If your childhood dream was to get married with the blessing of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, you're in luck -- at least in New Zealand.
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, which gained a following back in 2005 while protesting the teaching of creationism in Kansas public schools, is now legally able to officiate same-sex marriages in New Zealand after getting approval from the registrar-general of births, deaths and marriages last week, Stuff reports. Jeff Montgomery, who serves as registrar-general of births, deaths and marriages, made his decision based on a sub-section of the Marriages Act:
In considering the matter I have referred to the Objects of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, reviewed material available online about this organisation and considered other organisations already able to nominate marriage celebrant. A review of media and the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster's international website show a consistent presentation of their philosophies. While some claim this is a 'parody organisation', members have rebutted this on a number of occasions.
The church announced the news on Facebook.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in the country since 2013. The church -- whose followers wear pasta strainers on their heads and believe heaven has a beer volcano and stripper factory -- is just one of the many institutions (and even spiritual philosophies) allowed to perform ceremonies now.
"Some claim that the church is purely a thought experiment or satire, illustrating that Intelligent Design is not science, just a pseudoscience manufactured by Christians to push Creationism into public schools," they describe in their "About" section on their website. "These people are mistaken -- The Church of FSM is legit, and backed by hard science. Anything that comes across as humor or satire is purely coincidental."
Also on HuffPost: