There is nothing miraculous about it. It was actually a slow process of chemicals and environmental conditions coming together over billions of years to produce man.
Miracles are illogical fantasies that religious people use to explain their beliefs where logic falls short.
Furthermore, I don't reject creation because Ayn Rand does. I reject creation because it cannot be scientifically proven. Anyone who wants you to believe in creation usually tells you that you must have "Faith", and then asks you to donate 10% of your salary for "God".
I am quite willing to risk an eternity in hell, for intellectual freedom on earth. I think that hell and heavan are simply stories that men have created for two reasons: 1)They have unanswered questions such as "How did I get here? in their minds, make up an incredible story to explain it rather than accept that they may never know the answer. 2) They want to have power over others, so they claim that there is a great place in the afterlife (that can't be proven) and tell others that they must perform acts of self depravation to them to get their. We call these power hungry people priests and ministers.
I read most all of Rand's works as a young adult. I used to think of myself as a "Christian Objectivist", but discovered that I didn't need to pollute my Christianity by unequally yoking it to Randian Objectivism.
I have since seen Rand as a "blind squirrel" who occasionally found an acorn.
Well that's already happened, but Peikoff's not responsible.
Isn't it sad, to see Objectivism degenerating into militant atheism, under his influence?
Tony Snow tells the story of the Washington reporter who called him after the 1994 elections for introductions to Republicans. The reporter said "I don't know any."
And wasn't it the film critic Pauline Kael who, stunned at Nixon's landslide victory in 1972, said "Everybody I know voted for McGovern."
It's just as easy to be an intellectually ingrown atheist as it is to be a Democrat, or a country parson.
Ayn Rand And Her Legacy Of Idiotic Objectionists.
Reading Peikoff I don’t find him sneering at Christian’s but merely acknowledging reality. The commercial part of Christmas has eclipsed the religious celebration as demonstrated by where most Americans spend their time, money and energy. Compare the amount of ink used or thought put into Christmas trees, light displays, shopping for presents and all of the other secular parts of Christmas; as opposed to nativity scenes, religious services and thoughts about the birth of Christ.
Extreme atheism: extreme is an adjective that adds nothing to atheism. You are either an atheist or not just as you are either a theist or not; you can’t be any more or any less of an atheist.
Claiming Creation theory is more rational than evolution theory is wrong. While it is true that evolution as a complete theory is lacking in certain areas, it still is a simpler and therefore more likely explanation of the origin of the universe. If God exits he would have to be greater and more complex than that which he created. Theists believe that God somehow came into existence, which would be even less likely than that a less complex Universe happened on its own. You can’t arrive at a belief in God through a rational process; it requires faith.
I would have to agree with you about many of our current Socialist intellectual leaders desiring the sacrifice of others. But there are also Pastors that profess Christ while demanding sacrifice on the part of their congregation; sacrifice that in reality ends up benefiting primarily the church leaders.
To call the vision utopian is mistaken. Utopian requires a belief in the perfectibility of mankind. Ayn Rand laid out an idealized vision of man’s potential but I find no evidence that she expected many would live up to it. Until all men are perfect you can never create utopia and to try will always result in catastrophe. The best we can do is try to move things in a better direction.
To claim that an accurate historical description of the true origin of the Christmas holiday some how venerates paganism is wrong. If any one venerates paganism it is those that worship the holiday as a historical reality.
To end with a parting cheap shot about Ayn Rand being influenced by a socialist upbringing is beneath you. I enjoyed your little essay but I am sure with a little time you could have improved the title.
I have long wondered why these two concepts are mutually exclusive. Anyone willing to entertain the possibility that a supernatural and divine aspect was the catalyst for man emerging from the 'ooze'?
And I guess the author denies the truth of Jesus' deity, since he says "Christmas" and not "Chr-stmas." Right?
Silly practice.
I used to get the Rand newsletter...personally, I found the Randians pretty freakish and was please when they stopped sending it to me.
I do, however, consider 'We the Living' one of the 10 great books.
Once again, the Quasi-Intellectual trying to control human emotions. Humbug and Pitooi.
He starts with: "Ayn Rand...was a great advocate of free market capitalism and a significant anti-communist...". I wish conservatives were stronger advocates of free market capitalism. Why after two decades of mostly Republican controlled administrations are taxes the highest in peace-time history?
Methinks Charles should spend more time looking at his own parties' philosophy.
(Notice how he at least put on his best wife-beater T-shirt)
SDI SSgt. Hartman: "...A jelly donut?! Are you allowed to eat jelly donuts Private Morse?!"
Private Morse: "Sir, no sir!"
SDI SSgt. Hartman: "And why NOT, Private Morse?!"
Private Morse: "Sir, because I'm too heavy si--"
SDI SSgt. Hartman: "BECAUSE YOU ARE A DISGUSTING FATBODY, PRIVATE MORSE!!!"