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Kid suspended for wearing Pirate garb to school, claims it's his religion

metro.co.uk — "A student has been suspended from school in America for coming to class dressed as a pirate. But the disciplinary action has provoked controversy – because the student says that the ban violates his rights, as the pirate costume is part of his religion. Bryan Killian says that he follows the Pastafarian religion..."

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REBOP, on 10/12/2007, -247/+28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastafarian

Crazy ass ***** man. But hey, Its America. We shouldnt care that much.
- satanatnmtedu, on 10/12/2007, -19/+198It is satire.
- jon02129, on 10/23/2007, -27/+452I, for one, welcome our new flying, noodle-y overlord.
- dcmjzero, on 10/12/2007, -18/+75ARR.
- Kratisto, on 10/12/2007, -34/+53Rebop, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism (also known as Pastafarianism) is a religious satyr. One of my personal favorites, at that. This article is epic.
- dfltr, on 10/23/2007, -8/+295may you be touched by His noodly appendage, ramen.
- Netmindstorm, on 10/23/2007, -12/+147I heard his favorite class is "RRRT"
- musicfreak21, on 10/23/2007, -9/+104I used that line all the time. When I was in school I would always tell the teacher that homework was against my religion. It was funnier because I went to a private Christian school.
- jus1haz2, on 10/12/2007, -36/+20HAHAHA So ***** awesome!! lol We should all join him!
- glock22ownr, on 10/23/2007, -3/+220I love wikipedia ...
  
  [ According to the Pastafarian belief system, pirates are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians. Their image as "thieves and outcasts" is misinformation spread by Christian theologians in the Middle Ages. Pastafarianism says that they were in fact "peace-loving explorers and spreaders of good will" who distributed candy to small children. ]
- qber, on 10/23/2007, -4/+214@Kratisto
  A satyr is a half man, half goat in Greek mythology. Satire is a literary technique.
- Dumbledorito, on 10/23/2007, -5/+84@Kratisto: "Rebop, Flying Spaghetti Monsterism (also known as Pastafarianism) is a religious satyr."
  
  I thought a religious satyr was Pan.
- macmcrae, on 10/12/2007, -18/+7This is without doubt one of the seven signs of the pastafarian apocalypse. For he is the fsm messiah. Funny how all of the prophets thought he would be a powerful ragu ceo or a fatass military leader. But no he turned out to be a weak but snotty high school kid who is a bad judge of ironic humor. After all, everybody knows that pirates have their own religion and messiah. (Mr. Depp)
- DRock4776, on 10/23/2007, -4/+62Video of Flying Spaghetti Monster sighting in Germany:
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL7FcvEydqg
- Kratisto, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16Curses for relying upon a firefox spellcheck. Thanks for correcting me (although it's too late for me to edit my comment).
- brianez21, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4Damn you digg and your inability to delete or preview comments!
- Birdoftruth, on 10/12/2007, -29/+4Wow the fact people actually do follow it (so much for satyr) leads me to believe those people who dress up as pirates aren't going to get laid anytime soon
- tippmann1, on 10/12/2007, -3/+28Did anyone else notice that this happened in North Carolina but the article is on a UK website?
- jamessavik, on 10/12/2007, -29/+81If we as Americans are going to tolertate Catholicism, a thinly disguised orginization of child molesters, then why the ***** are we giving Flying Spaghetti Monster-ists a hard time???
- teethman, on 10/12/2007, -3/+62Finally, a religion that makes sense for me.
- neoform, on 10/12/2007, -6/+41http://www.irreligion.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/fsm-rape.jpg
- KiLLB0T, on 10/12/2007, -89/+5@jon02129
  "I, for one, welcome our new flying, noodle-y overlord."
  
