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What I often find about "objectivists" (I won't say it's true of all) is they don't admit there prejudices.

LOL I'm an objectivist, and I freely admit my own prejudices. Oh, hell yeah! If it weren't for my own prejudices, I wouldn't be an objectivist.

In fact, I'm a gun-totin', flag-wavin', don't-tread-on-me, bomb-the-Arabs-screamin', Constitution-lovin' objectivist, to boot!

And every bit of my personal ideology can be supported by cold, hard facts and reason. I don't understand why we get ragged on by conservatives so badly. We're all engaged in the fight for the future of humanity, the war between socialistic serfdom and the freedom and dignity of the individual.

As far as religion goes, I think of religious freedom as the natural corollary of freedom of speech, religious freedom denoting freedom of conscience. And without conscience (in this context), there is no speech. Everyone has a right to their own faith, so long as they do not use it as a tool of coercion. (Ie: Islamic fundamentalism)

"As far as religion goes, I think of religious freedom as the natural corollary of freedom of speech, religious freedom denoting freedom of conscience. And without conscience (in this context), there is no speech. Everyone has a right to their own faith, so long as they do not use it as a tool of coercion. (Ie: Islamic fundamentalism)"

Very well put. I think that ideological cooperation with religious individuals would be quite to Objectivists' benefit once most conservative Christians come to understand that only the separation of Church and State can render it possible for atheists and religious persons to share the same society and engage in non-coercive, mutually beneficial economic exchanges without fear of purges, stigma, and ideological suffocation.

And every bit of my personal ideology can be supported by cold, hard facts and reason.

You mean every bit of your personal ideology can be supported by your interpretation of cold, hard facts and your ability to reason.

Unless your interpretation is perfect, and your ability is perfect, your personal ideology can not be based on truth. And I know your ability is not perfect even if your interpretation is.

Shalom.