I have increasingly, over the years, felt that religion today does our civilization more harm than good.

Hierarchy works well in a stable environment.

Where there is dirt there is system. Dirt is the byproduct of a systematic ordering and classification of matter.

Inside a religious body you get sects and hierarchies, inside an information network you get bazaars and cathedrals, it is the same, call them what you like. They survive by pointing the finger of blame at each other.

Our technological infrastructure alienates us from each other. No need to form a workplace community, everybody there will be out in a year or two, and so will you, looking for a better place.

If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization.

The history of the Church of Rome is a constant leakage of members into such breakaway cults, which go on splitting.