'Pastafarian' fights to wear colander in B.C. driver's licence photo

[Karee 4,191]

An unusual religious headwear battle has hit a boiling point in Surrey, B.C., where a “Pastafarian” is fighting for his right to wear a colander in his driver’s licence photo.

Obi Canuel, who is an ordained minister in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, says the Insurance Corporation of B.C. is denying him the right to be able to wear the spaghetti strainer on his head.

The 36-year-old says he believed he would be able to wear the kitchen accessory when he renewed his licence last fall because ICBC affirms the right to religious expression.

Photos

B.C.'s insurance bureau is denying a so-called Pastafarian from wearing a kitchen accessory on his head in a government photo.

B.C.'s insurance bureau is denying a so-called Pastafarian from wearing a kitchen accessory on his head in a government photo.

But, the insurer disagreed. In a letter, they told him “there is no religious requirement that prohibits you from removing the colander for the purpose of taking the photo to appear on your driver’s license.”

ICBC said its religious head covering policy strive to strike a balance between respect for the driver’s religious beliefs and a need to preserve the integrity of the licensing system.

The company said it would not issue a new driver’s licence with the colander photo, but encouraged him to go into any office and have a free colander-free photo taken – and a new licence would be issued.

“The truth is sometimes I have the spiritual inkling to wear the colander and I don’t think ICBC should be making decisions about what kind of religious headgear is appropriate or not,” Canuel told CTV Vancouver.

Strangely, a photo of Canuel wearing the exact same strainer on his head was approved for his new B.C. Services card.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was created nine years ago by a U.S. man to satirize certain aspects of creationism. It follows a belief that an undetectable flying pasta creature created the universe after “drinking heavily.”

As it gained popularity in the media, the Flying Spaghetti Monster became a symbol against intelligent design used in the public education system.

At least four countries, including the U.S., allow Pastafarians to wear colanders in their driver’s licence photos.

Canuel documented his struggles with ICBC in a YouTube video titled "Dear ICBC: Where is my license?"

Source: http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/pastafarian-fights-to-wear-colander-in-b-c-driver-s-licence-photo-1.1959706

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Ain't religion grand?

Pastafarian politician takes oath of office wearing colander on his head Christopher Schaeffer, a Pastafarian minister, took his oath of office to join the Pomfret Town Board in New York while sporting the kitchen utensil. 'This may be the first openly Pastafarian sworn into office. For sure, the first to be sworn in wearing a colander,' said faith follower Bobby Henderson.

[Karee 4,191]

Ain't religion grand?

Pastafarian politician takes oath of office wearing colander on his head Christopher Schaeffer, a Pastafarian minister, took his oath of office to join the Pomfret Town Board in New York while sporting the kitchen utensil. 'This may be the first openly Pastafarian sworn into office. For sure, the first to be sworn in wearing a colander,' said faith follower Bobby Henderson.

That picture on the wall in the background looks like Randolph Duke from Trading Places.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

That picture on the wall in the background looks like Randolph Duke from Trading Places.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The US more tolerant of religion than Canada? Say it ain't so!

[Operator 1,927]

[Dakine10 5,452]

An unusual religious headwear battle has hit a boiling point in Surrey, B.C., where a “Pastafarian” is fighting for his right to wear a colander in his driver’s licence photo.

Obi Canuel, who is an ordained minister in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, says the Insurance Corporation of B.C. is denying him the right to be able to wear the spaghetti strainer on his head.

The 36-year-old says he believed he would be able to wear the kitchen accessory when he renewed his licence last fall because ICBC affirms the right to religious expression.

Photos

B.C.'s insurance bureau is denying a so-called Pastafarian from wearing a kitchen accessory on his head in a government photo.

B.C.'s insurance bureau is denying a so-called Pastafarian from wearing a kitchen accessory on his head in a government photo.

But, the insurer disagreed. In a letter, they told him “there is no religious requirement that prohibits you from removing the colander for the purpose of taking the photo to appear on your driver’s license.”

ICBC said its religious head covering policy strive to strike a balance between respect for the driver’s religious beliefs and a need to preserve the integrity of the licensing system.

The company said it would not issue a new driver’s licence with the colander photo, but encouraged him to go into any office and have a free colander-free photo taken – and a new licence would be issued.

“The truth is sometimes I have the spiritual inkling to wear the colander and I don’t think ICBC should be making decisions about what kind of religious headgear is appropriate or not,” Canuel told CTV Vancouver.

Strangely, a photo of Canuel wearing the exact same strainer on his head was approved for his new B.C. Services card.

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was created nine years ago by a U.S. man to satirize certain aspects of creationism. It follows a belief that an undetectable flying pasta creature created the universe after “drinking heavily.”

As it gained popularity in the media, the Flying Spaghetti Monster became a symbol against intelligent design used in the public education system.

At least four countries, including the U.S., allow Pastafarians to wear colanders in their driver’s licence photos.

Canuel documented his struggles with ICBC in a YouTube video titled "Dear ICBC: Where is my license?"

Source: http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/pastafarian-fights-to-wear-colander-in-b-c-driver-s-licence-photo-1.1959706

I think they got it right - there is no religious requirement for Pastafarians to wear collanders. If a religion requires that the head be covered in public, then an exception is made (legally).

Surrey has a very large Sikh community and people sometimes seem to have an issue with the wearing of turbans without having a real reason for it. I can't help wondering if this isn't related.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Dakine10

[Karee 4,191]

I think they got it right - there is no religious requirement for Pastafarians to wear collanders. If a religion requires that the head be covered in public, then an exception is made (legally).

Surrey has a very large Sikh community and people sometimes seem to have an issue with the wearing of turbans without having a real reason for it. I can't help wondering if this isn't related.

I was thinking this was all some kind of gag on the part of this guy. You think this is serious?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Pastafarians keep a low profile. We don't recruit, we don't proselytize, we don't molest children, we don't burn bibles, Q'rans or any other books.. We just insist in being able to practice our faith in peace, as His Holy Noodleship wants us to.

Ain't religion grand?

Pastafarian politician takes oath of office wearing colander on his head Christopher Schaeffer, a Pastafarian minister, took his oath of office to join the Pomfret Town Board in New York while sporting the kitchen utensil. 'This may be the first openly Pastafarian sworn into office. For sure, the first to be sworn in wearing a colander,' said faith follower Bobby Henderson.

[Dakine10 5,452]

I was thinking this was all some kind of gag on the part of this guy. You think this is serious?

It wouldn't surprise me either way. I think the ICBC made the right determination. There has to be a religious requirement against removing the headwear in public for it to be allowed in the DL photo. There is not in this case.

If he's serious about wearing headwear in his DL photo, he could convert to a religion that requires it. If he's serious about Pastafarianism he should let it go. If it continues to make news, then I would guess he's doing it for the attention.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

That picture on the wall in the background looks like Randolph Duke from Trading Places.

dawg gone sho nuff does