[robertpaulsen]

"Objectivism doesn't require atheism ..."

Oh, I'd say the two go hand in hand. According to Ayn Rand:

"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."

Which Christian religion espouses this?

[ovrtaxt]

I've thought about that question quite a bit, being a Christian and a fan of Rand. I have to draw the line with Rand, though, when she gets on her anti-religious kick. True Christianity espouses concern for others over oneself, and egalitarian community- but these things can only come from an individual's free choice to take part- cerainly not to be demanded by the state or any other entity, except perhaps an internal appeal from God Himself.

Rand rejects all this, because all she sees is the external. Much like communists try to justify their control freak beliefs with the Bible, when all they're looking at is the end result of a thriving community, and they substitute the spiritual process for a political one.

So in my mind, I make an end run around Rand's atheism with the assertion that true happiness is found in a freewill sacrifice for others, in the Name of Jesus.

[jmc813]

"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." Which Christian religion espouses this?

Lutheranism is one.

[Sloth]

"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."

If a Christian's happiness is manifested in a rational desire to reach Heaven and avoid Hell while taking others with him, that'd seem consistent.

[dimquest]

usnjay wrote:

Objectivism doesn't require atheism any more than conservativism requires religion. There are many Chrisitian objectivists.

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robertpaulsen wrote:

Oh, I'd say the two go hand in hand. According to Ayn Rand:
"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."

Which Christian religion espouses this?

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Are there Christians that do not see happiness as one of the more moral purposes of life, with productive achievement as a noble activity, and reason as an absolute?

If they do not, - why? Could it be that such people have a skewed view of both Christianity & conservatism?