-=> Quoting Paul Andinach to Michael Tauson <=-
 -=> Quoting Michael Tauson to Ron Taylor <=-
 
 MT> (Sidebar . . . Religion: Cult with an army. )  
 PA> Jack L. Chalker defined a religion as a cult that had 
 PA> attracted more than 10% of the population.
     The "Laughing Gods" series, I believe.  Hmmm, it's not at 
hand but I keep thinking it may be "Dancing Gods" instead.  
*sigh* ... between not doing so good and medication, my memory 
seems to have taken a hike somewhere.  
     Anyway, I suspect that both definitions leave some room for 
discussion, though I also tend to believe either (or both) is 
workable.  Are workable.  Something like that.
 PA> ...actually, he was making a point about the way religion is
 PA> depicted in  fantasy novels, but I still think it's one way to look at 
 PA> it.
     *chuckling* ... and in science fiction.  Since that's what 
I'm supposed to be doing (writing SF) when my mind is working 
properly, it is of interest to me.
     It would be interesting to see what percentage of the 
current population have substituted extraterrestrial beings for a 
more ... um, "mundane" form of supreme being in their belief set.  
Michael
... I always like the morning well aired before I get up  -bb
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