess Feb 2015 #36
It's not from Family Guy Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #45
I think you might have meant Chippendale Rainforestgoddess Feb 2015 #35
You are so absolutely correct! cbayer Feb 2015 #40
"not something people generally didi on a regular basis" Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #42
Why? hrmjustin Feb 2015 #44
Because it seems like a pretty limited group of friends that she has Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #47
Well from my discussion with cbayer she has a wide circle of diverse friends. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #49
That video is HOT! Goblinmonger Feb 2015 #43
RAMEN! KamaAina Feb 2015 #10
Pointing out religious privilege... MellowDem Feb 2015 #11
Do you think anyone actually believes thos parpody to be a true religion or do you think it hrmjustin Feb 2015 #37
I think it's a joke with a point... MellowDem Feb 2015 #38
But do you believe anyone who says they really believe it? hrmjustin Feb 2015 #39
Not at this point... MellowDem Feb 2015 #51
Thank you for answering my questions. hrmjustin Feb 2015 #52

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)
1. "Pastafarians believe in (an) afterlife that includes beer and strippers"
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 11:37 AM
Feb 2015

Hey, Jihadis!
You get virgins? (What if they are virgins because they have really high standards for what they are looking for in a man?)
We get strippers!!!

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
4. BTW, what do women get in this movement?
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 11:48 AM
Feb 2015

Given a choice, strippers and beer aren't likely to be high on their list.

Heddi

(18,312 posts)
15. women don't like beer??
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 11:10 AM
Feb 2015

That could possibly be one of the top most ridiculous statements I've read in this forum after reading the nonsense about adam's rib being a metaphor for the Y chromosome.

Expand your horizons. Look in bars and restaurants. Women dont just drink foo-foo mixed drink. We actually have grown up tastes and can handle IPA'small and Saissons and all kinds of flavors that are, well, inherent to beer.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
17. mmm Saison
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 01:41 PM
Feb 2015

Have you had Sierra Nevada's Ovila Abbey Saison? Well, of course not because you're a woman, but maybe your husband would like it. Because it's beer.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)
32. Yes, Saison...
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:05 PM
Feb 2015

...wise Pharaoh of Beer, who, sitting atop his beer pyramid, casts judgement upon all lesser beers.

A bar close to campus sells a Belgian Saison (Dupont, I believe... the real deal) on tap. A glass will cost you 10 bucks, but it is the best beer I have ever had in my life... and I've spent time in Germany.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
33. Sorry to be the heretic here...
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:10 PM
Feb 2015

but I can't stand Saison style. Oh I can sip it down if necessary but it's not my preference at all.

Any other style - IPAs, stouts, porters, ANYTHING - over a Saison/farmhouse ale/belgian white.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)
41. I'm on the opposite end of that spectrum., I guess.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:45 PM
Feb 2015

Don't me wrong, I like dark beers. But think I might be one of those people who are a tad sensitive to bitter tastes. I can down a stout as happily as the next Celt, but I'd rather have a root canal than drink IPA.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
48. But that's what makes beer so great.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:52 PM
Feb 2015

So many varieties, there's bound to be one you like.

Unless you're a woman, according to some.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)
55. Most definitely.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 04:40 PM
Feb 2015

There's a beer for every person, for every occasion, for every mood.

On a hot summer's day, a tall glass of hefe-weizen hits the spot.

On a cold winter's night, a dark vanilla or oatmeal stout.

If you need something sturdy to throw at someone, there's Budweiser and Miller.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
34. A good saison is about as close as I'll get to god
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:10 PM
Feb 2015

And I'm a guy that gravitates toward stouts and porters, but, damn.

Are you talking about this one? Because I'll seek it out.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)
46. I'm pretty sure that's the one.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:49 PM
Feb 2015

But I can't be certain because the bar in question must have hired a fucking monkey to code their asinine and unresponsive website.

Hopcat

It has outstanding reviews, though. I'd give that a shot even if it isn't the one I'm talking about. Chances are it is fantastic.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
50. I think that fucking monkey gets around to a lot of websites.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:54 PM
Feb 2015

I'll try track it down, but I basically live in the middle of nowhere so it may take a bit. (OK, to be fair, when I lived in North Dakota I was much closer to nowhere, but, culturally, it's pretty limited here though Wisconsin does know it's beers.)

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)
54. I have heard glorious tales of mythical beer pipelines laid beneath the streets of Milwaulkee...
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 04:36 PM
Feb 2015

If that shit ain't true, it fuckin should be.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
53. a quote about alcohol
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 04:13 PM
Feb 2015

Franklin did write, "Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy."

There. I have included a quote about alcohol, a Founder of the Republic, and god. I just might write a country song about these three things. Maybe that country song could ease the heartache I have suffered since I read your statement:

That could possibly be one of the top most ridiculous statements I've read in this forum after reading the nonsense about adam's rib being a metaphor for the Y chromosome.


cbayer

(146,218 posts)
6. I think that as a political statement and an opportunity to ask for equal rights,
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 12:53 PM
Feb 2015

they make some good points.

The silliness, though, often detracts from the message, imo.

This "beer and strippers" thing above says pretty clearly that this is a boys club, something that activist atheism really needs to move away from.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
7. I understand their point but it offensive, amusing, and creative at the same time.
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 12:55 PM
Feb 2015

I got flack for banning it in the prayer circle.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
8. Oh, you did the right thing. It's a parody, nothing more,
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 01:03 PM
Feb 2015

and those who would bring it into a prayer group only do so to mock.

