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The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster takes on Russian Orthodox Church in lawsuit – Metro US

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster takes on Russian Orthodox Church in lawsuit

Police were unimpressed with the procession. Credit: Andrey Svitaylo, Metro Moscow Police were unimpressed with the procession.
Credit: Andrey Svitaylo, Metro Moscow

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has emerged as an unlikely challenger to the Orthodox Church in Russia. Last weekend, Russian “pastafarians” gathered in Moscow with their religious equipment: namely colanders. As a result, eight people were taken to the police station after a “Pasta procession” in the center of Moscow. Orthodox activists who called the police said that glorification of the Flying Spaghetti Monster hurt their feelings.

Now Pastafarians are preparing a lawsuit. Metro spoke with their representative, Aleksander Stelkovsky.

Metro: What can people learn from your religion?

Stelkovsky: The most important principle of our religion is common sense. We have a number of commandments, some of them logical, and some are not binding. The commandments are secondary things, the main thing is common sense.

If I eat pasta every day, can I become pastafarian?

Pasta is an analogue of the body of Christ. You can eat pasta every day or not. First of all pastafarianism is a way of thinking. If you eat pasta every day, you can’t go to Heaven. You can eat pasta whenever you want, but it’s better to eat pasta with friends on Friday.

Do you have a public recognition?

We get it step by step. In August 2013, the Russian social network VK places marked pastafarianism among the major religions, which a user can choose in his profile.

What do you think about other alternative religions? How about Invisible Pink Unicorn or Missionary Church of Kopimism?

We are tolerant to other religions. We do not have competitors. We believe that we are right.

And how about your conflict with Russian Orthodox Church?

ROC proved extremely hostile to us. They attacked us and called the police and said that our actions were not authorized by authorities. Now we prepare a lawsuit. This is not a joke. This is hostile action in relation to another faith, a stirring of religious animosity.