  You should have given Kent Brockman some credit for that quote since I know that's where you got it from:
  
  "I, for one, welcome our new ant overlords."
  - Kent Brockman
- broeks, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4yarr where's my calculatorrrrrrr
- slicedoranges, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5@ rebop
  You're retarded
- 360modena, on 10/12/2007, -4/+37@Killb0t
  errr... welcome to the Internet, man.
- Cleanlyness, on 10/12/2007, -19/+3lol uk satire making fun of America? oh that is rich.
  
  britain is the land of the blind
- titlesaysitall, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6Pft! I came to school (not Halloween) as a Ninja and everyone thought i was a terrorist but I was suspended, or expelled, or shot at.
- Konstantino, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20I love the fact that the article has a caption stating "A man in full pirate regalia" while completely ignoring the fact that it's a scene taken from Pirate of the Caribbean. I think if you're smart enough to read an article, you're smart enough to know what a pirate outfit looks like.
- REBOP, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2All i meant by the first comment was he should be free to do that sort of thing if he wants. We shouldn't care as a society what someone wants to wear to school. He'll grow out of it.
- maiku00, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10I have been touched by his noodley appendage
- joeydoo, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4Much as I like bowing down to suckle on the Flying Spaghetti Monster's teat of knowledge.
  Many people are retarded. Remember Xenu? Sure it was fun for while, it messed with the other religions collective heads, which is great. But then........well..........lets just say irony is a bitter mistress.
- marshall007, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6all hail, king of the marinara sauce
- Osjpr, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4"I love wikipedia ...
  
  [ According to the Pastafarian belief system, pirates are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians. Their image as "thieves and outcasts" is misinformation spread by Christian theologians in the Middle Ages. Pastafarianism says that they were in fact "peace-loving explorers and spreaders of good will" who distributed candy to small children. ]"
  
  XD Best religion ever. Or at least as good as Jedi religion.
- luigi1015, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14This kid better be glad he didn't come across a ninja.
- jetsetgo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5@neoform
  
  Thats just more Christian propoganda. Will they stop at nothing to persecute our lord?
- nazsco, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastafarian
  >> Crazy ass ***** man. But hey, Its America. We shouldnt care that much.
  
  au contraire. You should teach it in schools instead of factual science. Along with PI=3.
- JoCliMe, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2"If we as Americans are going to tolertate Catholicism, a thinly disguised orginization of child molesters"
  Yes, because all Catholics are child molesters.
  But irregardless (i know that's not a word) I get tired of people playing their "cards" the religion card, the race card, etc. Also, satire of this isn't always funny. Also, shouldn't the kid have waited till September to do it? That's when pirates are in season.
- tamrix, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2lol so much crazy ***** happens in america, whenever i see the word america i just start laughing, cause that country is so funny!!!
Plasmatica, on 10/12/2007, -129/+14As an atheist, I don't think this was really a good statement. I'm sure they would've done the same if a Christian came to school dressed as Jesus with a robe on and a thorny crown on his head with fake blood dripping down his face.

Yeah, disruptive.
- REBOP, on 10/23/2007, -11/+179Dressing as Jesus is not part of Christianity though.
- TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -5/+74yeah, impersonating a deity isn't very religious at all
- fani, on 10/12/2007, -38/+8So, what your saying is - dressing in atheist clothes viz. normal daily clothes is also in conflict as its the atheistic practice ...er.. religion... thing...
  
  Which means - everyone has to come naked !!! Hooray.
  
  I kid ! I kid !
- ridgelawrence, on 10/12/2007, -16/+11I think the kid is putting out a good message, Just like the kid that came to school with the shirt saying demeaning about gays (i think?) and he said it was part of his religion.
- acdcfanbill, on 10/12/2007, -1/+53nor was the kid dressing in spaghetti.
- brianez21, on 10/12/2007, -3/+38Meh, I think he just did it for the lolz =)
- Firanide, on 10/12/2007, -7/+10Like this kid?
  
  http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Pennsylvania_boy_sues_school_for_banning_Jesus_Halloween_costume
- SamsLembas, on 10/12/2007, -8/+63They allow Muslims to wear turbans.
- Crass22, on 10/12/2007, -7/+30My Religion tells me to smoke pot, but the federal govermeent wont listen to me!
- SilentSpyder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14what if he came in dressed as a hasidic Jew?
- JurneyAhed, on 10/12/2007, -3/+28@SamsLembas
  
  Muslims don't wear turbans - Sikhs do. At least, if you're generalising. Although it's also cultural (e.g. in Iran it's viewed as a sign of religious status).
- klawz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+16@JurneyAhed
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turban
  
  "Turbans are worn by Muslim scholars (ulema) in many countries."
  but the Wiki also goes on to say...
  "In Western countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, etc., men seen wearing turbans in public are likely to be Sikhs, who wear turbans to cover the long uncut hair worn as a sign of their commitment to the Sikh faith."
  
