Ayn Rand vs. Jesus
May 27, 2011By: Rachel Johnson
It’s a tried and true adage that politics makes for strange bedfellows. Often this can lead to creative collaborations and innovative problem solving that is laudable (and too rare) in politics. But there’s a sordid side to this reality as well, when strange bedfellows cross over into unholy alliances, and intellectual honesty and moral integrity are sacrificed for consolidation of power. That is what is happening right now within certain circles in the GOP with the resurgence in popularity of atheist philosopher and patron saint of selfishness Ayn Rand.
The American Values Network (AVN) just released a video exposing Rand’s teachings and the influence she has had on prominent Republican leaders and conservative pundits. Paul Ryan, author of the Republican budget, cites Rand as the reason he got in to politics and has said that hers is the “kind of thinking that is sorely needed right now.” Sen. Rand Paul frequently cites Rand’s novels in committee hearings. Sen. Ron Johnson has called Atlas Shrugged his “foundation book.” Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News personalities have all also heaped on the praise for her. Here is the problem. For years GOP leaders have purposefully invoked the language of faith and moral values to justify their policies and court religious voters. Ayn Rand’s philosophy stands in direct contradiction to those values and the teachings of Jesus.
It’s not just that Rand is an atheist who considers Christianity’s central narrative of the cross to be “monstrous” (the cross has been called foolishness before and will again). Rand advocates a morality of selfishness and a worldview based on individualism that is fundamentally incompatible with the teachings of Jesus. Where Jesus says, “love your neighbor as you love yourself,” Rand says, “love only those who deserve it.” Where Jesus says, “Give to any that asks of you,” Rand says, “I am challenging the moral code of altruism.” Instead of Jesus’ command to “feed my sheep,” in Rand’s world “men [are] perishing by their attempt to be their brothers’ keeper.” Rand herself has stated in no uncertain terms that one cannot follow her and Christ.
In an attempt to hold together the disparate constituencies of social conservative Christians and libertarian Tea Partiers, Paul Ryan and other Republican leaders have attempted to create an unholy trinity of Ayn Rand, Jesus Christ, and the GOP. But, as the classic children’s song goes, “One of these things is not like the other. One of these things does not belong.” Nothing about the philosophy of Ayn Rand and the teaching of Jesus Christ is like the other. So the GOP must decide – who doesn’t belong? They can’t have both.
Reposted from Recovering Evangelical
Ayn Rand’s view of God and His economy was merely short-sighted. She didn’t carry the very thoughts she endorsed far enough in understanding “the riches of [God's] inheritance in the saints.” God, in a very real sense, invested His riches–not for nothing–but to enrich and enlarge Himself through His expression in the corporate body of saints, the Body of Christ, the church.
Had she seen and understood this, it would have connected very well with her basic philosophies.
Ayn Rand has long been the intellectual darling of many both on the secular right but also the religious right, and that’s curious given Rand’s writing is widely credited with having inspired Anton LaVey, founder of the Church Of Satan and author of The Satanic Bible. Cited in the rather staid academic work Contemporary Religious Satanism: A Critical Anthology, Anton LaVey is quoted as having admitted that his religion was “just Ayn Rand’s philosophy with ceremony and ritual added.”
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2011/5/4/9476/33834
While Ayn Rand’s “Objectivism” is her own private made-up religion, that isn’t the basis of the book “Atlas Shrugged”. Are we now not supposed to read books written by atheists, ever? I support the philosophy that taking money from my neighbors is stealing, having the government do it for me is legalized plunder, and helping the poor is a personal moral obligation. I reject Objectivism, but I don’t understand the backlash against Atlas Shrugged, especially since the story isn’t what’s being discussed.
Ayn Rand was a sociopath who rejected the very concept that we should care about our fellow man because it is the right thing to do. She mocked any such thinking. Her social Darwinism (the superior people matter, the inferiors do not) reminds one of Hitler’s German ubermenschen ruling over — or exterminating — all the inferior and “unworthy” lives. It is sad indeed that this kind of immoral irresponsibility can be held up as a paragon of morality by the political right. Jesus and Rand are opposites, like God and Satan.
