Pastafarians Rejoice! NZ Gives Flying Spag Monster Church Marriage Rights

In a major boost to one of the lesser-known religions of the world, New Zealand has approved the right of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to carry out marriage ceremonies in the country.

Members of the church, who call themselves 'Pastafarians' had their application to perform marriage ceremonies approved by the New Zealand Registrar-General of births, deaths and marriages and published in the New Zealand government's gazette.

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Registrar Jeff Montgomery told the website stuff.co.nz that the church's application was legitimate and legal within New Zealand law.

"In considering the matter I have referred to the Objects of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, reviewed material available online about this organization and considered other organizations already able to nominate marriage celebrants.

"A review of media and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster's international website show a consistent presentation of their philosophies. While some claim this is a 'parody organization', members have rebutted this on a number of occasions."

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Although many people, including some members, believe the group is a satirical organization, the church's top official, also known as a Top Ramen, tried to dispel myths that the group is simply a joke organization.

"We are a bona fide church, and our people do like to get married, some of them several times," Top Ramen told Radio New Zealand.

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She added that Pastafarian weddings can include a wide range of attire, from pirate suits to spaghetti strainers worn on people's heads.

"We can wear the pirate gear, we can wear the pasta gear, we're quite flexible."

The group, which is thought to have emerged in the US about a decade ago, believe the world was created by a huge airborne spaghetti and meatballs-based being, while many Pastafarians have won the right to wear pasta strainers on their head in identification photos, citing them as being religious headgear.