Why Ayn Rand Is a Fan Favorite Among Christian Theocrats

LongWinded · July 14th, 2015, 10:30 AM

Why Ayn Rand Is a Fan Favorite Among Christian Theocrats | Alternet

Quote:

. . .

Judging from recent trends, however, the icy divide over the God issue shows clear signs of melt. Gradual movement toward accommodation is coming not just from Christians wishing to co-opt Ayn Rand's capitalistic ethic, but from Randians seeking to expand their fan base.

A hint of compromise from the Randian side was evident this fall with the rollout of Atlas Shrugged, Part III, the final film segment of the novel. Whatever the film's cinematic defects--it has generally been panned by critics--the filmmakers have signaled an interest in reaching beyond the usual circle of devotees, realizing that traditional Christians, a key conservative demographic, are good targets for Rand's pro-capitalist message. John Aglialoro, the movie's main producer and a trustee of the pro-Randian Atlas Society, seemed to have their sensitivities in mind in an interview with Bill Frezza of Forbes Magazine a while back. "Most people have a respect for spirituality, maybe even a yearning," he stated. "There must be room in Objectivism for charity and benevolence."

To be sure, the film, which shows captains of industry abandoning a society they dislike to its doom, doesn't exactly exude "charity and benevolence." But by emphasizing the human element of the novel and carefully omitting its attacks on religion, the movie clearly tries to broaden its appeal. John Galt, heroic rebel against government tyranny, is portrayed as a typical red-blooded American rather than the philosophical atheist of the novel. The filmmakers, moreover, reinforce his cred with the faithful by enlisting Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck, both reliable Christians, to serve as fictional newscasters for his radio speech to the nation.

The film is not just an anomaly. It is one example of many attempts on the right to bridge, or at least make more compatible, the two worldviews. The trend is evident not only in the world of pop culture, but in religion, public advocacy and politics.

Two Christian intellectuals, for example, have advanced the issue in public forums. Mark Henderson, author of The Soul of Atlas: Ayn Rand, Christianity, and the Quest for Common Ground (2013), approaches the problem in personal terms. He narrates how his two fathers (one biological, the other step) alternatively promoted Christian and Randian value systems as he was growing up. While the contrast initially resulted in confusion for Henderson, it eventually produced in him a parallel attraction for both viewpoints. Without ever reconciling them, he tries to show how a person might graft them together into an operable worldview.

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More political moves from the right to make this a theocracy of worshiping the rich. Good grief.

pensacola_niceman · July 14th, 2015, 12:54 PM

You need to be a bit more creative and do more than just copy-and-paste alternet articles.

LongWinded · July 14th, 2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman

You need to be a bit more creative and do more than just copy-and-paste alternet articles.

If I were to try to explain this, I'd be accused of lying. THIS Way, everyone can read the article and decide if they agree or disagree. Attacking the messenger isn't exactly considered "discussion".

Sabcat · July 14th, 2015, 10:26 PM

Have you read any rand?

Sabcat · July 14th, 2015, 10:28 PM

I hear the film sucked tho.

LongWinded · July 15th, 2015, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabcat

Have you read any rand?

Not much. Still, to try to reconcile Ayn Rand with Christianity proves the republicans are NOT Christian but Christian Reconstruction.

Sabcat · July 15th, 2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongWinded

Not much. Still, to try to reconcile Ayn Rand with Christianity proves the republicans are NOT Christian but Christian Reconstruction.

I'm actually reading the fountainhead now. I just picked it up over the weekend. I didn't see atlas shrugged because I read that it was turned into a propaganda piece but it kept popping up on my Netflix cue. Maybe I'll check it out this weekend. On a side note of all the shitty films and TV shows that are getting the reboot why not 1984? I heard someone once say "there is a reason they call it programming"

pensacola_niceman · July 15th, 2015, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongWinded

If I were to try to explain this, I'd be accused of lying. THIS Way, everyone can read the article and decide if they agree or disagree. Attacking the messenger isn't exactly considered "discussion".

But Jimmy will criticize you for using the "google." Me, I am just saying that using the same source all the time makes it look like you need to broaden your perspective.

pensacola_niceman · July 15th, 2015, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabcat

Have you read any rand?

she sucks

Sabcat · July 15th, 2015, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pensacola_niceman

she sucks

That's a yes?

July 14th, 2015, 12:54 PM	#2
pensacola_niceman Your Own Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 31,694	You need to be a bit more creative and do more than just copy-and-paste alternet articles. Thanks from Jimmyb

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July 14th, 2015, 10:26 PM	#4
Sabcat Put some ice on that Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Earth Posts: 26,027	Have you read any rand?

July 14th, 2015, 10:28 PM	#5
Sabcat Put some ice on that Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Earth Posts: 26,027	I hear the film sucked tho.