Kunst ….good reply…cu-does …you are “spot-on”!
I’m always amazed how people who either claim to be Christians or know the teaching of Jesus consistently distort the Bible and Jesus’ teachings in an attempt to distract others to support redistribution of income. Jesus never supported nor encouraged the government taking personal property or wealth from others to redistribute to others in society. Jesus’ teaching viewed this as a personal, individual responsibility, NOT that of the government. Jesus also never spoke about collective salvation, only individual salvation and the responsibility of the individual. More importantly, Jesus avoided the political issues of his time and focused on the issues of the individual’s soul and their relationship with God. Although Ayn Rand may not have believed in God or religion, it’s her economic and political views which are more and frankly are not inconsistent with the teaching of Jesus. Basically it is the responsibility of the individual to strive to the best, to grow the economy, but more importantly that it is not the government’s role to take income from one person to redistribute to someone else. That action is basically theft! Not only theft of the individual’s property (their income), but the theft of their efforts/work, and their capability. For those Christians who claim to be true followers, that is a violation of God’s law. The AVN group wants to distort Jesus’ teaching and convince other Christians that Jesus supported the theft of an individual’s property by the government to redistribute to those who the government believes to be worthy, even if it is in contradiction to the individual’s core values.
Christians and other religions need to learn this is a technique used by those who want to manipulate you and convince that collective salvation is what Jesus believed and theft of your property and wealth is good. Wake up before it’s too late!!
Christians always interpret their sacred scripture in line with their social understanding of the world. That’s why you find different Christians with different understandings of their own religion. Nothing very strange here…but this surely undercuts any objective absolute reading of the Bible. Herein follows a test case germane to the discussion. You understand it to mean that Jesus favors or opposes paying taxes?
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
WHY was Ayn Rand against religion? WHY was she an atheist? She makes it very clear in her philosophy. But REASON didn’t matter to you. An honest and rational evaluation of her philosophy didn’t matter. What mattered to you was taking her statements and presenting them without context.
Consider this quote:
“God” as traditionally defined is a systematic contradiction of every valid metaphysical principle. The point is wider than just the Judeo-Christian concept of God. No argument will get you from this world to a supernatural world. No reason will lead you to a world contradicting this one. No method of inference will enable you to leap from existence to a “super-existence.” – Leonard Peikoff
What do you THINK about that?
“The good, say the mystics of spirit, is God, a being whose only definition is that he is beyond man’s power to conceive—a definition that invalidates man’s consciousness and nullifies his concepts of existence. . . . Man’s mind, say the mystics of spirit, must be subordinated to the will of God. . . . Man’s standard of value, say the mystics of spirit, is the pleasure of God, whose standards are beyond man’s power of comprehension and must be accepted on faith . . . The purpose of man’s life . . . is to become an abject zombie who serves a purpose he does not know, for reasons he is not to question.”
What do you THINK about that?
Ayn Rand presented a moral defense of Capitalism based on RATIONALITY. Aren’t you at least interested in learning about whar she said?
Ayn Rand’s moral values were rationality, productivity, justice, self-esteem, honesty, integrity, independence of mind. Isn’t this what we need in Washington?
Kunst said: “Ayn Rand was a sociopath who rejected the very concept that we should care about our fellow man because it is the right thing to do. She mocked any such thinking.”
Let’s see what Rand actually did say:
“Do not hide behind such superficialities as whether you should or should not give a dime to a beggar. That is not the issue. The issue is whether you do or do not have the right to exist without giving him that dime. The issue is whether you must keep buying your life, dime by dime, from any beggar who might choose to approach you. The issue is whether the need of others is the first mortgage on your life and the moral purpose of your existence. The issue is whether man is to be regarded as a sacrificial animal.”
Are you able to grasp the principle here? Do you get that Rand was NOT against VOLUNTARY charity…she was against taking money BY FORCE from people that earned it to redistribute to people that did not earn it.
