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Austrian Wins Right To Wear Pasta Strainer On Driving Licence

The Huffington Post   First Posted: 13/07/2011 16:11 Updated: 10/09/2012 16:07

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A man in Austria has won the right to wear a pasta strainer on his head in his driving licence picture.

Niko Alm, who is an atheist, started his campaign three years ago after learning that headgear was only allowed to be worn in official photographs for religious reasons.

As a member of the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which campaigns against the teaching of intelligent design alongside science by promoting an alternative theory of creation based on 'pastafarian' teachings, Alm intended to make a serious point about the place of religion in government.

His plan backfired slightly, however, when the Austrian authorities made him take a psychological test to prove that he was fit to drive.

Alm succeeded, and was issued his licence.

Following his victory Alm told the Austrian news agency APA that he will apply to the Austrian authorities for pastafarianism to become an official religion.

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guilatty
Something has got to make sense eventually
373 Fans
07:00 PM on 07/19/2011
I'm ready to be confirmed into this church as soon as I get confirmation the sacramental wine is a nice Sangiovese, and the communion wafer is bruschetta. A toque instead of a Bishop's mitre and I will be their first Archbishop.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Angie Tyne 1
I want my disagree button!!
926 Fans
11:10 PM on 07/18/2011
Perhaps he should have performed a genuflection for the exam.
"Genuflection
* The Pastafarian gesture of worship. While mainly a ritualistic practice, this gesture remains the most powerful yet passive means by which the faithful may deflect the evil influence of science and logic. When confronted by a challenger to the faith, a correctly-executed genuflection will weaken the attacker's resolve to the point that they are obliged to give up their side of the argument and retreat.

HOW TO GENUFLECT:

STEP 1: Bow thy head

STEP 2: Close thy eyes

STEP 3: Place thy palms of the hands firmly over thy ears.

STEP 4: Sing "Lalalalalalalala!" in loud monotone until thy throat is hoarse.
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JohnUllmann
72 Fans
03:53 PM on 07/16/2011
Humor and satire can make government tremble.
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ashabot
Environmentalists are the true Conservatives.
842 Fans
 
09:42 PM on 07/15/2011
I love this guy.
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Patrick Bay
4 Fans
03:36 PM on 07/15/2011
I wonder if the government forces Christians to take psychological examinations to see if they're nuts for believing in an all-powerful invisible man in the sky. Good on Niko for shining a light on the incredible hypocritical double-standard afforded religions in society (tax exemption, just as a single example). Apparently someone's lack of belief is inferior to someone's belief (despite any evidence whatsoever), and this is promulgated by the powers that be.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Don Giovanni
Woody's guitar says it all.
987 Fans
10:28 AM on 07/15/2011
Excellent!
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rotorhead1871
who are you jivin' with that cosmic debris?...
407 Fans
05:25 AM on 07/15/2011
sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Leviathan21
737 Fans
03:44 AM on 07/15/2011
I'm an atheist, and I find this man and his story completely ridiculous. He has way too much time on his hands.
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Rachelvis
There is a difference between "your" and "you're".
101 Fans
05:17 PM on 07/15/2011
Good for you.
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Stephen G Ford
Not sure WHAT this is for
172 Fans
11:49 PM on 07/14/2011
The really SAD THING is there is NO POINT in throwing SATIRE at the ULTRA-RELIGIOUS! They tend to NOT GET IT! (It's like watching Stephen Colbert talking to a CONSERVATIVE) They just don't seem to even REGISTER that they are being made FUN OF! And that you are NOT IN FACT "SUPPORTING THEM" you are LAUGHING AT THEM! I hope Niko is successful in setting up his branch of Pastafarianism!
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Heather Poco
29 Fans
08:55 AM on 07/14/2011
I loved this story! Religion has no place in government.
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rotorhead1871
who are you jivin' with that cosmic debris?...
407 Fans
05:25 AM on 07/15/2011
religion has no place most everywhere....
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European1919
I am the PigmⒶn
548 Fans
07:05 AM on 07/14/2011
The point definitely goes to man's liberation from the shackles of government.
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Heather Poco
29 Fans
08:58 AM on 07/14/2011
Hmm, I can see that, but I thought it was more about the absurdity of the government making special rules for religion.
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European1919
I am the PigmⒶn
548 Fans
09:13 AM on 07/14/2011
Let's split the difference: the absurdity of much of government legislation which just serves to impose the government's will on those it is meant to represent.
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Red Russet
1044 Fans
01:48 AM on 07/14/2011
When I read the headline I thought they meant a drool bucket.
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Errrlord
6 Fans
12:52 AM on 07/14/2011
How do i become a pastafarian please
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cdnman
Still a free spirit...
2279 Fans
10:01 AM on 07/14/2011
I think you have to eat spaghetti without meat sauce as an act of self denial lol
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DoctorDirector
162 Fans
10:33 AM on 07/14/2011
All you need to know, right here: http://www.venganza.org/
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Notch
20 Fans
10:13 PM on 07/13/2011
One of the best ways to to show how silly religions are is to emulate them.
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inesison
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss e
320 Fans
 
08:19 PM on 07/13/2011
what a stupid worthless story
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Katboy
19 Fans
09:34 PM on 07/13/2011
What a stupid, worthless comment.

May the Noodly Appendage reach down from on high and transform you.
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inesison
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss e
320 Fans
 
11:26 PM on 07/13/2011
So why do you bother replying? I'm sorry did i hurt your feelings. Maybe you should put a strainer on your head so you'll feel better
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