Don't pay any attention to the flack.

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
13. Scientology started allegedly as a scam, yet it has fervent believers today.
Thu Feb 26, 2015, 10:48 PM
Feb 2015

Glad you're so confident about dismissing pastafarianism.

I ordered my new Ordination wallet id, so I can perform emergency weddings and baptisms.

okasha

(11,573 posts)
14. I notice that Bruder Spaghettus
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 12:21 AM
Feb 2015

does not wear a collander on his head. It seems there are sects and schismatics already.

Expect heresy trials and excommunications soon.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
16. lol. after reading more on this group I think I made the right call banning it the prayer circle.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 12:04 PM
Feb 2015
 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
18. So you are saying
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 01:42 PM
Feb 2015

that there are no male strippers that women go to see and women don't like beer. That's your position, right?

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
20. How is it not?
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 01:53 PM
Feb 2015

I mean, I hope she lets us know for sure what she meant, but she said:

This "beer and strippers" thing above says pretty clearly that this is a boys club


So beer+strippers=boys club? Right? So women don't like strippers or beer. Right?

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
26. Thanks, justin, but don't need to bother yourself with this.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:23 PM
Feb 2015

It's perfectly clear what I said and what I meant.

I could say that it's Friday and an argument would be mounted that I was making a statement that it is Friday everywhere and always will be.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
28. Yes, by all means it is never you.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:49 PM
Feb 2015

It is just us crazy, angry, militant atheists that misinterpret you. For goodness sake it couldn't be what you are saying.

You were saying because they mention strippers and beer that it was aimed at men. Which is just false and ignorant. But do continue.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
29. Ah, I thought I would give you a shot.
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:54 PM
Feb 2015

I'm not interested in being personally attacked by you and your friends. See ya.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
31. Well, I thought I'd give you a shot
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:04 PM
Feb 2015

But, since it is pretty clear that you will never realize that maybe you aren't perfect, see ya.

Well, actually, no. I'm an adult and I can handle disagreement so I have no need to put my fingers in my ears and take my ball with me as I run home.

MineralMan

(146,336 posts)
57. Results of alert
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 05:38 PM
Feb 2015

Since you don't see them unless the post is hidden:

On Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:31 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Yes, by all means it is never you.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1218&pid=184503

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

One of a series of personal attacks by this poster against that poster in this thread. Why can't people make a pointe without personal attacks? Enough.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:35 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Goblinmonster is deliberately pretending to misunderstand what the poster said, just to continue arguing with and bashing the poster. Time to shut this down.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The entire group is full of personal attacks. This one is not even an attack and is way milder than many I've seen in the RG. Leave.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
21. Bless your heart for making my position so crystal clear,
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 01:56 PM
Feb 2015

even though your interpretation is so obviously wrong.

Woman go to see male strippers….. occasionally. I have been to a Chip and Dale's club and found it somewhat entertaining. However, it's an exception and funny primarily because it is an exception.

Strip clubs overwhelmingly cater to men.

Lots of women like beer. I like beer, though not regularly and I am particular about it. There is data (yes, data!) to support that men prefer beer in far greater numbers than women.



Anyway, my point was very simple and painfully obvious. When you are trying to entice women, strip clubs and beer may get you some, but there are much better things to offer if you really want a them to join.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
27. Wow, you are right!!! This is most definitely an attempt to attract women….
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:29 PM
Feb 2015

at least if they are strippers, then they are probably going to get paid.

For your enjoyment:

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
30. So your argument here is
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 02:59 PM
Feb 2015

that because Family Guy did something that supports your point, you are completely right.

Can we use that same logic about Jesus? As long as Family Guy portrays Jesus in a certain light, then that is true, right? Because I have to imagine you aren't overly versed in Family Guy given your attitude toward cartoons in a previous discussion.

And just since we are sharing pictures in an attempt to prove our point:

Though her husband is probably the one that drinks the Miller Lite.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
40. You are so absolutely correct!
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:43 PM
Feb 2015
/

I went to the club in Manhattan twice for bachelorette parties. I also knew a number of the dancers, all of whom were gay. It was funny, but not something people generally didi on a regular basis.
 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
42. "not something people generally didi on a regular basis"
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:46 PM
Feb 2015

You need to get out more or get a different group of friends.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
47. Because it seems like a pretty limited group of friends that she has
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:50 PM
Feb 2015

Limited in scope. I know women and men that don't go to strip clubs, some that do once in a while on a whim (as Ms Bayer indicates), and some that go quite a bit. It's fun having a wide range of friends. Stops me from thinking that the limited life view of the friends I do have is an accurate reflection of the only way the world works.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
37. Do you think anyone actually believes thos parpody to be a true religion or do you think it
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:23 PM
Feb 2015

is all a joke?

MellowDem

(5,018 posts)
38. I think it's a joke with a point...
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 03:40 PM
Feb 2015

Religion gets a lot of privileges in societies that other ideas don't. Taking a silly idea and calling it a religion suddenly gets it all these advantages, or it should if religions are being treated equally, but more than that, it shows that religion shouldn't get special advantages over other ideas.

MellowDem

(5,018 posts)
51. Not at this point...
Fri Feb 27, 2015, 04:10 PM
Feb 2015

It may be that it had to be a true belief to get benefits. But then again, I wouldn't be surprised if one day some people really believes it, with enough passage of time and with the origins obscured enough.

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