Was she a sociopath because she did not avocate initiation of force against others? Because she was against this type of slavery?
Let’s read more:
“The fact that a man has no claim on others (i.e., that it is not their moral duty to help him and that he cannot demand their help as his right) does not preclude or prohibit good will among men and does not make it immoral to offer or to accept voluntary, non-sacrificial assistance.
It is altruism that has corrupted and perverted human benevolence by regarding the giver as an object of immolation, and the receiver as a helplessly miserable object of pity who holds a mortgage on the lives of others—a doctrine which is extremely offensive to both parties, leaving men no choice but the roles of sacrificial victim or moral cannibal.”
I highly suggest that you honestly read what Ayn Rand said before telling people what she stands for and calling her a sociopath.
Ayn Rand explicitly rejected social Darwinism.
Psychology, economics, and practical experience all confirm that if you give to those who don’t deserve it, you encourage them to continue their undeserving behavior. The more you do it, the more you damage both them and yourself.
Neither Rand’s ideas of religion and social philosophy nor the ridiculous idea of some mystical magic spaceman that lives in the sky and grants wishes to those who ask nicely seems to me to be a solid foundation upon which to base an entire world view. A wider reality demands a wider perspective. Surrendering rationality to any religion is just as bad as surrendering liberty to any tyrant. Those who would sacrifice their liberty to achieve a measure of security deserve neither – and history has shown, time and again, that they will keep neither for very long. Religion does not belong in government, and I do mean EVERY religion! Not christianity, not islam, not wicca (Christine O’Donnell, not mormonism, no religion at all. They are all a bunch of crap designed to keep the masses in line and easy to control. Religion crushes the human spirit, about that much, at least, Rand was right on.
What mazes ME, GH (June 12),
are people who try to speak as authorities on BOTH Jesus and Rand who don’t seem to have read much about EITHER.
I’m no expert on Rand, but the little I have read – which includes “The Virtue of Selfishness” – makes it pretty obvious that what bugged Rand about both Judaism and Christianity is what Jesus said was “the whole ball of wax”, i.e.
1. Love God with all your heart, etc. and
2. Love your neighbor as you do yourself.
Now I DO consider myself an expert on Christianity, having devoted most of my 74 year life to it, and having earned a graduate degree in Theology and spent most of my adult life studying and promoting the teaching and example of Jesus. As a liberal, I still consider myself a “Christian” although there are a number of things about the bible that I don’t believe in.
But,unlike some of her followers who think they can follow her and still be Christians, Ayn Rand knew very well how contrary to the CENTRAL teaching of Judeo-Christianity her doctrine was and was honest enough to proclaim “on the roof tops” that it objectivism was meant to destroy and replace those two CORE TENETS of Judaism, Christianity (and any other faith that embraced them).
When GH says that “Jesus also never spoke about collective salvation, only individual salvation.”, who has ever spoken of “collective salvation”? I find that as hard to even imagine as “collective inoculation”.
If what he means by that is a community being saved by the actions of another, then Conservative Christians would argue that “collective salvation” is PRECISELY what Jesus taught.
When GH says that “Jesus also never spoke about collective salvation, only individual salvation.”, who has ever spoken of “collective salvation”? I find that as hard to even imagine as “collective inoculation”.
If what he means by that is a community being saved by the actions of another, then Conservative Christians would argue that “collective salvation” is PRECISELY what Jesus taught.
Let me finally address the biggest mistake that so-called “Christians” who love Ayn Rand make. GH argues (following the lead sets for him by Rand in her “Virtue of Selfishness” book) at June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
“Jesus never supported nor encouraged the government taking personal property or wealth from others to redistribute to others in society. Jesus’ teaching viewed this as a personal, individual responsibility, NOT that of the government.”
