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A man who identifies himself as a 'Pastafarian' has got into a row with his insurance company over his driving licence picture.

Obi Canuel, 36, claims that his religious beliefs with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster mean that he must wear a colander on his head.

However, Insurance Corporation of BC wrote to him saying "there is no religious requirement that prohibits you from removing the colander for the purpose of taking the photo to appear on your driver's licence."

The company has told him that a new licence will be issued only when he has a picture without the colander and offered to take the picture of him.

Canuel, an ordained minister in his church, told CTV Vancouver : "The truth is sometimes I have the spiritual inkling to wear the colander and I don't think ICBC should be making decisions about what kind of religious headgear is appropriate or not."

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster claims to have existed secretly for hundreds of years but became mainstream in 2005.

This is how the church describes itself on its website: "Pastafarianism is a real religion.

"Most of us do not believe a religion – Christianity, Islam, Pastafarianiasm – requires literal belief in order to provide spiritual enlightenment.

"That is, we can be part of a community without becoming indoctrinated. There are many levels of belief."

The church also says that pirates were the original Pastifarians and they were actually peaceful but have been vilified by Christians.

They are fond of beer and every Friday is a religious holiday.