Pastafarianism, the “religion” that got started, apparently, to ridicule the idea of design in the universe and life forms morphed into a “religion” after European authorities decided to take it seriously.
The Russians are taking it more seriously still:
A “pasta procession” by the Russian followers of the not-so-serious Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was dispersed in Moscow on Saturday by riot police and Orthodox activists, the prankster movement said.
The Moscow police press service told RIA Novosti that eight “Pastafarians” were detained for “attempting to hold an unsanctioned rally.”
The Pastas say they don’t take themselves seriously. In these times, alas, it may not be in their hands:
“We were detained for simply walking,” a message posted by another Pastafarian said. “In particular, I was taken in for a sieve on my head.”
Wiser people have suggested that if you have to suffer, suffer for doing something good—or at least serious.
Note: Apparently they enraged an Orthodox group, a group that is not, one gathers, known for its sense of humour or tolerance of pranks. However, the Moscow police are also probably baton-happy at best.