1. wakarusaguy
   Member

   I've been noticing (in self-promoting tea-party videos misguided friends e-mail me) increasing reference to Ayn Rand and her political "philosophy." Just a word of warning to the saints.

   Ayn Rand was a Russian-born atheist who promoted a "philosophy" she called Objectivism. Her main teaching was "rational egoism:" that man's reason is the ultimate guide, and that the highest good is looking out for Number One. She despised all faiths, but reserved special hatred for Christianity's teachings of altruism, selflessness and mercy, which (in her opinion) weaken people and nations.

   Allen Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, was a personal disciple and lifelong friend of Ayn Rand. President Reagan, who appointed Greenspan, called himself her "admirer," and his policy of "de-regulating" American business won her praise. Justice Clarence Thomas has cited her writings as a major influence on his life and thought. Many other prominent "conservatives" endorse her teaching that the solution to society's problems is greater selfishness.

   The libertarian movement considers her a founder. The tea-partiers, it seems, are increasingly promoting her as a great thinker and prophet.

   I'd urge Christians to be aware of Ayn Rand's "philosophy," especially when it's the foundation of political deceptions targetted at Christians. A good place to start is her Wikipedia biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand.

   Blessings to all,

   In Jesus, Steve

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. EZEKIEL ROSE
   Member

   Thanks for starting this thread Steve. I was contemplating starting a thread about her book Atlas Shrugged and it's new found influence by three movies based on the book, the first of which has been released now. Now that you've got the ball rolling I'll throw in some links. Ayn Rand was about as far from Christianity as you can get as seen in these You tube clips.

   This was a television view filmed in 1959. I'll just copy the link to the first part and anyone wanting to watch it can view the others in sequence if they wish. This is a fairly comprehensive interview. You can also find an old Donahue show with her as a guest but this interview was one on one so I think it's more pertinent.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ukJiBZ8_4k

   John Stossel of Fox Business News briefly discusses the book and movies with Sean Hannity.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgh96DhU7Yc

   Then he discusses the book and movies with guests on his show.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QmAzEsrtyo

   Also any one wanting to watching it can watch the other parts in sequence.

   I appreciate John Stossel examining big government and the nanny state with all the bloated bureaucracy. I can't think of what else I got out of it.

   I don't believe that capitalism is the problem. I believe unbridled capitalism is "a" problem but it shouldn't be bridled too much. Back in the day the Church took care of the poor but today we let the Government do that while we do other things. Remember the government that can give you everything you need can take everything you have.

   Atlas shrugged is a huge book which is why they are making three movies out of it. A friend of mine is planning on getting the book and I'll see what he thinks of it. I can't be bothered reading it for my self.

   Does any one think that what John Stossel and his guests discuss has any positive value or is it all negative?

   I guess ultimately even though I think John and his guests have some interesting points Jesus should be the ultimate influence on how we live our lives.

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. abrother
   Member

   Thanks, Wakarusaguy.
   Ayn Rand represents an entire string of godless thought that has pervaded our western culture. I wrote an article in my blog any who are interested are invited to read called: AYN RAND OR CHRIST JESUS. Feel free to go there by clicking on my name on this comment. Just go to search and put in the name.

   God's blessings,
   A. Brother

   Posted 2 years ago #

4. wakarusaguy
   Member

   I didn't realize there's a new movie of one of Ayn Rand's "novels." Somebody sent me a review of the movie by Michael Gerson, of the Washington Post.

   Gerson finds it (as I would expect it to be) pretty awful. He attributes that to the fact her "novel" was entirely meant as a vehicle for her "philosophy."

   Some of his comments about why that "philosophy" makes an awful movie (it is, after all, a secular movie review) are worth noting here.

   "None of the characters expresses a hint of sympathetic human emotion -- which is precisely the point. Rand's novels are vehicles for a system of thought known as Objectivism. Rand developed this philosophy at the length of Tolstoy, with the intellectual pretensions of Hegel, but it can be summarized on a napkin.

   Reason is everything. Religion is a fraud. Selfishness is a virtue. Altruism is a crime against human excellence. Self-sacrifice is weakness. Weakness is contemptible.

   'The Objectivist ethics, in essence,' said Rand, 'hold that man exists for his own sake, that the pursuit of his own happiness is his highest moral purpose, that he must not sacrifice himself to others, nor sacrifice others to himself.'...

   Rand cherished a particular disdain for Christianity. The cross, she said, is 'the symbol of the sacrifice of the ideal to the nonideal. ... It is in the name of that symbol that men are asked to sacrifice themselves for their inferiors. That is precisely how the symbolism is used. That is torture.'...

   Reaction to Rand draws a line in political theory. Some believe with Rand that all government is coercion and theft — the tearing down of the strong for the benefit of the undeserving. Others believe that government has a limited but noble role in helping the most vulnerable in society — not motivated by egalitarianism, which is destructive, but by compassion, which is human. And some root this duty in God’s particular concern for the vulnerable and undeserving, which eventually includes us all. This is the message of Easter, and it is inconsistent with the gospel of Rand."

   In Jesus, Steve

   Posted 2 years ago #

5. Veronica
   Member

   Hi, Wakarusaguy,

   This whole thing on Ayn Rand, and Atlas Shrugged reminded me of John Todd. He was popular for a very short time in the 1970's and then got discredited. One of the statements he made was that Ayn Rand was a witch and that this particular book was a blue print on how the end times are to be ushered in by the fall of big governments and a one world government take over by the illuminati. Do you know anything about that? If you do what are your thoughts on it. You might be able to look up John Todd on You Tube for some of his past statements.

