A word for heathens

Our first pick is an eccentric SciFi! It deals with the nature of religion and it's relationship to humanity.

The author (the amazing Peter Watts) has made it public: https://www.rifters.com/real/shorts/PeterWatts_Heathens.pdf

This was originally in the SF Short Story club, I finished it but couldn't make it. Hoping to bring some of that energy here!