Sir, – Rev Patrick G Burke is exercised over whether Pastafarianism is a religion (June 18th). He tells us: "It is not. It is fiction for the sole purpose of mocking religion."
None of us likes having our deeply held views made light of. Nevertheless, let us not forget our religious values by ascribing base motives to others in such a cavalier manner.
Pastafarianism arose from a letter written to the Kansas state board of education protesting against its decision to allow the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in public-school science classes. Its “sole purpose” was not to mock religion. Its aim was to prevent the teaching of dogma as science. Many would consider this a noble endeavour.
On the question of whether Pastafarianism is a religion, it certainly meets many dictionary definitions as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe. If Wikipedia is to be believed, it is recognised as a religion in Poland, The Netherlands and New Zealand. I would be inclined to insist that it should have believers before following their example. – Yours, etc,
PAT MURPHY,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
A chara, – When people assert that the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is not a proper church and Pastafarianism is not a proper religion, I am fairly certain John Hamill does not take offence (June 21st). He probably chuckles to himself. It is, after all, another outing for his little joke. However, when Mr Hamill concludes his correspondence to you with the reference to a "carpenter-based religion", many tens of thousands who read it will actually and sincerely feel offence and hurt. What is worse, perhaps, is that Mr Hamill knows that, yet felt the need to use those words. Pasta-based religions, or more properly their leadership, should consider loving their neighbours a little more. – Yours, etc,
GP McHUGH,
Belfast.