Re: Misreprep of Extropy/New to List

Daniel Fabulich (daniel.fabulich@yale.edu)
Mon, 25 May 1998 16:14:58 -0400 (EDT)


On Mon, 25 May 1998, Shakehip wrote:

> - - Just a brief comment... so what if it's classified as a religion?

Well, to be honest, I think this would do us much more harm than good.
Remember, most people consider "small religion" synonymous with "cult."
And if you hadn't noticed, cults don't get particularly good press, nor is
the USG stepping out of its way to protect the cultists' right to worship
in their own special way. Add to that the fact that many of us consider
ourselves atheists (or militant agnostics!) and we see that, as usual, the
lie does more harm than good.

> Must of us are pragmatists and utilitarians, aren't we ?

I am; and for that reason, I want to make it clear to everyone whom I talk
to that it's not a religion; it's a philosophy, and ought to be treated
that way.