  (not saying your wrong, but perhaps you can contribute to the Wiki)
- jetsetgo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3@crass22
  
  Look up Church of Reality they've filed forms to receive that status after a religion in the midwest got permission to use some kind of psychedelic tea to "experience god"
Trylen, on 10/23/2007, -5/+104to quote the FSM 3 "I'd really rather you didn't"

# I'd Really Rather You Didn't Judge People For The Way They Look, Or How They Dress, Or The Way They Talk, Or, Well, Just Play Nice, Okay? Oh, And Get This In Your Thick Heads: Woman = Person. Man = Person. Samey = Samey. One Is Not Better Than The Other, Unless We're Talking About Fashion And I'm Sorry, But I Gave That To Women And Some Guys Who Know The Difference Between Teal and Fuchsia.

why can't other religions accept this kind of acceptance?
- nairanvac, on 10/12/2007, -0/+34Crap. I know the difference between teal and fuschia. Should I be worried?
- stupidverizon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+28Not unless you have a walk-in closet and everything is color coded and arranged in order for each day of the week.
- guitarh3ro, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3A kid was suspended from my school yesterday for stripping in class. Unfortunately, it was a guy.
- sarmatt, on 10/26/2007, -0/+0Interestingly
  http://artgalery.blogspot.com/
stan205, on 10/23/2007, -12/+111The kid was wearing an eye patch, not full regalia:

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770328123

The kid should do something about it as I find it distracting when people wear crosses around their neck. As a school, if you are going to have a policy it must be a standard across all religions.

here's the schools page: http://buncombe.schoolwires.com/nbhs/site/default.asp
- heatmiser, on 10/15/2007, -98/+12>> The kid should do something about it as I find it distracting when people wear crosses around their neck
  
  What are you retarded or something? Distracted by a cross? please...
- stan205, on 10/12/2007, -3/+35@heatmiser
  Yes, I wear a helmet actually.
- 0Chaos0, on 10/12/2007, -11/+2Oh and don't forget, he's hardcore also with his inflatable cutlass!
- accelleron, on 10/12/2007, -20/+39"What are you retarded or something? Distracted by a cross? please..."
  
  No, actually I'm distracted by the pretentious, bigoted pricks I most often see wearing one.
  ...Or are you going to send the Inquisition after me?
- Spirork13, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26I know a kid who goes to school every Friday dressed in full pirate attire, got a fake parrot on his shoulder and everything.
- parax, on 10/12/2007, -3/+65@accelleron
  
  Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
- phynodedotnet, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1@Tenebrous
  
  Tell that to the Buddhists.
- RedKiteFlying, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6I live in Buncombe County. People in Weaverville have NO sense of humor.
- tippmann1, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9The Inquisition! What a show! The Inquisition! Here we go
- Nighttime, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Does that include all religious dress? How about veils for female students?
- merreborn, on 10/12/2007, -5/+42"Buncombe County Schools says the eye patch was disruptive to classroom instruction. The student’s refusal to take it off after four warnings led to discipline, the district said....
  
  An eye patch is no more disruptive than a Christian cross around one’s neck, [the student] said.
  
  His teachers saw it the same way, he said, but Assistant Principal Sarah Cooley didn’t. She assigned him two days of in-school suspension before calling his home to add out-of-school suspension."
  
  That's *****. I showed up to class in drag a couple times, for the sole purpose of *being* disruptive, in highschool. No one cared.
  
  A kid wearing an eyepatch is not disruptive. Even the kid's teachers agree. The assistant principal is just being a douche.
- eclectro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13The courts have ruled in the past that freedom of expression is not absolute in a classroom;
  http://www.modrall.com/articles/article_13.html
  
  The purpose of going to school is to learn, not make a stand for your religion whatever it may be. This is gonna be laughed out of the courts and his suspension is going to stand.
  
