or where you talkin bout this one? (it’s already bumped to story 4)
Student Suspended for Wearing Pirate Attire
A North Buncombe student is suspended for wearing pirate attire to class. The school says he created a disturbance. But Bryan Killian says costume is part of his religion, Pastafarianism, and that the suspension is the school’s way of violating his first amendment rights.
Many consider Pastafarianism to be a parody of Christianity. Their version of the bible is “Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster,” by Bobby Henderson. The author penned the religion as a protest against the Kansas State Board of Education, after they voted to require the teaching of “intelligent design,” as an alternative to evolution. The religion worships a Flying Spaghetti Monster as their savior.
Officials at North Buncombe say their decision to suspend Killian for one day had nothing to do with religion or religious beliefs. In a statement, Buncombe County Schools say, “…clothes and items that are deemed to be inappropriate or disruptive to classroom instruction are prohibited.” School administrators also say he ignored repeated warnings about his attire, and they had no choice but suspend him.
Last Updated: Thursday, March 29 2007, 10:44 AM