X-Message-Number: 20494 Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 14:44:34 -0500 (EST) From: Dan Hitt <> Subject: Muslims and Cryonics Hi All, I think if we want to be successful in our struggle against death, we should not be exculsive of Muslims. First, Muslims, like any people, shouldn't have to die at some arbitrary age like 70. Second, there are many very intelligent and diligent thinkers among the Muslims. (My opinion based on personal experience with Muslim engineers and students.) I think the essential pieces of Muslim culture, like that of the Mormons, Orthodox, Christian Fundamentalists, and other devout groups, has characteristics which tend to promote mental development. (For example, there's a strong tendency to avoid drunkenness. Also, if children have to work hard on their religious study---e.g., to study holy works, perhaps in a foreign tongue---that may help their minds learn to organize large amounts of information. I think there are other reasons along these lines, as religions presumably confer some advantages on their adherents.) Third, Muslims are not automatically anti-cryonics. A Muslim, who has had a scientific education and who is a free spirit, may be intrigued by cryonics (my observation), whether or not a sign-up follows. Fourth, there are a lot of them, and their situation won't be static. Perhaps there's a Moslem alive today who will learn to how to stop the aging process, or help the recovery of our current patients. Fifth, whatever morals we have or don't have, we'll look better---our message will be more palatable---if we at least try to be inclusive. dan Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=20494