  BTW, if he wore a FSM necklace nobody would have given a flying crap.
- Nighttime, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8@eclectro I agree with you. All religions should be kept out of school, practice what you want on your own time. I don't think any religious symbols belong in a public school.
- CarlosReyes, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9wtf is in-school suspension.. sort of defeats the purpose really...
- mgroat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13"The kid should do something about it as I find it distracting when people wear crosses around their neck."
  
  If this particular school has a "no-jewelry" policy, I'd agree with you. The school should have one dress-code, and not make special exceptions for certain religions. Otherwise, you end up with debates about what counts as a "real" religion and what is just "made up."
- jono10, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Arr, heres a parrot for the Pirate, Arr
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19dlDqLbZ9s
  
  And for those that care heres Bubby the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo playing the WII
  (shameless plug, yes he is mine)
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agmxcyANggU
- Hooj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10@merreborn
  
  "I showed up to class in drag a couple times, for the sole purpose of *being* disruptive, in highschool."
  
  You sure that was the sole purpose?
- tylerjames, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7@mgroat - "Otherwise, you end up with debates about what counts as a "real" religion and what is just "made up." "
  
  And then you end up with a debate about what the difference is.
- Loonacy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6What's so far-fetched about being distracted by someone wearing a cross around their neck? Just think about what that cross represents. It represents an incredibly brutal and painful method of execution. How is that NOT distracting?
- ejtttje, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Here's my response to the principal (Jack Evans) and asst. principal in question (Sarah Cooley):
  ----------------------
  As a fellow Pastafarian, I would like to voice support for Bryan Killian and hope you will reconsider your baseless persecution of our religious minority. The eye patch is not only a sacred religious symbol to our religion, but also a medical device! Will you be suspending students who have had eye surgery next because their eye patches are too disruptive? Crutches get in the way a lot too, they could even be considered a fire hazard when left in the aisle next to the students seat. Anyone with a sprained ankle should just stay out of sight until they are no longer different than anyone else. And I'm sure wheel chairs must be right out of the question at your school!
  
  Either ban all religious icons or realize that you have to accept other people's beliefs and differences. This is as much a lesson for the students as yourselves. You don't get to decide which religions are "valid"; that's what leads to problems like we have in the Middle East. Either admit they're all distracting and cause pointless segregation and strife and should all be banned, or teach tolerance and understanding.
  
  [links to venganza.org, digg article, etc.]
  -----------------------
  Write your own! Contact info is found on the school's page:
  http://buncombe.schoolwires.com/nbhs/site/default.asp
- insomniac8400, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I'm offended by people who were crosses around their necks. I find it very insulting to society.
sweetrelease, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.
SomeManbeapig, on 10/12/2007, -20/+8Its my religion! My god is piratebay.org!
ARR
fluidfoundation, on 10/12/2007, -49/+11Its so funny to me when people do stuff to purposefully test the system, and are shocked when their admittedly ***** story isn't taken seriously. Way to make your self fulfilling prophecy.

Gold star for you, ass.
- clownguyx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+31You are right that he was probably just testing the system. Although, who determines the person that gets to be the judge of that? I don't think anyone should have the right to judge our sincerity to a religion or belief, and certainly not an administrator of a public school.
- drmangrum, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10um, did you read the article, or just the synopsis up top?
- KOSmurfy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+27I didn't get the feeling he was testing anything. What I got from it was a commentary on how ridiculous it is to use religion as an excuse for being above rules or laws as some religious people feel they should be.
- fluidfoundation, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2@drmangrum: nope, read the article (people do actually do that sometimes). opinion still stands.
  
  @clownguyx: I'm of the opinion that if you put yourself out there like that, everyone is allowed to make their judgment. Instead of arguing semantics, lets just call a spade a spade and see the intent behind this. He was repeatedly warned, and he failed to follow that warning. If he has a real complaint, then he goes through real channels to get his religion officially recognized at the school. Instead, he decided to push his stunt further. The question isn't whether its a viable religion or not, its not going through the channels every other religion would in order to get something like pirate garb approved.
  
  Yar.
- upnortherik, on 10/12/2007, -7/+4'...how ridiculous it is to use religion as an excuse for being above rules or laws as some religious people feel they should be.'
  
