2010 Census and FSM
Moderator: All Things Mods
2010 Census and FSM
The 2010 Census is rapidly approaching. Should we as like-minded types decide on a coordinated response to questions of faith? Should we all reply "FSM-ism" or "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" or what? In order to have the most excellent impact we need to all be on the same page.
This will be starting soon, so let's sort it out now.
Kevin
This will be starting soon, so let's sort it out now.
Kevin
- Scott the Pirate
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
I was debating this very choice the other day. I can't decide between "atheist" and "Pastafarian". I bet if you ask the moderator real nicely you could get this moved to the "Demographics" section and we could have a nice little vote on the matter.
Roy Hunter wrote:Then, when you've got to know them a bit and their defences are down, you go all Scott the Pirate on them...
- ET, the Extra Terrestrial
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
I'm going with Pastafarian.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
- Scott the Pirate
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
I'm probably going to go with "Pastafarian" as well, but i feel that "agnostic atheist" ("it's not possible to know" and "No, I don't believe there is one") is closer to the mark.
Roy Hunter wrote:Then, when you've got to know them a bit and their defences are down, you go all Scott the Pirate on them...
- ET, the Extra Terrestrial
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
If you want people to understand that you spurn mainstream religion but nevertheless consider yourself part of a community with a common philosophy, go with Pastafarian. If you want people to wonder WTF you said, go with agnostic atheist. Only about one in a thousand will understand it, and most of the rest will focus on atheist and try to push you into the river.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
- Scott the Pirate
- Corrupter of Youth
- Posts: 7664
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 11:32 pm
- Location: Either on my bike or at the bar in New Hope, MN
Re: 2010 Census and FSM
There's always a good burning....
Roy Hunter wrote:Then, when you've got to know them a bit and their defences are down, you go all Scott the Pirate on them...
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
Is there not a chance that between bad handwriting and lazy readers it will be interpreted as 'Rastafarian'?
Too old to give up but too young to rest - Pete Townshend
I would rather be a rising ape than a falling angel - Sir Terry Pratchett
I would rather be a rising ape than a falling angel - Sir Terry Pratchett
- ET, the Extra Terrestrial
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
Damn. Elijah ought to be along any minute now... 

"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
Re: 2010 Census and FSM
I guess the problem is that even if they get one million Pastafarians they will simply toss it aside as a hoax, which of course it is but equally valid and evidence based as any other religion. On the other hand, it would be great if atheists actually made a good showing this time. It would be good if there was a codified response to heighten impact, no matter which way we decide to do it.
- lordpunkmonk
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
no they won't...
a long time ago hundreds of people wrote down jedi and they had to put it as a demographic
a long time ago hundreds of people wrote down jedi and they had to put it as a demographic
--LPM lord of the apocalypse
"The man with a clear conscience probably has a poor memory." --Lawrence J. Peter
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321
"The man with a clear conscience probably has a poor memory." --Lawrence J. Peter
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321
- Scott the Pirate
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
So are we going with "Pastafarian" then?
Roy Hunter wrote:Then, when you've got to know them a bit and their defences are down, you go all Scott the Pirate on them...
- daftbeaker
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
lordpunkmonk wrote:no they won't...
a long time ago hundreds of people wrote down jedi and they had to put it as a demographic
No they didn't. Snopes.
Personally, I think Pastafarian (Flying Spaghetti Monster) {or Pastafarian (FSM) if short on space} is less likely to be misread than just Pastafarian.
Us limeys/jocks/taffs have got an extra year to think about it and see what happens in the US.
Too old to give up but too young to rest - Pete Townshend
I would rather be a rising ape than a falling angel - Sir Terry Pratchett
I would rather be a rising ape than a falling angel - Sir Terry Pratchett
- Scott the Pirate
- Corrupter of Youth
- Posts: 7664
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 11:32 pm
- Location: Either on my bike or at the bar in New Hope, MN
Re: 2010 Census and FSM
I'm putting either "Pastafarian" or "Athiest"...now to decide which..
Roy Hunter wrote:Then, when you've got to know them a bit and their defences are down, you go all Scott the Pirate on them...
- fueledbycoffee
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
I'd be tempted to put down "Satanist" if I could, just for funsies. I'd say out of the two, Atheist. Put down Pastafarian, odds are the next day the DEA'll come a'knockin'.
Vote Pieces for Pope! She didn't buy me off with the funny hat, I swear!... She made me a cardinal.
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Re: 2010 Census and FSM
fueledbycoffee wrote:I'd be tempted to put down "Satanist" if I could, just for funsies. I'd say out of the two, Atheist. Put down Pastafarian, odds are the next day the DEA'll come a'knockin'.
Wouldn't be any big deal here, nothing to find. I'll be amazed if they census me anyhow. Nothing as interesting as that ever happens up here. The big excitement in town this week is watching Todd put in his new fence.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
("Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.")
-- Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805)
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
-- Philip K Dick
What happens when all the renewable energy runs out?
-- Victoria Ayling
English isn't much of a language for swearing. When I studied Ancient Greek I was delighted to discover a single word - Rhaphanidosthai - which translates roughly as "Be thou thrust up the fundament with a radish for adultery."
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