© Ross Giblin/Fairfax NZKaren Martyn has become the first ever legal marriage celebrant, or "Ministroni", for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in New Zealand.
The Wellington-based celebrant, whose official title is now "Ministeroni", will travel and perform ceremonies across New Zealand.
"It's great. It is really powerful for the church and the community. It gives us far more choices. Prior to that we only had a registrar or independent celebrants," she said.
Although she hasn't had the chance to wed a couple wanting to tie the noodley knot since the Department of Internal Affairs gave her the green light in December, she said there is a lot of interest from around the country.
She said she would not charge for her services, but will expect her travel to be paid for.
In traditional New Zealand fashion the Kiwi branch of the church is far more progressive than the rest of the world.
© The Dominion PostThe Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in New Zealand has its first marriage celebrant.
"There is no worship involved in our religion. No dogma is one of our doctrines. We are into leading a high quality life. We are into happiness and pleasure and joy," she said.
Martyn, who holds down a full time job on top of her religious duties, said she understands why some people don't take take her seriously.
"I don't mind, all religions can be laughed at and challenged. The ones who openly scoff and are mean are disrespectful."
"I just kind of have to very gently say, hang on, all religions deserve the same respect. If you can mock others, you can mock mine. But if you are going to act if like mine is any different then that's not fair."
Registrar-general of births, deaths and marriages Jeff Montgomery said the application was approved under a sub-section of the Marriages Act, satisfying the registrar-general that the principal object of the organisation was to uphold or promote religious beliefs, philosophical or humanitarian convictions.
"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."
Source: Stuff.co.nz
NZ may not be perfect, but dammit, where else is there a government that will allow such religious freedoms?
I suspect NZ may soon see a massive influx of FSM religious 'refugees' from all over the world. Let us welcome them all warmly, with our outstretched collective Kiwi 'noodley appendages' offering them a loving embrace. :-)
However, I must seriously question the NZ church's gender neutral description of the deity, especially given the lovely stained glass depiction clearly showing the FSM's two red and very meaty, uh, 'balls'.
Sadly, a deep church schism may be in the offing.
Hopefully it will not quickly devolve into sectarian violence, as is so often the case when religious first principles are in conflict.
More importantly, better not let George Soros hear about this, or we may find that faux FSM fundamentalist 'terrorists' will soon be washing up upon our lovely shores to destabilize our green and pleasant lands by loudly demanding money, food, housing....... and women!