  Such as intelligent design being taught in schools?
- KOSmurfy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11"Such as intelligent design being taught in schools?"
  
  That's not really what I had in mind. I was talking about people who think dress codes and workplace/school policies don't apply to them because they have religious freedom. With ID, they're using a different ***** argument.
- subscriber, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7@fluid "The question isn't whether its a viable religion or not, its not going through the channels every other religion would in order to get something like pirate garb approved."
  
  I have seen women wearing religious headgear at schools in the U.S., and I'm pretty they did not have go through channels to get their garb approved. They just show up wearing it, and if the school has a problem with it, they let them know. Then, of course, they go to the courts to declare they are being denied their religious freedom. Pretty much like the case with this FSM student.
  
  Some schools in Europe prohibit women from wearing Muslim attire.
spect3r, on 10/12/2007, -7/+7This website is bunk... not really a news site...
- dkarlson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Makes sense. For a sec I was really surprised that MSM got something right about FSM.
Lunarshadow, on 10/12/2007, -4/+61This kid is my hero. RAmen.
- Kevmo68, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Ramen indeed sir! :)
- howzitgoin88, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2This kid is my hero too... For the dressing up like a pirate, not the weird religion thing...
virtualball, on 10/12/2007, -35/+6This my friends is a reason to spank your children when they are young :)
- clownguyx, on 10/12/2007, -4/+29You need a reason?
RabidEhm, on 10/12/2007, -8/+18If it wasn't for the "man in full pirate regalia", I'd have no clue what one looks like.
- ch33sehead, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The kid wasn't even in full pirate regalia. All he had was an eyepatch and an inflatable cutlass.
Cam_86, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19"...and quite a lot to do with his repeated refusal to heed warnings against wearing pirate outfits."

Repeated... That kid seems pretty devout. Kinda ironic, considering the devout christians in that area prob. get respect, even if most of there religion seems wacky(and unlike Pastafarism, its trying to be taken seriously.)
- pkulak, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2What??? It's not trying to be taken seriously. It's trying to be as ridiculous as possible to the point of being automatically discounted. After you dismiss it though, the hope is that you'll see the overwhelming similarities to your own religion.
- Fafnir43, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Quote: "(and *unlike* Pastafarism, its trying to be taken seriously.)", emphasis added.
drmangrum, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3That is friggin hilarious!
hotinhurr, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1I'm not sure this story is for real?!
- jexdawg, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Did you figure that out by yourself?
feez, on 10/21/2007, -72/+6this is the most ridiculous thing EVAR. only in the US can you find people making up religions. our kids really are going to hell.
- upnortherik, on 10/23/2007, -3/+80'only in the US can you find people making up religions.'
  
  This has been happening all over for ages.
- Tyorant, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26@feez: Don't be so sure, we British have accepted The Way Of The Jedi as a fully fledged religion for years now...
  You know, some people still call it crazy that adults wield plastic retractable light-sabers around the streets.
- dkarlson, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14I consider myself a Christian, and I find FSM to be hilarious. Pure comedic genius, really.
- shirosamurai, on 10/12/2007, -2/+35@feez
  
  I see you have not yet embraced His Noodly Appendage. Do not fret; your time will come.
- parax, on 10/12/2007, -4/+31I'm pretty sure a couple thousand years ago they made one up in Israel.
- acdcfanbill, on 10/12/2007, -1/+26gosh I dunno, I think it's more widespread than America. Martin Luther invented a religion in Germany, Henery VIII in england, Haile Selassie I in Ethopia. And speaking of crazy religions and the US, why not L Ron Hubbard.
- sweetrelease, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21Yah, all religions were made up at one point in time. There was a time before Christianity, someone had to decide to turn following some guy walking around in sandals into a religion.
  
  I also find it strange how people crediting God with their accomplishments is taken so easily in stride. If a Navy general went on TV and credited Poseidon for his latest victory how would people react to that? It would absolutely be different than if he thanked God.
- Poco, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22Um, people have been making up religions, well, since the first religion.
- Desslok, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14"this is the most ridiculous thing EVAR. only in the US can you find people making up religions. our kids really are going to hell. "
  
  Really? I thought just about everything except scientology came from Europe, Asia, and Africa. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Greco-Roman paganism, Norse paganism, Wicca, etc.
- wageslaven, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11"only in the usa" do christians have some kind of martyr complex. you have more religion in the USA than anywhere else in the Western World.
  
