Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, and why it's no good for the Church.

This will be a short summary in order to raise awareness in some very important issues regarding Ayn Rand's  ideaology Objectivism and why it not only does not follow Christian ethics but is directly against the teachings of Jesus Christ and the commandments we are given to follow as the Church.

First, what is a philosophical system? It's a defined way of thinking that has been developed by a group using logic and reason for the purpose of guiding those who follow the methods and education of the system in making correct choices in right action and discerning what is wrong action.  What makes a philosophical system special is it was designed using logic and reason in order to make sure there were no contradictions in the system that would cause confusion and so the system could be defended against criticism from those who don't follow it.  Many Christians feel philosophical systems of thought aren't necessary and I will admit for those in the Spirit and with Christ in their heart following His commandments always in a loving manner will not need the guidance of any philosophical system.  I would, however, say it is necessary for those in Christ to study and understand the philosophical systems of the world in order to better understand those following them in order to love, serve, and cooperate with them.

Ayn Rand's system of Objectivism is not a philosophical system because it does not meet the requirement of being designed using logic and reason. This makes Objectivism an ideaology, which is a system of rules in how to think and methods for behavior in order to support an idea. Other examples of ideologies are rarely positive or beneficial for those outside the ideological system. In the modern world, examples of ideaologies are the Taliban, Hamas, the IRA, NAMBLA, and in all fairness many of the fundamentalist religious organizations within our Church operate as ideologies sometimes to the overall detriment to the Church Universal's mission.

Ayn Rand developed Objectivism and wrote the books "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged" to communicate her ideas to the world. The book "Atlas Shrugged" has been made into a film, which is a more popular media venue to the majority of the public than books.

The ideas put forward by Rand's work are as follows:

An individual person is able to perceive reality in the world using only their senses and their mind. That was an individual senses is an accurate view of reality and is the only reality that exists.  There is that exists beyond the senses of man and the conscious mind is sufficient to interpret the senses perfectly.

An individual's mind is sufficient to reason what is good or bad without reference to any external knowledge.

External systems of knowledge and morals are invalid and not to be followed or respected. Objectivism's perspective views religion as untrue and unnecessary but is not particularly hostile to religious institutions. Objectivism is hostile to all other philosophies and systematically identifies them and disputes them as invalid. The consequence of this invalidating all other philosophical systems is Objecivists, seeing themselves as part of a philosophical system, no longer are obligated to listen to or respond to other philosophical systems' criticisms because they are not valid. A philosophical system's claims can only be challenged and changed using logic and reason, so systems deemed invalid aren't considered to operate using logic and reason.

Individual rights, or the right of an individual to govern their own thoughts and behavior free from any influence or consideration of outside sources and groups. The individual is capable of seeing the whole of reality and equipped to reason right from wrong so should not listen to or follow any external influence that contradicts their own choices of what is right.

Rational self-interest, which is the belief in Objectivism that an individual is to do what is best for them in every situation. They are to reason out their choices and pick the ones most beneficial to themselves without any other considerations.

The moral ethic of Objectivism follows that there is only one moral concept, which is only actions that benefit the individual are moral. The consequence of those actions to others are not relevant and intentionally doing actions that do not benefit self but do benefit others are considered immoral.  Altruism is defined as immoral. This means, according to Objectivism, the sacrifice Christ made for our sins was immoral unless that sacrifice somehow benefited Christ.  Since they do not believe Christ to be other than a man then his actions were immoral.

Unrestricted Free Market Capitalism: Rand believed and advocated that unrestricted free market capitalism is the best and only economic system that maximizes the potential benefits for every one participating. Her reason is as follows; since the only moral action is to do things that benefit yourself then Capitalism where a supplier is benefited by money in exchange for a good that benefits a consumer which is facilitated by investors and businesses that get a profit and labor works for a wage.  Everyone is doing something for their own benefit and so everyone has the opportunity to be moral actors while participating in society.

The poor, disabled, elderly, infirm, and any disadvantaged person has the freedom and moral obligation to act in their own interest to better their own situation. If they are unable to better their situation through their own efforts then that's just how it is and it is no other person's fault.  It's natural selection applied to society. Those able to benefit themselves will prosper, those unable will not; the end.

The principle of non-aggression: This states it is immoral to use violence to try and force some one else to do something that benefits yourself. An individual is morally obligated to persuade others to do what they want by any means not involving violence (including threats). While it is immoral to be the first aggressor it is moral to use violence to defend oneself from aggression. This whole moral concept is the central linchpin that forms an Objectivist system's laws, if there are any, which would forbid theft of property and violence.  Any other action that do not fall under theft or violence to compel action are allowed.  Persuading others to do what you want or to cooperate towards common goals can be achieved by any method including lying, deception, manipulation, or any action short of aggression. This concept, here, this ethic is what makes the entire system of Objectivism and those who claim to be Objectivists completely untrustworthy and their reasons and methods should be held in suspicion for anything they want from anyone because the only motivation is self-interest.

Methods of influence include literature, books, media, propaganda, lying, reasoning, arguing using logic, and the list could go on for several pages describing methods of influence allowed to an Objectivist that are commonly held by most systems to be immoral.

These ideas are being sold separately by different means. Whether directly through "Atlas Shrugged" or individually by other means, the ideas are being persuasively given in various audiences and they are taking root. Objectivist ideas are appearing in the church congregation members.  What is worst, though, is it would be a perfectly moral action for an Objectivist to join and participate in a church if it benefited them.

I will be writing more regarding this topic.