GODLESS WEDNESDAY: Federal Judge Declares Secular Humanism A Religion

This is interesting news that seems perfect for Godless Wednesday. Think Progress reports that a federal judge has ruled that secular humanism must be considered a religion, and that its adherents must be granted the same special rights that the state offers to religious people.

On Thursday, October 30, Senior District Judge Ancer Haggerty issued a ruling on American Humanist Association v. United States, a case that was brought by the American Humanist Association (AHA) and Jason Holden, a federal prisoner. Holden pushed for the lawsuit because he wanted Humanism — which the AHA defines as “an ethical and life-affirming philosophy free of belief in any gods and other supernatural forces” — recognized as a religion so that his prison would allow for the creation of a Humanist study group. Haggerty sided with the plaintiffs in his decision, citing existing legal precedent and arguing that denying Humanists the same rights as groups such as Christianity would be highly suspect under the Establishment Clause in the U.S. Constitution, which declares that Congress “shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” 

“The court finds that Secular Humanism is a religion for Establishment Clause purposes,” the ruling read.

This is an excellent deelopment. Although I do not support the privileged position religion is granted in our society, if that is the situation we have to deal with right now then I support other belief systems like Pastafarianism, secular humanism or even agnosticism be treated like religion as well, if it means that their adherents will receive the same special treatment other religions like Christianity currently receive.

GODLESS WEDNESDAY: Pastafarians Can Get CA State ID With Religious Headgear

rAmen! In a statement demonstrating the implications of religious freedom for church-state interaction, a California man named Christopher Beard Vannote has been able to get a state-issued driver's license wearing religious headgear. This would not be notable, except for the fact that Vannote is a Pastafarian, so his religious headgear is a colander!

Holy Flying Spaghetti Monster!

GODLESS WEDNESDAY: Pastafarian Sworn In Wearing Colander On Head

The picture at the top of this post has been getting a lot of attention because it shows an elected politician getting sworn into office wearing a colander on his head.  Christopher Schaeffer was elected as a councilman in the city of Pomfret, New York and he is wearing a colander because he is a Pastafarian, and a minister in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. H

Hemant Mehta has an interview with Schaeffer which is informative:

It has come to my attention that my religion has become a topic of debate. Although it is not in my nature to discuss my religion unless asked about it, I do not want my beliefs to be a distraction to this board while it carries out its duties. Therefore I have prepared this statement.

My religion encourages adherents to wear the holy headgear under certain situations; the taking of official pictures is one of these situations. I did not take this action out of disrespect for the office, quite the opposite I have great respect for this country and the citizens of Pomfret. Our constitution allows for, we the citizens, to practice our religions without fear of oppression. This was one of the greatest gifts our forefathers left us.

I do not ask that you accept the beliefs of my religion, I do ask you to treat it with the same dignity and respect that I treat yours. I will not apologize for the beliefs and customs of my religion. Even though my religion is satirical, that does not make it any less valid than any other.

Read that last line again: "Even though my religion is satirical, that does not make it any less valid than any other." There is an important point to be made here. If society allows people to claim that firmly held religious belief impacts public policy for others than what is to stop other people creating religions to align with whatever public policy belief they want to promote?

In the case of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster this is their doctrine:

Pastafarianism is a real religion.

Most of us do not believe a religion – Christianity, Islam, Pastafarianiasm – requires literal belief in order to provide spiritual enlightenment. That is, we can be part of a community without becoming indoctrinated. There are many levels of belief.

By design, the only dogma allowed in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the rejection of dogma. That is, there are no strict rules and regulations, there are no rote rituals and prayers and other nonsense. Every member has a say in what this church is and what it becomes.

This may be a Church I can believe in!