Do Objectivists believe the government shouldn’t impose morality on people?
Objectivists believe the government can no more impose morality on people as it can impose gravity on people. If the government would simply protect us in our rights, then reality imposes morality on us. The bottom line is: If you don’t work, you starve.
Ah, but what if we define “morality” is a way that is self-sacrificial? That is, what if the reason for you to work isn’t to enable you to live well, but to enable others to live well. Well, that;s what modern-day government is in the business of doing. Taking from some and giving to others. You need government to turn things around from reality in order to pervert objective morality.
For a religious person, it is easy to see how the world is so organized that if we each pursue our self-interest while respecting the equal rights of others, that everything will work our well. This is because a religious person believes in a providential God. Hence, a religious person can easily accept that self-interest and social harmony can and should go hand in hand. That relying on God’s providential design, rather than on government, is a test of faith for which God stands ready to reward us for relying on him. The self-interest part, the social interest part and the obedience to God part all come together for a religious person.
But, what about an atheist? Does the atheist see the big picture or even care? And, can an atheist ever be trusted when nobody is looking? Well, here os what I’ll say, there are atheists who do see the big picture and are in awe of it. But, in my opinion, not many. And, I don’t think you can really trust anybody, religious or atheist.
“..Do Objectivists believe the government shouldn’t impose morality on people?
Objectivists believe the government can no more impose morality on people as it can impose gravity on people. If the government would simply protect us in our rights, then reality imposes morality on us. The bottom line is: If you don’t work, you starve...”
Which is where Objectivism falls down, the idea that a Govt can be neutral is absurd as all a Govt amounts to is a framework that is manned by people who have worldviews and opinions and educations that shape how they see their role inside that framework.
People are verbs, not nouns, what informs their worldview is the type of Governance the people receive.
As for Atheism and morality, no where is it written that Atheists cannot also be Ethical the two are not opposed to one another, however the experience of human history is the greatest oppressions happen under States that are self declared Atheistic.
A neighbor who is an atheist is no threat to anyone, a Govt that is Atheistic is a threat to everyone.