Flying Spaghetti Monster...

...the perfect antidote to Intelligent Design, which I discovered via Pharyngula. Lots of interesting discussion on teaching science, politics, and more there.

Here's the beginning of the "Open Letter to Kansas School Board", which started the FSM phenomenon:

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.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

More on FSM & his (its?) church at Uncyclopedia here.

Can you imagine if this actually goes to court in Kansas? The plaintiffs will have to wear full pirate regalia, of course. The better to "bask in his noodlyness and stare agape at his meatitude".

I hope no one thinks I'm mocking Christians with this post. I only mean to mock those that want to include religious-based pseudo-science in public schools. Clearly, scientists need to do a better job of educating and popularizing not just the results of their work, but their methods. Science is qualitatively different from any other other way of looking at the world, and people who think that "Intelligent Design" is just another way of doing science have missed a few crucial points in their education.