The Pastafarian Fight for Recognition

For nine months, student Mienke de Wilde has been without a driver’s license, all because she insisted on wearing a colander on her head in her license photo.

To her, the headgear is not just an eccentric choice but a religious obligation. However, the municipality rejected her request, refusing to recognize the colander as a legitimate religious symbol.

But what exactly drives a Pastafarian?

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), often referred to as Pastafarianism, was founded in 2005 by Bobby Henderson as a satirical response to the teaching of intelligent design in schools.

What began as a parody of organized religion has since evolved into a global movement with tens of thousands of adherents.

At its core, Pastafarianism challenges the special privileges granted to mainstream religions. One of its central tenets is the right to wear a colander as a religious head covering, much like a Muslim woman wears a hijab or a Jewish man wears a yarmulke.

However, authorities in many countries refuse to recognize it as a legitimate belief system, leading to legal battles over religious freedom and discrimination.

A Fight for Religious Equality

For Mienke, the refusal to accept her colander in official documents is about more than just her driver’s license—it’s a matter of principle.

If people of other faiths are allowed to wear religious head coverings in identification photos, why shouldn’t Pastafarians be granted the same right?

Her case is not unique. Similar legal disputes have arisen in various countries, with Pastafarians challenging governments on the grounds of religious discrimination. These battles highlight the broader question: Who gets to decide what constitutes a “real” religion?

Mienke remains unwavering in her beliefs. Every day, she proudly wears her colander as a symbol of her devotion to the Flying Spaghetti Monster. To her, this struggle is not just about personal conviction but about pushing back against the arbitrary lines drawn by governments when it comes to religious expression.

More Than Just a Parody

While many dismiss the FSM movement as satire, its followers argue that their beliefs are no less valid than those of any other religion. Pastafarianism may have started as a critique of religious favoritism, but for people like Mienke, it has become a statement about individual rights, freedom of expression, and the arbitrary nature of religious legitimacy.

As long as religious head coverings are permitted in official documents, Pastafarians will continue to challenge governments for equal treatment. And as long as those challenges persist, one thing remains certain: Mienke de Wilde, colander and all, isn’t backing down anytime soon.