It all began in June 2005 when Bobby Henderson wrote an open letter to the Kansas School Board proposing a third alternative to the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in schools.

Bobby is a prophet of sorts, the spiritual leader of a growing, world-wide group of followers who worship the teachings of The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM).

The FSM appeared to Bobby as a giant ball of spaghetti, with meatballs for eyes, and touched Bobby with "His nood ...