George Will On Religion and Founding Needs Ayn Rand's Theory of Rights

Posted by khalling 10 years, 5 months ago to Philosophy
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"He even says explicitly that neither successful self-government nor “a government with clear limits defined by the natural rights of the governed” requires religion. For these, writes Will, “religion is helpful and important but not quite essential.”"

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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Christianity is a particular religion with its own dogmas which are well known. The variations don't matter once the essence has been rejected. The variations are irrelevant to that, not "guilt by association".
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Many non-Christians supported slavery - what's your point? There can be wrong headed people of every persuasion. Doesn't support/negate anything.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Why not "your belief system?" It is the truth and non-confrontational. It is just as viable for us as yours is to you. And fundamentally, not in conflict, as they support ethical behavior. Funny how that seems to get lost in the name calling.
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago
    No, you are done. The purpose of the forum is clearly stated. Your proselytizing of religion here is obnoxious and inappropriate. You don't belong here.
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  • -1
    Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That has nothing to do with whether you're a troll or not. Keep the argument on point, pretend you're at boards!
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That there was someone running around in one of the mystery cults a few thousand years ago saying the things attributed to Jesus is not evidence of the supernatural, alleged "miracles" contrary to the nature of reality, or even a coherent concept.You have already "flown off the handle". Your promotion of mysticism and the supernatural is not rational and does not belong here at all. It is an obnoxious intrusion contrary to the purpose and values of the forum.
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  • -2
    Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    ewv is just an ignorant blowhard. I wouldn't waste my time trying to argue rationally with that individual. They clearly bow at the alter of AR, who is their deity.
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Ayn Rand did not "invent" what she thought god "should be". She rejected faith and the supernatural in all its forms.
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  • -2
    Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    On what do you base ethics? If you say it is in my self interest not to harm others, I'll demand you to prove it. I have thousands of years of history that demonstrates that is not true.
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This has nothing to do with Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand's philosophy does not mean "following Ayn Rand" or "authority figures". Your religious rhetoric is irrelevant.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And if I remember correctly at least one state had an official religion at the founding of the nation.
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  • Posted by Robbie53024 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Your analysis overlooks the fact that religion so permeated the culture that it did not need to be expressly called out - it was assumed. They also didn't call out the need for oxygen, but that doesn't prove they didn't think it was essential. They called out those things that had been denied or suppressed. How do you account for the fact that the First Amendment specifically protects religion? If they weren't religious, why would they make that the first item to protect?
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    ... and destroys your mind into a state of subservience so you want to give it all to him.
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Giving your life to god in complete selfless subservience is not collecting an inheritance. There is nothing left.
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The early settlers were not influenced by the Enlightenment and were still heavily religious. (Review, for example, the Mayflower Compact). They sure weren't here because of the earlier Newton's physics! The "founding" usually means the revolution and formulation of the constitution in the last part of the 1700s..
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  • Posted by ewv 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It keeps changing depending on which side of the wars between sects you are listening to at the time.
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  • Posted by woodlema 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Please provide the SPECIFIC citation your referring to. As I recall, Jefferson took the argument on both sides like any lawyer, with the end result being people should NEVER take things on blind faith but on reason, be it Faith in God or Not.
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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 10 years, 5 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Of course, i.e. "figuring out the world based on reason and facts," but they need to know the irrational ideas are out there too.
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