A sculpture of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the goofball deity cooked up to protest a Kansas legal battle over evolution, went on display outside a courthouse in Cumberland County, Tennessee, late last month.

Ariel and David Safdie created the sculpture, which depicts the taste-tempting god worshiped by adherents of the "Pastafarian" parody religion practiced by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

A statement from the installment ceremony helps explain the Flying Spaghetti Monster's place in the grand debate about religion, evolution, free speech and noodle dishes:

"We are lucky enough to live in a country that allows us, its citizens, the freedom of speech. I have chosen to put up a statue of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to represent the discourse between people of all different beliefs. The many faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds of Cumberland County's residents make our community a stronger richer place.... The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a pile of noodles and meatballs, but it is meant to open up discussion and provoke thought. Being able to put up a statue is a celebration of our freedom as Americans; a freedom to be different, to express those differences, and to do it amongst neighbors -- even if it is in a noodley way."

The artists' interpretation of the Flying Spaghetti Monster sits alongside an Iraq war memorial, chainsaw-carved monkeys and a sculpture of Jesus carrying a cross, according to the Crossville Chronicle.

That's pretty damned progressive for Tennessee.

I held it in for so long, but now the truth MUST be told. I'm not picking on Ramen, but that flying spaghetti monster shit is outlandishly ######ish.

Seems like something for litte kids, toddlers, infants in the first stage of eating solid foods. Seems like a description:

Toddler eating spaghetti: Nummie! <toddler throws spaghetti>
Parent: <ducks down avoiding spaghetti> "Whew, I almost got hit by a flying spaghetti monster!"

It's intended to be childish and stupid and silly, just like the notion of teaching "Intelligent Design" as a credible scientific theory to high schoolers.

That's sort of the whole point of it.

So why do you indulge in this silly kids shit?

I see you have difficulty with the concept of satire and parody.

More silly kid shit that I enjoy:

The Institute Of Silly Walks ROCKS!! fgtb76

But I gotta say... the SM looks like hairy... ahhhh nevermind...

it's a parody.

Are you to "grown up" for some comedy?

I too have been touched by his noodly appendage.

He tried to show it to me, but I dared not touch it.