Bryan Killian, who one day went to school wearing an eye patch and pirate accessory (um, an inflatable cutlass), was sent home. Now he's fighting back, saying that the school violated his Freedom of religion:
“I feel like my First Amendment was violated,” Killian, 16, said. “Freedom of religion and freedom of expression. That’s what I tried to do, and I got shot down.”
Freedom of religion?
Yes, Killian says, his “pirate regalia” is part of his faith — the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
The parody religion, whose “Pastafarian” members worship a sentient, airborne clump of noodles and meatballs, originated in a letter to the Kansas school board urging it to add the religion to its plans to teach evolution and intelligent design side by side.
(Image credit: Steve Dixon)
How does one get a religion recognized? And recognized by whom? The Govt.? Is there a Ministry of Officially Recognized Religions?