People “find” religion for all sorts of reasons, not just being emotionally vulnerable.
The social infrastructure for many religions doesnt exist near a person and that doesnt prevent them from following what they want. Immigrants move to places where they’re the only whatever they are. Plenty of people convent to a religion where they’re the only practitioner. Online Buddhist Sanghas serve exactly that group.
I have a friend that is a Unitarian-Universalist because she wanted a chill social group that wasn’t about drinking and matched her ideals. They’re not exactly scooping up huddled masses these days, either.
While I take your point that Pastafarianism isn’t “legitimate” enough to pass muster in a court where religious exemptions might be a defense strategy, that doesnt prevent it from being something that speaks to people. It’s a “religion” highlighting how ridiculous religion can be.
People “find” religion for all sorts of reasons, not just being emotionally vulnerable.
The social infrastructure for many religions doesnt exist near a person and that doesnt prevent them from following what they want. Immigrants move to places where they’re the only whatever they are. Plenty of people convent to a religion where they’re the only practitioner. Online Buddhist Sanghas serve exactly that group.
I have a friend that is a Unitarian-Universalist because she wanted a chill social group that wasn’t about drinking and matched her ideals. They’re not exactly scooping up huddled masses these days, either.
While I take your point that Pastafarianism isn’t “legitimate” enough to pass muster in a court where religious exemptions might be a defense strategy, that doesnt prevent it from being something that speaks to people. It’s a “religion” highlighting how ridiculous religion can be.