SASO is perhaps the first religion without any gods, so many people would suggest it cannot be a religion. One dictionary definition says:
the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.
But not necessarily gods, is the inference.
In recent decades, or even centuries, there have been heated discussions regarding the incompatibility of science and religion. Gods make no sense to science in any way, aside from perhaps an underlying code, a theory of everything, that might somehow dictate outcomes beyond classic physics.
And of course religion is based on faith, with any evidence (miracles?) being sketchy at best. It is the opposite of science in every way.
With SASO we can combine the two, faith and religion.
Simulation theory is the best and most popular scientific idea that some sentient being could be in charge of our world, although the very nature of a simulation means we are unlikely to ever prove it. Likelihood and certainty are different things. That lack of certainty means some faith is required.
Faith, though, is not the only entry into the SASO way of being. We also have the other positive factors:
- Hedging our bets, just like people who convert to Christianity on their death beds. Probably no harm in it, but could be a smart move.
- Community – many people want/need a tribe
- Bringing moral and ethical choices to the forefront of our lives
- Encouraging debate on the nuances and possibilities
- Providing a framework for lived experiments
Most religions tend to be quite selfish and individualistic, and their leaders take full advantage of that. SASO is about keeping the simulation going, for everyone. We are all in this together. The standard presumption is that individuals cannot benefit from pleasing the Overlords, only all of us collectively.
One dictionary definition of gods fits SASO well:
a superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human fortunes