Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

This week members of the Zetountes Society discussed the recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The Court argued that “Pastafarianism”, due to its purely satirical character, cannot be considered to be a religion or belief within the sense of Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights. The discussion followed an outstanding presentation by Mrs Jessica Giles, a local barrister and law lecturer at the Open University.

Considering the intersection of religion and law, the group reflected on a number of cases, including the refusal by the Dutch Council of State of an application by a Pastafarian, who submitted a photograph for a driving licence that showed her with a colander on her head.

This informed a fascinating debate on how the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion might frame peaceful plural living together in diverse societies. Ralf J, KS, thanked Mrs Giles on behalf of the Society, who, in turn, commended the quality of the arguments of the would-be lawyers in the group.

“Textus Roffensis” by Dr Alexander Thomas

The third of this term’s Zetountes Lectures for our academic scholars was delivered by Dr Alexander Thomas from the University of Bristol. Dr Thomas offered a fascinating talk on a treasure of Rochester Cathedral, the “Textus Roffensis”.

Created by Bishop Ernulf of Rochester, the document is an example of a 12th century AD codex diplomaticus. Often known as an exclusive encyclopaedia of Anglo-Saxon and early Kentish law code texts, it is one of just two manuscripts to contain the Peace of Edward and
Guthrum, a ruling which determined the boundaries between Saxon and Viking lands. For centuries this was thought to be a genuine Viking Age treaty text, but is in fact an infamous forgery created by Archbishop Wulfstan of York who sought to preserve the authority of the Church. Touching on the materiality and the “biography of things”, Dr Thomas offered a splendid talk, which Ella J, KS, highlighted in her closing remarks on behalf of the Society.

Find out more about the Textus Roffensis here

Related Posts

  • Saturday saw the Cathedral filled to capacity for the Senior School Speech Day and Prize Giving. Guest of Honour, Lord Craig Mackinlay of Richborough, joined Mr John Maas, Chair of Governors, Mr Ben Charles, Principal and the Dean of Rochester Cathedral in addressing the audience. There were touching speeches from the Heads of School [...]

  • Our annual end of year Summer Ball took place on the Paddock on a beautiful summer's evening. Everyone looked fabulous as our Upper Sixth leavers celebrated the end of their journey at King's, alongside parents and staff. The food was delicious and everyone had a wonderful evening dancing along to the amazing Redfords. There [...]

  • Some of our Pre-Prep children met a special visitor on the 13 June when HRH, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited the secret gardens behind the Cathedral. She toured the gardens and spoke to some of our pupils who were accompanied by Mr Charles and Mrs Crozer.