[chesley]

I guess that a distinction must be made between Satan, the person, and Satanism, the religion. I find that many of Rand's ideas are incompatible with Christianity as I understand it.

Which doesn’t mean that she isn't right about other ideas.

However Satan can use anything that isn't what God wants. Islam, socialism, nationalism and internationalism, yoga, even.

Some of the things Satan uses may be neutral in themselves, but if they are not used to the greater glory of God, then there is the danger that they are being used by Satan

[danielmryan]

I find that many of Rand's ideas are incompatible with Christianity as I understand it.

You're right; Objectivism is incompatible with Christianity. Rand has more in common with the pagan philosophers, who all agreed that the purpose of morality was to act as a guide to live the good life. Even the Stoics and Cynics, which saw self-denial as a way of making oneself a better person, saw reward in self-denial: independence and self-respect.