What these Christians haven’t noticed is the death of Caesar. Just because Jesus didn’t say that Caesar should care for the needy doesn’t mean that he didn’t mean for his FOLLOWERS to care for the needy, if and when THEY became the government. Now that we who believe as Jesus did, we can vote for policies that provide for a more JUST, EQUITABLE, COMPASSIONATE and CIVILIZED society, as opposed to the jungle society Ayn Rand promoted.
As for the constantly repeated absurdity that taxation=armed robbery, Rand says
“It is obvious…that a man receives his own money which was taken from him by force, directly and specifically, without his consent, against his own choice. Those who advocated such laws are morally guilty.”
Now, I’ve had lots of money taken from me by force, directly and specifically, without my consent, against my own choice and given to three people I disliked, a Republican Mayor, a Republican Governor and a Republican President. If the tax-collector doesn’t give me all that money back, I’m going to call the police!!!! Silly? You bet! (At least we have since replaced all three with DEMOCRATS, and didn’t need to use “2nd Amendment remedies!)
You are missing something here.. Anton Lavey, founder of the Church of Satan and author of the Satanic Bible was also in love with Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Lavey said,”Satanism is just Ayn Rand’s philosophy with ceremony and rituals added”. Bad news for the GOP, since they have publicly worshipped Ayn Rand. Search Ayn Rand Anton Lavey. Rand said,” Christianity, altruism and philantrophy are signs of weakness in a capitalist society.” Rand despised Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment Insurance, Welfare, and wanted ALL social safety net programs abolished. Eric Cantor(R) VA, Paul Ryan (R)WI, the Tea Party, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Fox News, Shawn Hannity, Fox & Friends, and many more Republicans have publicly adored Ayn Rand. Rand’s super hero was William Hickman, a man who kidnapped, raped, murdered and dismembered a 13 year old girl. The Republicans have taken the same path as the Satanists. Question is Preacher, do you try to save the GOP Wolves in sheep’s clothing or do you try to save the sheep they are trying to hurt??The Republicans think like the Satanists and have the same Godless philosopher, so , in my book the Republicans are indeed Satanists. By the way, Preacher while you weren’t looking, Bob Barr (R)GA, author of the Defense of Marraige Act, (the DOMA) reversed his position, now supports Gay & Lesbian Marraige and was the keynote speaker at the Gay & Lesbian Log Cabin Republican Convention in Dallas. The Republicans for choice. org group supporting abortion is gaining ground and more powerful Republicans. Christians have been used by these GOP Satanists to advance their evil policies. Time to choose, Wolves or Sheep.
Ayn Rand, the darling of the GOP, said, “The poor and working class are PARASITES feeding on the wealth accumulated by their intellectual and more industrious superiors.” Is this Christianity? There is no way to reconcile the two philosophies. Even the Satanists would probably run from this statement. That said, I am sure the Church of Satan welcomes all their new Republican converts to Ayn Rand’s beliefs which the Satanists share with the GOP.
This video is an emotional appeal that (as a one minute video can only do) lacks depth. It is possible to appreciate the aspects of Rand’s philosophy that are correct without embracing it completely. For a more rational critique of Rand’s philosophy from an evangelical perspective, I suggest John Piper’s essay, “The Ethics of Ayn Rand”
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/the-ethics-of-ayn-rand/print?lang=en
The right has done it before, and now the left is getting in on the game; when you can’t use reason to defeat your opponent on an issue, pretend you have your god on your side. Atheists have, for a very long time, been the punching bags and scapegoats of politicos looking to score cheap shots with America’s faithful. Shame for following this tactic.
6.GH says:
June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
I’m always amazed how people who either claim to be Christians or know the teaching of Jesus consistently distort the Bible and Jesus’ teachings in an attempt to distract others to support redistribution of income.
“Oh Contraire! The Redistribution of Money Gained upon the Backs of the Sickly and the Emotionally Unbalanced and the Mentally Ill and the Physically Handicapped and even the Elderly who are Laying Within Grouped Homes because their Immediate Families could not Cope!!!!!”
Who are Their Benefactors that recieve such Ill-Gotten Gain?
