The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by Bobby Henderson (2006, Paperback)

Brilliantly written, The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is one of the best example I know of, of satirical writing. Modeled after the Bible, the Gospel manages to make fun of almost every world religion, even Scientology. While it may be offensive to those with a strong religious background, for a person like me who has lost touch with religion, it is a great way to have an answer to the question, "So what denomination are you?"

Again, if you consider yourself a religious person, don't buy this book. If you are looking for some laughs at the expense of others, then by all means read on. Oh, the picture can be deceiving. The book is not a red leather bound tome, but rather a paper back with a picture of a red leather tome on a white background. But other than that, the Gospel has the answer to everything, from global warming (a global decrease in the number of pirates) to the reason that Kiwi birds don't fly (it's because they lack the proper motivation.)

My favorite part of the book is the "Eight I-Really-You-Rather-Didn'ts", the Pastafarian version of the Ten Commandments. While they are humorous in nature, they also extol Bobby Henderson's complaints with religions, mainly the way that religions force their views upon others, and intolerability of other races and creeds.

If you have a critical perspective on religion, and are looking for a new way, why not give the Flying Spaghetti Monster a try. You will certainly be rewarded in the afterlife with a beer volcano. Now who doesn't want one of those. This is perhaps one of the best books on religion that I have ever read. Period.

"In the beginning, there was the word,
And the word was "ARRRRGGGGHHH""

-Piraticus 13-7