Posted on 06/27/2009 8:00:09 PM PDT by jhoge
Ayn Rand was an atheist. According to her one-time associate Barbara Branden, Rand became an atheist at age thirteen. Branden records Rand writing in her diary at that age: "Today I decided to be an atheist." Branden then reports her as later explaining, "I had decided that the concept of God is degrading to men. Since they say that God is perfect, man can never be that perfect, then man is low and imperfect and there is something above him – which is wrong." [Branden, PAR, p. 35.] Branden continues that Rand's "second reason" is that "no proof of the existence of God exists."
Rand therefore proposes two objections to the existence of God. First, belief in God degrades man, by positing something "higher" or more "perfect." Belief in God is anti-man. Second, there is no proof for the existence of God. While Rand would later emphasize the irrationality of belief in God, the impression from her writings is that her principal objection to belief in God was a moral or psychological one. [Ryan, OCR, p. 270.]
(Excerpt) Read more at solohq.org ...
Check out your electric bill once this monster kicks in (2012). You'll be praying to God for relief.
I believe that all atheists, conservative or not, are “endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights” whether they believe it or not.
Rights don’t “come from” anywhere. We are born with them.
"I had decided that the concept of God is degrading to men. Since they say that God is perfect, man can never be that perfect, then man is low and imperfect and there is something above him – which is wrong."Sad. Close, but pride got her.
I just had an odd thought: Ayn Rand as a fearsome and lifelong "cage stage" Calvinist. That would be an interesting alternate history...
Atheism and conservatism are two separate things, unless you’re talking about the social conservative wing of the
GOP.
Conservatism and religion don’t really have that much in connection, except that we make it so. The concepts are largely unrelated.
If I may butt in, trolls should be welcomed here. (Disruptors are another matter.) If they were met with kindness, reasoned debate, and maturity, they will either leave, or they will stay and can be convinced of the error of their ways.
What better chance to change minds than to meet people who’s minds need changing. Plus, on most stuff we are right and reason is on our side. We have the high ground and the easy side of the battle.
parsy, who remembers the Chaplain of Bourbon Street, who said he went to New Orleans because that’s where the most sin was.
The Golden Rule, older than the invention of religion, is the source of morality for all human beings, Atheist, or otherwise.
I am a constitutional conservative. My religion is nobody’s frickin’ business. If someone is worried about what goes on between me and my god then they need to get a life.
om heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
You view of the Creator is as good as anyone's
Welcome to Freerepublic!
This lifelong conservative and agnostic finds no conflict whatsoever.
I would agree that FR is Christian centric but in the many years I’ve visited and posted I’ve never felt unwelcome or been banned for paganism. The worst I’ve suffered for my agnosticism is a little well-meaning pity, maybe a prayer or two.
What brings you here and why do you ask?
You do not have to be Christian or a believer in God to be a person of good ethics.
BTW, I’m reading a book by Hayek right now. He had a great mind.
The KKK used religion to justify their abhorrent actions. Where did they get their sense of right and wrong?
Christian liberals opposed them. I don’t see religion helping. I see good men and women fighting evil men and women. Atheists and Theists are to be found on both sides.
I have. Its hard sometimes because I think I see too much in things and it is hard for people like me to have joy. I do try to have hope.
Thank you for caring.
parsy, the whatever
As near as I can tell a lurker is someone who isn’t a member. But I could be wrong.
I don’t think so. People would not die for another if that is all there was. Plus, love is a positive doing thing. I can’t see much source of morality outside of a god who put it in us. Reason alone would dictate the pretense of morality and the actions of immorality.
parsy, who used to agree with you
I’m not an atheist, but I prefer to discuss my political views on non-religious, or at least religiously-neutral grounds. Conservative principles are grounded in logic, reason, and observation and analysis of the natural world, not just obedience to Scripture. Unfortunately, a lot of Christian conservatives pass up logical arguments and quote Scripture instead, which might be effective if they’re arguing with other Christians; however, trying to sway a non-believer by quoting Scripture is about as useful as banging one’s head against a wall.
Endowed by our Creator nobody with certain inalienable rights...
Modern tyrants, whether atheist or religious have turned truth upon its head because it stood in their way.
“But, as a reader of FR and an atheist, I tend to see a lot of anti-atheist/agnostic dialog. Why? Am i just misguided? “
Do you believe you have inalienable right?
If so, who endowed you with them?
I don’t believe it is correct to call Ayn Rand a conservative, she is closer to being a libertarian. Conservatism in America today is firmly attached to the view that America’s traditional Judeo-Christian values should be maintained and strengthened. It would be difficult for an atheist to hold that position. Of course, anyone, atheist, agnostic, or of any other belief (or lack of belief) should be welcomed if they choose to ally themselves with Conservatism in the struggle to save Western Civilization.
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