From: Zero Powers (zero_powers@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri Jun 08 2001 - 19:10:32 MDT
>From: "Ben Goertzel" <ben@goertzel.org>
>While I'm not as offended as Max by this thread, I can certainly understand
>his offense.
>
>Extropy is just plain NOT a cult. It's silly to say so.
So someone says you're part of a cult. So what? Are you so sure that you
are not? Does it matter that some "outsider" chooses a label you don't
like? My advice: don't get bent out of shape over name calling (especially
when there's the slightest chance that the name might fit).
Below is a definition of "cult" courtesy of atomica.com. Can you say with a
straight face that nothing in the definition applies to those who label
themselves "Extropian?" You might want to pay particular attention to
numbers 6 and 8.
cult (kŭlt)
n.
1. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or
false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the
guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
2. The followers of such a religion or sect.
3. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
4. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony
and ritual.
5. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to
have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
6. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person,
principle, or thing.
7. The object of such devotion.
8. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or
intellectual interest.
-Zero
Life is good. Refuse to die.
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