By C1 Staff
LINCOLN, Neb. — A Nebraska inmate is suing the state Department of Corrections, stating that his religious beliefs entitle him to dress like a pirate and he is being denied that right.
Think Progress reports that Stephen Cavanaugh claims to be a Pastafarian, or a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
He says that one of his religion’s holy texts explains that “it is disfrespectful [sic] to teach our beliefs without wearing [the Flying Spaghetti Monster’s] chosen outfit,” which consists of “full Pirate regalia.”
The DOC spoke with the founder of Pastafarianism, who said that the belief system was a parody of religion. With that information, the DOC said that they would not “dedicate administrative and facility resources to support a parody.”