From: lfoard@Turing.ORG (Lawrence C. Foard)
Subject: PRC why?
Organization: The Turing Project, Charlottesville Virginia.
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 00:18:07 GMT

This is the second tract and completes todays lesson :-)

Copyright(c), 1992, Lawrence Foard 
May be copied and distributed freely in unmodified form.
PRC Tract #1 Revision 0.1

              WHAT IS THE PYTHAGOREAN REFORM CHURCH?

 Modern science and math has its roots in the Pythagorean religion, the
Pythagorean theorem has survived well over 2000 years and is an essential
component of classical and relativistic physics. However in modern times it
has been fashionable to separate physics and math from religion, I believe
that this is essentially incorrect. We no longer need a separate mysterious
religion to explain our existence. Rather than denying the existence of the
soul I want to put it back into this world where it belongs, without
stripping it of its wonder or meaning.

 I find the Pythagorean ideas concerning irrational numbers very appealing.
I believe that any correct theory of reality will be one that can be run on
a finite turing machine (a real computer). This does not allow irrational
numbers or infinities to have any "real" existence. A theory of reality that
requires an infinite turing machine (computer thats infinitely fast with
infinite memory), would put true understanding of reality forever outside of
our reach. I refuse to believe that this is the case. PRC members are not
required to accept this belief.

                                 WHY?

 I want to provide an alternative to the current religions which are based
on false premises. The Pythagorean reform church rather than fighting
science and true understanding of the universe, will look for answers to the
great questions of existence among what we do know. The Pythagorean reform
church will not be afraid to state that some answers are not known, or that
some of its beliefs may be wrong. The religion must grow with our scientific
understanding rather than dragging its feet and then acting as though past
mistakes never happened (Galileo vs. Vatican).

 The Pythagorean reform church believes that people should be concerned with
ethics and making the world a better place. However these ethics should be
based on logic, reason and fact and not on mythology. I personally am a
utilitarian (really a local utilitarian, to be described in another tract).
However I urge all members to think about there own system of ethics, and 
hold to a personal system of ethics which will ultimately make the world a
better place. This is not an easy problem but we can atleast try our best.

                      WAR OF IDEAS (MEME WARFARE)

 At the Republican convention Buchanan declared a cultural war, the side of
truth cannot sit idle by while the forces of ignorance prepare for battle.
The forces of ignorance cannot be defeated with weapons because they feed on
fear and hatred, rather we must arm ourselves with ideas. If you kill an
enemy you have one less enemy, if you convert an enemy you have one less
enemy and one more friend. We must battle the ignorance and fear (father of
bigotry father of war) with knowledge, and falsehood with truth.  

                     THE REQUEST FOR MONEY :-)

 I would like to turn the Pythagorean reform church into a force that could
ultimately begin to compete with the endless Fundamentalist propaganda piped
into the homes of America. If you would like to turn on the TV and see the
Pythagorean broadcasting network explaining the wonders of evolution send me
some money :-) I still need to figure out how to get tax exempt status, so
for the time being the Pythagorean reform church is not tax exempt. I
promise not to pay myself any more than the fair market value of the time I
put into "church business", all other money will go to printing, mailing,
etc. . If you have a substantial amount to give please contact me about the
time frame for tax exempt status. I will be happy to provide a signed
statement about the use of the money.  

 Any donations may be sent to:
 Lawrence Foard
 217 Park Ave.
 Box #108
 Worcester MA 01609
 check memo: donation for PRC

                    BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY/
               WHY WOULD I SEND MONEY TO THIS WEIRDO

 Give copies (copy to your hearts content) of the PRC literature to your
friends, pass it out at airports, wait until annoying fundamentalists are
preaching on your street stand next to them handing it out. While the
religion has serious goals there is no law against having fun achieving
them. For additional fun dress up like ancient greeks while passing out
literature :-)

 Contributions of ideas, or anything else of use are welcome.
 Send to the address above, entropy@world.std.com, lfoard@turing.org, or
 call my BBS at 1-617-793-9568.

Non discrimination clause:
 The PRC is open to sentient beings (including sentient AI's) regardless of
 color, height, width, weight, sex (or lack there of), sexual orientation, or
 nation/planet of origin. 

Discrimination clause:
 The PRC is not open to creationists, homophobes, rascists, Nazi's, KKK
 members, rapists and non sentient bread mold.

-- 
------          Join the Pythagorean Reform Church!               .
\    /        Repent of your evil irrational numbers             . .
 \  /   and bean eating ways. Accept 10 into your heart!        . . .
  \/   Call the Pythagorean Reform Church BBS at 508-793-9568  . . . .
    
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU