Singaporean of 'Pastafarian' faith wears strainer for driving license photo

A Singaporean man wore a strainer on his head to pose for a driving license photograph in Victoria, Australia to exercise his right to wear the religious headgear for the Pastafarian faith, according to Humanist Society (Singapore). 

Mr Dan Tang, a volunteer of the organisation, might very well be the first Singaporean to do so. 

The Pastafarian religion is practised by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), who believe that the "Flying Spaghetti Monster" or "His Noodiness" created the world as it exists today.

In an interview with the Humanist Society (Singapore), Mr Tang revealed that he thought it would be a "funny and lighthearted way to make a stand against teaching Intelligent Design and Creationism in schools in a non-offensive way". 

He said that the cameraman who was taking his photograph refused to shoot until Mr Tang showed proof that "wearing a strainer as a 'religious' headgear is not illegal so long (as) the headgear does not cover one's face".

Followers of the religion often wear the strainer as a declaration of their faith. 

Indeed, there have been other Pastafarians who have had brushes with the law prior to Dan Tang.

According to The Age, Benjamin Ady, a man from Melbourne managed to pose for his driver's license photograph with a strainer on his head in Nov 2015.

A woman from Massachusetts in the US was also allowed to wear a pasta strainer on her head to pose for her driver's license photograph, according to a report from USA Today.

A Russian man was also allowed to wear a colander atop his head to pose for his driving license photograph.

Followers also believe that pirates were the original Pastafarians and that "FSM heaven has a beer volcano and a stripper factory".

In response to a question about how his life had changed since his religious expression, Mr Tang remarked that he has "bragging rights" now that he is "a member of the Church of (the) Flying Spaghetti Monster" and that "if there's an opportunity" for Singaporean followers to wear the strainer, they should do so".

While not all countries recognise this religion, the Netherlands officially recognised Pastafarianism on Jan 26 this year, according to a report by the Metro.

7 things to know about the Pastafarian religion:

1. Pastafarianism is a religion and social movment also known as the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

2. Followers believe that "heaven has a beer volcano and a stripper factory".

3. It is a light-hearted religion that opposes the teaching of creationism in public schools.

4. Pirate costumes are considered religious attire.

5. 'Touched by His Noodly Appendage' is seen as an important icon to the religion.

6. Believers pose with colanders or strainers atop their heads to express their faith on official government documents such as driving licenses.

7. Although some believers consider it a genuine religion, others see it as a parody.

prabukm@sph.com.sg