   Great topic,

   In Jesus,

   Veronica

   Posted 2 years ago #

6. EZEKIEL ROSE
   Member

   Thanks for confirming what I heard Veronica. I wonder how many people are aware of the reality behind the book and the movies as the book becomes popular again and the movies are released.

   John Todd was a bit of a shooting star and he shook things up a bit. To say that he was controversial is an understatement! However this thread is about Ayn Rand. If I can get enough information I may start a thread about him.

   I wonder how the dynamics of the controversy behind the book and movies will bring about one world Government as liberals aren't happy with the message in them.

   Posted 2 years ago #

7. wakarusaguy
   Member

   Ezekiel Rose:

   Glad you were familiar with John Todd, and may be able to address Veronica's questions. Thanks, brother.

   But I have to ask for an explanation here: "I wonder how the dynamics of the controversy behind the book and movies will bring about one world Government as liberals aren't happy with the message in them."

   Ayn Rand's teachings are deeply anti-Christian, so I have to assume all Christians reject them. It's good to know that "liberals" join us in despising her satanic "philosophy." But how exactly does rejecting her evil teachings bring about one-world government....?

   In Jesus, Steve

   Posted 2 years ago #

8. Veronica
   Member

   Hi again,
   From what I gather (please educate me) The rich powers purposely bankrupt their own companies to instill fear and control of the masses. They also like to divide and conquer. From chaos and destruction they bring people under their new order.
   Very brief cliff note on some things I've read.

   Thanks agin,
   In Jesus, With Love,

   Veronica

   Posted 2 years ago #

9. EZEKIEL ROSE
   Member

   John Todd on Atlas Shrugged

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPF6IaQ2Gts

   Good question Steve. I'm just thinking about the fact that non Christians from all walks of life be they liberal or conservative will ultimately be sucked "together" into the one world government and religion.

   I guess I'm wondering how Atlas Shrugged is a blue print for a one world government if the huge number of American liberals reject it.

   Any one learning about John Todd for the first time will be shocked by a lot of what he says. Several weeks back I found a site that had all of his tapes archived to be downloaded freely but I haven't been able to find it again so far.

   Just a warning to who ever wants to learn about John Todd. He was extremely controversial and rocked the boat for the short time he was a saved from the occult before his disappearance and possible death.

   One thing about Atlas Shrugged is that it seems to be extremely prophetic when looking at todays political scene.

   Posted 2 years ago #

10. Veronica
    Member

    Hi again,
    From what I gather (please educate me) The rich powers purposely bankrupt their own companies to instill fear and control of the masses. They also like to divide and conquer. From chaos and destruction they bring people under their new order.
    Very brief cliff note on some things I've read.

    Thanks agin,
    In Jesus, With Love,

    Veronica

    Posted 2 years ago #

11. EZEKIEL ROSE
    Member

    Hey Veronica we posted our replies so close to each other!

    Have you ever heard of the Hegelian Dialectic?

    Basically it's what a lot of our politicians have been practicing for decades. Adolph Hitler and his Nazi government practiced it.

    They secretly create a crisis and when the people kick up a fuss about how it's affecting them the politicians announce that they have a solution and ask the people to vote for them or give them more power. Republicans and Democrats act as a tag team each creating crises and offering the solution to the problems the others create.

    Have you ever noticed that things never seem to get better but an illusion is created to make us think that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel? Like for example the drop in unemployment is actually people no longer drawing unemployment because their unemployment payments have expired.

    When you think about it Obama's Hope and Change have become Hopeless Change. Supposedly McCain would have done almost exactly the same things as Obama. Watch out for the next dreams to be sold by the next gaggle of candidates.

    Sorry if I deviated from your question. What I should add is that the great plan is order out of chaos after making the chaos in the first place.

    Just look at George W Bush correcting his freudian slip. When he refers to "restoring chaos"

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN3bmF0Dw1M

    Posted 2 years ago #

12. EZEKIEL ROSE
    Member

    Whoops! I forgot to say what the Hegelian Dialectic is.

    Problem, Reaction, Solution.

    They create the problem. The people react and then the solution is provided.

    Posted 2 years ago #

13. Veronica
    Member

    Dear Ezekiel Rose,

    The first time I saw the Hegelian Dialectic was on this u-tube song. I found it interesting, It also lead me to some teachings by William Cooper. I hope and pray that this is not going off the topic or too much. I have some friends really into the tea party movement too. It makes me just want to pray and say OK Dear Jesus What do you have for me to do in this time. I appreciate any input as I really want to use my mind. I stopped watching TV.

    In Jesus,

    Veronica

    Posted 2 years ago #

14. Veronica
    Member

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VZB1KVsBK4

    Posted 2 years ago #

15. Veronica
    Member

    DEAR EZEKIEL ROSE,

    FORGET THE FIRST DOWN LOAD. I DOWNLOADED IT INCORRECTLY THE DOWN LOAD BY ITSELF IS CORRECT. I AM SO SORRY.

    VERONICA

    Posted 2 years ago #

16. Veronica
    Member

    PS Is there some way to go back and erase the incorrect down load out of the blog?

    Posted 2 years ago #

17. Veronica
    Member

    Yeah I just got it how to edit. Thanks

    Posted 2 years ago #

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