X-Message-Number: 29147
From: 
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:11:43 EST
Subject: religion without worship or dogma

Those suggesting a cryonics "religion" surely do not want worship or  
dogma--they are just fumbling around for some way to gain the advantages of  
religion. This can be done, to some degree, but it isn't easy.
 
Rmember, first, that not all currently recognized "religions" include deity  
or worship, and their beliefs are not always rigid enough to be labeled  

dogma. The most obvious example is Buddhism, which involves no deity  (Gautama 
was 
essentially an atheist) and supposedly no dogma, although the core  beliefs 

could be labeled such. (One of the beliefs is reincarnation, which as  far as I
can see is a meaningless pseudo-concept.)
 
Finally getting to the point, the main element of "religion" that we need  to 
emulate is fellowship, which is found not only in nominal religions but in  

ideologies and even political parties and clubs. The obvious problem is that we
 are too few and too widely scattered, and also too diverse and 
disputatious,with  not too many communal or social type personalities. 
 
I don't know if the strong fellowship goal is achievable, or if it is  

necessary. We are gaining, and at an increasing rate, even though the absolute

numbers are still ridiculously small. But it ought to be possible to emulate the
political parties in their use of volunteers to build fellowship. If getting  
together in person is too awkward, then use the net. Assign jobs and offer  
rewards of praise and tokens. It's not really a big mystery, but it's a big  
job..
 
R. E.


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