  Your right, only in the USA do people BOTHER to make up religions -- EU, Canada, Australia, Asia have mostly all given up on the god fantasies -- what is wrong with YOU?
Tyorant, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I'm seriously considering taking on this religion to have the same excuse.
waterboy1628, on 10/12/2007, -1/+45I want to eat his god.
- Gizza, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Blasphemy!!!
pegothejerk, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2@rebop "Dressing as Jesus is not part of Christianity though."

If more versions of Christianity gave the option, I would have looked more seriously at joining the sect with the hottest girls in linen robes and sandles. Taking her beard off could be the first step in the "holy communion" back at my pad after church.
Earlofnecromium, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Let him wear the pirate costume, :)
Sheir, on 10/23/2007, -3/+71Pastacution at its worst.
KnightMareInc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Hallowed are the Pasta
- Hellmark, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Hallowed be thy pasta. Come on, at least get it right!
  
  May you be touched by his noodly appendage.
- KnightMareInc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3no, I got it right.Its a lame stargate joke really.
- rksprst, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Referring to the Ori, I believe.
  
  *back to watching stargate
j4son, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0This chair is high, says I.
jamesallen74, on 10/12/2007, -8/+0When I took a look at this kid's picture, I thought...Future Gas Station Worker Association Member
- nestafett, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0where is his picture at?
dvddesign, on 10/12/2007, -3/+48I chose to remain Spagnostic purely out of my belief in Ninjas. Until the FSM can adopt better standards for those who believe in the way of the Ninja, I shall remain aloof.
- Brightside, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7I agree. Maybe there will one day be a branch for Pastafarians who believe in the power of a ninja.
- Flashman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Spagnostic... great word, only 5 google hits too.
- Gizza, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I don't see why not. Christians split into Catholics and Protestants, Islam split into Shia and Sunnis, why can't Pastafarians split into those of the Pirates and those of the Ninjas.
Dumbledorito, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14HallelujARRR!
ttony, on 10/12/2007, -13/+7Do we have to be alerted every time some kid gets suspended somewhere in the country? I really don't give a ***** anymore.
- upnortherik, on 10/12/2007, -13/+1Did you miss the title? 'Kid suspended...'
  
  Moron.
plutonium83, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17Religion aside, why can't the guy wear a pirate outfit? I don't think its threatens national security or is a proclamation of bigotry. If you saw someone dressed up as a pirate at school you'd think the guy was a little eccentric, but not threatening or aggressive as to warrant a suspension.
- qwickone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4That's why they suspended him for being distracting instead of for being a threat.
Hetman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+24I agree if people can wear crosses they should be able to dress up as pirates. Also jewish people where those little hats and im sure they wouldnt kick those people out. Secondly more pirates = less global warming. Chew on that al gore.
- insomniac8400, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2 I always thought it was ***** how a jewish person was allowed to keep his hat on while any other student with a hat was forced to take it off when entering the school building.
nestafett, on 10/12/2007, -17/+3The kid is obviously going to lose because there are qualifiers for claiming doing something under religious freedom.
a. it must be a real religion. (not a satire of religion)
i guess thats the biggest one, otherwise i could say im a cannibisian and smoke pot.

i do think it was stupid of the school though, why not let the kid dress up as a pirate? how would that disrupt school? I went to grade school in the mid nineties and they didnt stop us from wearing neon clothes, hammer pants, and hypercolor shirts and those got to be as distracting as a pirate costume.
stop trying to control everything teachers and administrators!
- upnortherik, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28How does one define a 'real religion'? Has to be at least a thousand years old or something? This is absurd.
- Hetman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+21Rastafarians can smoke pot. And it is a real religion.
- Hetman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Cannibism that sounds like you eat humans.
- JorgeGT, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22Real religion is an oxymoron. It's a religion if you have faith in it, nothing more.
- upnortherik, on 10/12/2007, -0/+22Which is extremely easy to gauge with our handy FAITH-O-METER.
- Hetman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9First someone has to me martyred and then it can be an official religion. I hope this pirate kid wants to take on for the team.
- rhavenn, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15As another post pointed out. What defines "religion"? Personally, if he can't wear an eye patch then you can't wear your cross, your neighbor can't wear his yamika and the Muslim dude down the street can't carry his little knife. All of those are symbols of faith and none of them, including the eye patch, bother anyone else. If you're going to ban one, ban them all.
  
