All hail our spaghetti overlord!

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Since we're about Religion Month... Here's what a prank an Austrian guy did the other day. Niko Alm applied for a driving license in Vienna, wearing a plastic colander on his head on the photo. Yep, a strainer for filtering spaghetti! And, surprise-surprise! The application was approved! Because Niko had explained that his strange headgear was a "pastafar", i.e. his religious hat. Here, look for yourselves!

This guy defines himself as an atheist, and follower of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The website of this "movement" says that the only dogma in their doctrine is the rejection of any dogmas.

The Austrian police announced that his photo was approved because it had met the only important requirement: the citizen's face should be perfectly visible on the photo. They also explained that their decision had nothing to do with the guy's religious beliefs.

However, before the issuing of the driving license, Niko had to go through the regular psycho test to prove that he was able to drive a motor vehicle. And even after he passed the test successfully it took about a year for the document to be issued.

The eccentric guy says that since the Austrian authorities allow the issuing of official documents with all sorts of religious hats on the head, he should have the right to demonstrate his faith (or lack of it) as he pleases. I say bravo, Austria! And bravo, Niko. You've set a curious precedent, and touched on a deeper issue about religious tolerance, the freedom of confession and, if you like, on the burqa debate.

Comments

[3fgburner.livejournal.com]

Ra-MEN!

[jlc20thmaine.livejournal.com]

I think it's great. Let's see if he wears the metal strainer during thunder storms.

[thies.livejournal.com]

How does making fun of religion in general by wearing a strainer on your head touch on the burqa debate, whatever that debate might exactly be?

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Plastic. He wouldn't want to be lumped together with those tinfoil wackos. ;)

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

The debate:

- Can a woman wear a burqa on her passport photo? Yes/no.
- If no, can a woman wear a head-cloth on her passport photo? If yes, then why not the burqa?
- If no, can a guy wear a turban on his passport photo? Yes/no.
- If no, can a guy wear a Jew cap (can't remember its name)?
- If no, can they wear a piece of cutlery like this guy?

I think the debate is about defining the borders of acceptable religious symbols one could wear on an official document, and the debate could extend to what clothes are considered "acceptable" to wear in public. What if someone believes in the Sea Mermaid and their religion postulates that they should go around topless? Etc etc. I think it's a worthwhile debate.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

> What if someone believes in the Sea Mermaid and their religion postulates that they should go around topless?

Where can I vote for this?

[jlc20thmaine.livejournal.com]

It's called a skull cap or yarmulke not a Jew cap. Also, catholic priests, including the pop, may wear a zucchetto.

[thies.livejournal.com]

questions that seems very detached from the content of your post... a quick google showed only one government official floating ideas about that a year ago and not really much since. Got any further info on that?

[debergerac.livejournal.com]

wasn't zuchetto one of the marx brothers?

[debergerac.livejournal.com]

too late.

off topic, but does anyone remember devo?

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

A little before my time but I know what you're talking about and yes, there are shades of devo in the headwear. I wonder if they could have made a case for wearing their hats in official ID photos.

Silly superstitions

[montecristo.livejournal.com]

The sillier superstition though, is that an organization which took a year(!) to issue its ridiculous internal passport (drivers license), spends valuable time and resources deciding personal questions for people, like which headgear can be worn in internal passport photos, presumes to track and file everyone's information and keep tabs on their whereabouts, and incidentally claims that it vouchsafes the individual's ability to operate a motor vehicle, is actually necessary for our safety and security. That is superstition for you.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Yes, thanks.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a mafia boss to me.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

OK, and no.

Re: Silly superstitions

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

It actually took 3 years from when he first applied, not a year. Just to make it worse for you :)

Re: Silly superstitions

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

What took them so long?

[thies.livejournal.com]

nice debating, kiddo.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Yay! You successfully shot down 1% of my point. :p

Re: Silly superstitions

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

Well, from what I've read they didn't want to allow it. So they stalled. They made him go under rigorous psychological testing to prove his sanity (lol)and basically passed it around, trying to find a reason to deny his request that didn't go against the ruling they had already made allowing religious headgear in government ID photos (this ruling was the reason he did all this, to prove a point about religion). Eventually they ran out of excuses so they had to allow it.

Re: Silly superstitions

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd been the only one who has followed this story somewhat. Kudos!

Re: Silly superstitions

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Gee. I've only heard rumors that those Austrians are weird, but now I know for sure.

[pastorlenny.livejournal.com]

Those stupid Jews and their stupid caps.

[thies.livejournal.com]

As I'm obviously feeble minded this morning, what are the other 99% of your argument you wanted to have discussed?

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Pastafarian? Pfff hahahaha.