Ayn Rand on Christian Egoism

Posted by TheChristianEgoist 11 years, 3 months ago to Philosophy
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“Christianity was the first school of thought that proclaimed the supreme sacredness of the individual. The first duty of a Christian is the salvation of his own soul. This duty comes above any he may owe to his brothers. This is the basic statement of true individualism.” -Ayn Rand

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  • Posted by m082844 11 years, 2 months ago
    I hate to break it to you, but there is no reconciliation between Objectivism and Christianity. One accepts faith as a valid means to knowledge and the other does not. Now let's put her thoughts into its full context.

    "Playboy: Has no religion, in your estimation, ever offered anything of constructive value to human life?

    "RAND: Qua religion, no—in the sense of blind belief, belief unsupported by, or contrary to, the facts of reality and the conclusions of reason. Faith, as such, is extremely detrimental to human life: it is the negation of reason. But you must remember that religion is an early form of philosophy, that the first attempts to explain the universe, to give a coherent frame of reference to man’s life and a code of moral values, were made by religion, before men graduated or developed enough to have philosophy. And, as philosophies, some religions have very valuable moral points. They may have a good influence or proper principles to inculcate, but in a very contradictory context and, on a very—how should I say it?—dangerous or malevolent base: on the ground of faith." -- playboy interview 1964 (http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/religi...)
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  • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You should talk this way more often, rather than spending all that energy in pot stirring and arguing with people who wouldn't acknowledge a valid point if it kicked them in the head.
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  • Posted by $ Abaco 11 years, 3 months ago
    I understand what Ayn Rand was saying there. Thanks for posting that.
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  • Posted by Hiraghm 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree; too many organized churches either focus on the bad there is to life, or subsuming my free will to God. If God wanted to control every aspect of my life, He could have made me a robot, and I wouldn't have needed salvation.

    On almost a daily basis for the past couple of years I've considered eating a bullet because I want to go to heaven and see my loved ones again. Ironically, one of the reasons that keeps me from doing it is the belief that it would guarantee that I never do.
    That, and my last remaining virtue; I won't quit. Maybe that's why Rearden is my preferred hero over Galt in AS, followed by Dagny. He's beat on from all sides, he's flawed, but he won't quit.

    I had to find a purpose to my life, to continue living, and integral to that was the belief that He still wants me here for some reason. I don't want to die a failure.

    I too am glad TheChristianEgoist shared this. It helps reconcile the conflicts I still feel between Objectivism and Christianity.
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  • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    This is a very true statement "They make little to no distinction between the logically possible and the circumstantially possible."
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  • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    A friend in Athens Tennessee told me about a bit of competition between churches. I hope you find one.
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  • Posted by $ WillH 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I live in the deep south. An uplifting church is a rarity around here. I am continuing my search.
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  • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi Will. Based on the churches you described. I wouldn't want to go there. I enjoy the uplifting when I go. I wonder if you are in the right religion or just haven't found the right church. Talk with friends about their churches.
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  • Posted by rlewellen 11 years, 2 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You do a great job of explaining things. I usually find reading the study of philosophy very mind mushing. I think it's because after years of thinking, there are somethings t didn't need to be told. Your writing makes it flow. I have to go back now and read all that you wrote.
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  • Posted by $ WillH 11 years, 3 months ago
    This is the form of Christianity I subscribe to. I have not been able to communicate it as well as her, but that is no surprise.

    I call this being a Religious Objectivist. I place my self as an individual as my responsibility before helping anyone else do anything else. I may choose to help someone do something, but it is never in the form of a sacrifice.

    You will never hear me saying "Oh I want to die and go to heaven" or "Oh life is so hard" because I love my life. Because of this philosophy my relationship with god is my own, and I do not "belong" to a church. All of them I have ever found focus on the bad there is to life as if it is some giant struggle filled with sacrifice. I do not see it that way.

    Thank you so much for posting this, as it is what I have been meaning, but lacked the words to communicate properly.
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