 First edition cover – designed to look like a hardback | |
| Author | Bobby Henderson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Satirical religious text |
| Publisher | Villard Books |
Publication date | March 28, 2006 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 192 pp |
| ISBN | 0-8129-7656-8 |
| OCLC | 65065501 |
| 818/.607 22 | |
| LC Class | PN6231.R4 H46 2006 |
The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is a satirical book written by Bobby Henderson that embodies the main beliefs of the parody religion of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Pastafarianism.[1][2] The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) was created by Bobby Henderson in an open letter to the Kansas State Board of Education in which he parodied the concept of intelligent design. After Henderson posted the letter on his website, it became an internet phenomenon and was featured in many large newspapers, which caught the attention of book publishers. Released in March 2006 by Villard Books, The Gospel elaborates on Pastafarian beliefs and practices established in the open letter.
The Gospel includes a creation myth, set of eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts", a guide to evangelizing, and discusses history and lifestyle from a Pastafarian perspective. Henderson uses satire to show flaws with creationism and prove the Flying Spaghetti Monster, offering an alternative to the intelligent design movement in the process. The book, which has sold more than 100,000 copies,[3] was generally well received.