  Yes, is the kid full of ***** in his belief? Probably. However, who's to say that all other religions are not just as full of *****? In this country the Christian majority rules, but Islam and Hindu outnumber it around the world.
  
  Where does it stop?
- plushllama, on 10/12/2007, -7/+0Perhaps a "real" religion is one that isn't an obvious satire.
  
  By which I mean that "Pastafarianism" is an obvious satire and thus is NOT a "real" religion.
  
  @rhavenn
  
  Perhaps you mean yarmulka, otherwise known as a kippah. Also, the Sikh wear knives and Muslims do not.
- rajulkabir, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4@rhavenn: "if he can't wear an eye patch then you can't wear your cross, your neighbor can't wear his yamika and the Muslim dude down the street can't carry his little knife"
  
  Dude, it's Sikhs that carry the little knife. Muslims carry bombs. Don't you read the papers?
- azimir, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2FAITH-O-METER (US version)
  
  Pagan & Going-To-Hell vs Christian
  ^^
  ++
  ++
  
  Patent Pending #97712647575
  If you open it up and find that it's just an arrow on a stick we'll sue you into oblivion and force you to flee the country in fear of your life. Just a fair warning.
- nestafett, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1what is a "real" religion you all are saying?
  well its obviously not one that is reffered to as a satire, by the person who started it.
  and if you want to get technical, im not sure what the guidlines exactly are but ive heard them before, the supreme court has made it clear what constitutes a "real" religion. that way people cant just do things and say it's their duty to their religion they started 3 days before the action.
  I know that terms like "real" religion are silly, but i was speaking about what the law says since thats what the article concerns.
  I had no idea I was talking to a bunch of literalist who dont know jack about American law.
  sorry for assuming digg is made of educated people, i often make that mistake and often get proven wrong (like here)
  
  (you can tell the heard mentality here when plush gets dugg down for stating facts)
  you people truly are a bunch of morons.
Vipersfate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I have a friend that does this alot. I thought the article was about him! I think it's nuts lol. I think it's ***** that they would suspend him for it.
ImTheDarkcyde, on 10/12/2007, -22/+3its against almost every dress code in the country to wear distracting clothing

you wonder why the education system is failing, its because of asshat attention whores like this kid
- Kingmichael, on 10/12/2007, -1/+18Right. I fail tests all the time because of people dressing up like pirates in school.
wompninja, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Thats my cousin!
- greenlight2001, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3That's not something to be proud of...
wbeavis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14The school is full of it. There is no way he could be a disruption, since everyone is staring at the cheerleaders ALL the time. Or maybe the girls that developed early. Or the hot spanish teacher (which nowadays everyone is banging). No one is paying attention to the dork, except the principle.
- MrUnderbridge, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19"Or the hot spanish teacher (which nowadays everyone is banging)."
  
  Seriously, this ***** PISSES ME OFF. When I was in high school, all the teachers were old hags and nobody got *****.
brnwrig1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7i want to go to school in a stormtrooper costume tomorrow and say its part of my religon
- wageslaven, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6You should. If you wear the costume, and believe it is good you have a Religion as valid and useful and true as any other.
  
  Religion == belief and practice.
  Faith == belief without proof.
- witcompe, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Tomorrow's Digg story will read "Kid Suspended from school for wearing Storm Trooper Uniform. Claims it is part of his religion" if you do that.
ChanceLonestar, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6that school needs to stop pirate hating!
pirate haters bewarrrrre!
Hetman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14Seriously what is going to disrupt class more. Some kid who will eventually kid bored of wearing pirates cloths. Or this principal who has caused a rudkcuss and now is on digg and will probably get thousands of emails hint hint about how this is wrong.
- DivisibleByZero, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Look at the original event that created the Pastafarian religion in the first place: The Kansas School Board decided to split class time between evolution and "intelligent design". The Pastafarians demanded equal class time to prove a point: If you're giving equal time to the Christians, you've gotta give equal time to the Pastafarians, the Jews, etc. Pretty short lesson plans.
  
