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Pastafarianism, the parody religion created by Bobby Henderson in response to the movement to teach "intelligent design" in Kansas schools in 2005, has since exploded in popularity. This led Henderson to write a book - "The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" - and, in typical religious fashion, he included a list of rules for Pastafarians to follow.

The Gospel of the FSM is considered the central text of Pastafarianism, and Pastafarians are encouraged (but not absolutely required) to follow its tenets. The book, which makes negative references to modes of behavior common to religious folk, is believed to be a record of the words of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Himself. Henderson is but an enlightened prophet.

The eight "I'd Really Rather You Didn't"s list not what the Flying Spaghetti Monster absolutely requires his followers to do - after all, He's not the type of god to endorse force or threat. Rather, He has distributed some advice via Henderson's pen (or keyboard), in hopes of helping human beings to get along. The eight I'd Really Rather You Didn'ts are paraphrased as follows:

1) Because the Noodly Master isn't mired with excessive vanity, He doesn't feel the need for others to believe in Him, and will in no way punish disbelievers. He requests that His followers see non-believers the way He sees them: believers are no better than non-believers.

2) The Noodly Master doesn't wish to be used to justify oppression, punishment, sacrifice, or subjugation: followers need not harm themselves or others in exchange for His approval or allegiance. "Purity is for drinking water," He decrees, "not people."

3) Bigoted judgment, including that based on gender, race, age, looks, class, and wealth, are not recommended by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Allowing a few exceptions, like that of fashion (in which women usually trump men), He decrees that people are equal, and should be treated equally.

4) His Noodliness requests, also, that His followers refrain from offending themselves - in other words, making fools of themselves, generally being unkind, and betraying their intrinsic good-naturedness. Here, it is implied that rape and other forms of harmful sexual conduct are to be avoided. While the Flying Spaghetti Monster is somewhat vague on this point, one thing is sure: followers are likely to feel and act better if they regularly abandon television and take long walks.

5) While the Noodly Master loves a good debate, especially against those with bigoted, misogynistic,

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