Fisticuffs wrote:
That actually covers a lot of ground - is the question... 1) Should any form of creation myth be taught in school as fact? 2) Should various creation myths be taught in school as a study of world religion/philosophy? 3) Should any form of creation myth be taught in school in a scientific context? My answers are (1) definitely no, (2) definitely yes, and (3) definitely no. As far as pastafarianism goes, it probably merits about 5 seconds in number 2 as a jumping-off point for discussion - not necessarily memorizing the tenets or the history (since what's the point), but maybe why it exists, what purpose does it serve in modern communication, etc.
Pastafarianism, unlike other creation myths, is not meant to be believed. It is a satire on the others. Accordingly, it is a contribution to the debate on 1)-3), not something to be discussed as a religion under 2).
John Carson