  I think your argument is subject to the same scrutiny. If you let this kid dress like a pirate, you've gotta let some other kid dress like a ninja, Klingon, leprechaun, mariachi, etc... A bigger problem than just one kid being a jackass.
  
  In a way, this kid is turning Pastafarianism against itself. Quite ingenious.
- mb96net, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@DivisibleByZero
  How is that a bigger problem? If you care what someone else is wearing, you've got the problem not them. Get over it.
kaniz, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Just because we have various freedoms and protections, does not give us the right to abuse them. Once we start to abuse them, they start to get taken away from us.
- Hetman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5IT doesnt give the school and government the right to hate every religion but christianity either. But all of them still do.
- parax, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6If a freedom is contingent on not exercising it, then it's not a freedom, it's just an illusion. It's like saying it's not a prison because there are no walls, but they shoot everyone who steps past the guard tower.
- mb96net, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3how is this abuse of a freedom. Unless he is hurting someone, there is no abuse of freedom. If you are hurt by what someone else is wearing (unless it's a really bright light) you have a problem.
- insomniac8400, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1It's simple, either tolerate everything that anyone claims is a religion, or deny them all. I side with the deny it all side. It's just easier, plus you don't have to worry about the terrorist wanting to come to school with their face covered.
Got3n, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2this has to be the coolest religion ever. PIRATES, what more can i say!
Blarbo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Public schools need uniforms. Pirate uniforms.
- Poco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Private school uniforms would still be hotter (what is with that anyway?)
Accutron, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Somebody e-mail the ACLU and get a team of lawyers there RIGHT NOW. This injustice must be stopped.
anomalya, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Evidence paradox:
To believe in something with no evidence is to believe in anything. If there was a supernatural deity that created the entire universe there would be mountains of evidence and reason for it, but there is no less evidence to show that the Flying Spaghetti Monster exists than there is to show that God exists. There is therefore no more reason to believe in God than there is the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Lack of evidence disproves all supernatural deity's.

http://thecreationfallacy.blogspot.com/
- gasconne, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0There is nothing more annoying than an evangelist. I don't care what version of reality you're pushing. Every single "I know the real story" version of this kind of thing is just as fallacious and just as rude.
mriparian, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I thought about being a Pastafarian, but instead I chose Turtle Tamer.
I've never looked back.
- adamblast, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I got stuck on Disco Bandit, myself.
Desslok, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8The biggest failing of Pastafarianism is it's complete rejection of the divinity of ninjas and robot monkeys.
badbinary, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1his name should have been steve.
demonstar55, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I dressed as a pirate on talk like a pirate day, wasn't questioned, but there were numerous other idiots that did it to and it angered me, stupid johnny depp loving girls.
mogdor, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3This is just a case of some wiseguy desperate for attention. What a freakin' moron, I'd suspend him too for being a dumbass and disrupting class.
- wageslaven, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Tell me, is he more or less interested in the attention that is offered all the other idiots in religious gear? Jews with hats and christians with crosses and sikhs with knives?
  
  Are they only interested in attention -- is that attention good or bad?
- Hellmark, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1And what would that serve, mogdor? If he is an attention seeker, punishing him via questionable means will only serve to draw more attention here. I mean look, he got suspended, and newspapers around the world are writing about it. Wouldn't ignoring him work better if he's just simply being an attention whore?
illahtech, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Haha that's awesome, I'm on the kid's side on this one.
lieutenantmudd, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I wish I had that big of balls as a kid. About ten minutes after I graduated from high school, I realized how much I really could have ***** around without consequence.
GamerzCorner, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Where does it say i the dress code you can't dress like a pirate!!
malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Presbyterianism, is what he is the story did not mention hes dyslexic
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Kid suspended for wearing Pirate garb to school, claims it's his religion

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