Trust Me, I Do Not Believe in a Free Handouts to Those who are Truly Found out to be Unworthy of Governmental Handouts, But; Such an Overtly Unjustifiable Act of Preeminently Allocation to Let the Wealthiest get Wealthier and Wealthier is an Abomination in Not Only My Eyes bau Also in the Eyes of All God-Fearing People!
6.GH says:
June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
“Jesus never supported nor encouraged the government taking personal property or wealth from others to redistribute to others in society.”
Luk 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
It is Not True that “Modern Day”Political Precepts do fester with Ill-Gotten Gain and Most are as Gluttonous as are their Rich Supporters. The Hordes of Money-Grubbing Mongrels in Times of Today are Contemptuously Immoral and seek to Enslave Humankinds’ Manliness and Womanhood Within the Vulgarities of Unsound Doctrines that only the Satanic Virtuosos Appreciate!
6.GH says:
June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
“Jesus also never spoke about collective salvation, only individual salvation and the responsibility of the individual.”
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
But I say, “Our Fathers which are in the heavens of Heaven, Hallowed be their names. Their Kingdoms come, Their Wills be done as in their heavens and also upon the Earth. Give to All; Good thoughts and our daily bread and Forgive us all our sins as we also forgive others who have sinned against us and lead none into Temptations but deliver us all from evil; for GOD is the Power and the Glory, Forevermore, Amen.”
6.GH says:
June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
“More importantly, Jesus avoided the political issues of his time and focused on the issues of the individual’s soul and their relationship with God.”
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see [it]. And they brought [it]. And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
6.GH says:
June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
“Although Ayn Rand may not have believed in God or religion, it’s her economic and political views which are more and frankly are not inconsistent with the teaching of Jesus. Basically it is the responsibility of the individual to strive to the best, to grow the economy, but more importantly that it is not the government’s role to take income from one person to redistribute to someone else. That action is basically theft! Not only theft of the individual’s property (their income), but the theft of their efforts/work, and their capability.”
It most Definitively IS NOT any Indivduals role to Grow the Economy and is in Fact, the Governments Role to engage in Active Policies to Enrich Economic Development and be ever mindful where the “SHORT STRAW” is!
As for “not the government’s role to take income from one person to redistribute to someone else” I find to be Atrocious and Downright Incompetent! Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and yes even Welfare not to mention WICCA are all Basic Governmental Policies enacted through both Houses toward the betterment of needful Individual’s Sakes.
Are These Governmental Programs Truly Thievery? I think Not!
6.GH says:
June 12, 2011 at 9:41 am
“The AVN group wants to distort Jesus’ teaching and convince other Christians that Jesus supported the theft of an individual’s property by the government to redistribute to those who the government believes to be worthy, even if it is in contradiction to the individual’s core values.
Christians and other religions need to learn this is a technique used by those who want to manipulate you and convince that collective salvation is what Jesus believed and theft of your property and wealth is good. Wake up before it’s too late!”
What Poppycock!”the theft of an individual’s property by the government to redistribute to those who the government believes to be worthy” Money is NOT PROPERTY! It is a TOOL used to Barter with! The Governed People of the USA Ought to wake up and smell the Offensiveness that such Idiosyncratic Contemplatives regarding: “the theft of an individual’s property by the government to redistribute to those who the government believes to be worthy, even if it is in contradiction to the individual’s core values”
An Individual’s CORE Values does neither revolve around Money as being PROPERTY and the Theft of Reprobate Minds that cannot Fathom for themselves their Truancies Left Alone and Floundering will give way to the likes of Ayn Rand and her followers!
Nuff Said fer now!
I say bring it on, Jesus. Rand can take him easy.
Jesus let himself be crucified without objection and claimed he did it to absolve others of their sins. Rand told people to live for themsevles. All the other differences, thinking vs. following, seeing reality vs. fantasizing, follow from there.
You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. This is the 21st Century. I wish there was a time machine to take you back to the Dark Ages. You would love it there.
Keith Roberts – Thank you. Precisely.
When everyone else believes congress jump in and break medicare supplements?