Reading Atlas Shrugged this year has gotten me interested in the ideas of objectivism. Yesterday this video made me realize that objectivism is truly an atheistic philosophy, which I suspected already. I had already been trying to figure out how to bring ideas of objectivism into my life without compromising my strong Christian faith.

Here is a conversation I had with others who viewed this video.


josta59
I'm new to Rand and to objectivism, but so far I have taken all her ideas to heart while strongly maintaining my faith. I'm a total noob to all this, but I don't agree that reason and faith cannot each have equal part in one mind. There is the physical part of me, living on Earth and carving a life out for myself, and there is the spiritual part of me that relies on God and is guided down a spiritual path by him. Thoughts?


Signofthedollar
You're compartmentalizing. Which works fine until you meet Islamic extremists. There is video where Ayn Rand says the idea that "God" represents is the highest ideal. But "God" is imaginary and its in our selfish interest to take pride in living up to the highest ideal.

chopsky
There's too much to discuss on this topic that could fit into one short youtube comment. It is impossible to fuse Objectivism (a philosophy based reason) with faith, as this would amount to a serious incompatibility/contradiction. If you like what you've seen/heard so far, I seriously recommend giving Rand's books a read (check ARI's Suggested Reading List) and doing further research on the subject of Objectivism.

josta59
Makes sense. I'm almost halfway through Atlas Shrugged, which is, of course, what got me interested in all this. I've learned a lot, and it very much influenced my presidential vote this month. I don't think it will ever topple my strong faith, though. I've experienced too much to rely on my five senses alone.

Nelapidae
Reason is the belief in something as true based on some kind of evidence, a causal element presented that links the assertion to some observable event. Faith is the belief in something as true based on no supporting evidence and often in the face of contradicting evidence. These are diametrically opposite mental processes.

josta59
I can't argue that, but I think the mind (and soul, if you believe in it) is capable of more than you give it credit for. I think the cross of Christ makes that possible. That was not an imaginary event, and it was not without purpose. He didn't die in vain; he took our place in the ultimate act of sacrifice. Because of that, I can live in this world, provide for my family and be the best businessman I can be while concurrently living for my Lord, my fellow man and a life beyond this one. I don't require supporting evidence for something I've experienced in spirit. Why would I limit myself to the physical world if there's even a chance that it's only a tiny part of the human experience?

[I'll update you if there's any more response.]


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scottntara.blogspot.com

This is getting too complicated to post here, so I'll just direct you to the comments page for this video:

http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=kHh8UmtEhdU


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scottntara.blogspot.com