Yes and yes. A no brainer. A very objective Christian. Ayn Rand's works have been at the forefront of my thinking since I first read her in the 60's. I can't even understand people that don't immediately agree with her principles. Except for that Atheism thing. Pure objective logic dictates that absence of proof is not proof of absence, so agnosticism is the absolute max obtainable by sound logic. With all that said? JC is my best bud. And He gives really good advice. Advice that works. Especially if you go to the original languages recording the events of those millenia. English is a ridiculous language, probably gaining its widespread use from huge ambiguities that allow peaceful coexistence through sustained misunderstanding. I mean is the word "love" synonymous with eros, phileo, agape, sodomy, fellatio, cunnilingus? By the SCOTUS recent ruling you would have to believe so...
Religion kind of sucks, though. Usually used for population control.
Just my thoughts.

Interesting results from the Gulch! According to my latest calculations (which continues to change by the minute!), 41% of the respondents were non-Christians "before and after Rand", while 34% were Christians before and after. Of those who changed, 18% were Christians who became non-Christians after being introduced to Rand's philosophy ... and 7% were non-Christians before and Christians after. Of course, this doesn't represent ALL Gulchers ... but it certainly surprises me that so many who responded are Christians! Any other observations or conclusions from any of you?

Yes.Yes.

No and no.
For any yes answer to #2, I recommend you read "Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology". It's not an easy read, but it is the basis for a standard of validity based on reality and reason. With faith there is no boundary to assertions of what is. Objectivity to distinguish fact from fiction is non-existent. We need that to function in reality.

Reality just is. Our reasoning can be objective or not. Why be objective?. Because reality just is and that's the context in which we live. There is no other.

Read Anthem around the same time I read the KJV cover-to-cover, after almost half a century it's hard to recall the order of events. I've been an atheist since reading the Bible. Of course, I'd already been reading Heinlein for several years. Previously I'd been brought up Southern Baptist.

No. No.

1) yes, but already wavering.
2) No, I consider myself more of an agnostic.

Yes, I am Proud to say that I am a Christian. I have been a Christian 8since I was 17 years old. I do not find any thing about the philosophy of Ayn Rand that is diametrically opposed to the Christian Judeo ethic. What makes you think that to believe in fair and honest trade by mutual consent, you must abandoned believe in the onnipitant creator? I was always lead to believe that Libertarians where open minded, but it is obvious from some of the posts recently that is not all that true.

Yes and yes. I love the study of reality and feel Ayn Rand contributed a lot to it.

1) Yes
2) Yes

Hi woodlema,
I've been following your posts with interest. In the case above, however, I think you may have proved OCR's point about Faith. In both of your examples, there is no Proof, only Belief based on evidence. Some may have seen different evidence (in the case of the train, perhaps a notice that the track is undergoing repair and will be out of service) or followed a different line of reasoning, and therefore come to a different conclusion.

I know people who claim to have experienced medical miracles, and therefore have a strong faith in God. Proof? No, the healing COULD have been coincidental, spontaneous, or a wrong initial diagnosis. But to the person experiencing the healing, it is seen as very strong evidence indeed.

respectfully,
VG

Yes and yes.

No. I began questioning religion when I was 11.

2. Absolutely not!

Yes and yes

No and yes.

1) No.

2) Wiccan, and curious if there are other pagans on this site.

That is interesting Rex.

I have a sister who is closer to Deist and is a welfare statist. I am Cristian and with the exception of Atheism an Objectivist.

I have a friend in the same religion as I am in and he cannot see how someone can be christian and not be a liberal. I cannot see how someone can be of my religion and be a liberal. We have some very good discussions about it, either of us will likely ever change our position but the discussion help me to understand his views. They are wrong but really interesting.

I find the way in which people combine their views most interesting.

no and no

Yes and yes.
Ayn Rand I do adore
But Jesus is the door.

I disagree with your definition of Faith being belief without proof.

If I ask you to "PROVE" the sun will rise in the morning, You cannot PROVE it will happen, but you can refer to the millions of years in the past and you have FAITH it will because of previous observance.

I have a train that crosses Rt 55 every morning at 5:30 and has done so for the past ten years EVERY morning. I cannot prove it will tomorrow but I have faith it will. THAT is what Faith is in the Bible.


Also fearing God is not a bad fear in the way you might be terrified or fearful of say, Hitler.

The fear referred to in the Bible is more like the healthy fear you would have of disappointing you dad. Or, like I am currently replacing the roof of my tool shed. I have a healthy fear of falling off, so I am extra cautious how and where I step so I do not make a mistake and fall off.

1) Yes, I was a Christian
2) Yes, I still am and even more convinced of the truth of what I view as Christianity (which is different from what most Christians would view as Christianity).

I was raised Catholic so 1.) is Yes

It has been 30 years or so since I have been to church, but I still pray and believe in the Creator or a Supreme Being or entity, so I would say 2.) is also Yes.

From about age 14 - No
No