The Fountainhead of Satanism

First Things ^ | June 8 2011 | Joe Carter

[shibumi]

"I did not realize that criticism of Ayn Rand's ideas was forbidden here. "

There are a lot of critics of Rand who post here.

Most of them use less ludicrous arguments.

[Shalmaneser]

This place just oozes friendliness.

[Yosemitest]

If you want to scare someone about the dangers of Satanism, give them a copy of the following books.

Satanism: The Seduction of America's Youth

The Screwtape Letters: With Screwtape Proposes a Toast

Lord Foulgrin's Letters

But read these with caution, they ARE EVIL.

[Religion Moderator]

Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.

[Shalmaneser]

I thought the article was an interesting take on the Rand phenomenon. I had no idea that Rand was above criticism here, nor did I imagine posting an article critical of her would lead to personal insults and so forth.

I have lurked this site recently, and my conservative friends have told me it is fun to post something here occasionally, so I thought I’d try it. I must say that so far, the fun seems a bit muted.

Since I have no desire to stir up rancor on this forum, I guess it’s back to lurking for me. Apologies to all for the controversy.

[buccaneer81]

This place just oozes friendliness.

We like it just fine. If you don't...take a hike.

[buccaneer81]

Give me a break. This guy has been on FR for two hours.

[harmonium]

“Don’t Satanists want to obliterate all moral judgments? “

I think that’s the Christian view of the Biblical concept, but it doesn’t really reflect in the junk LaVey compiled.

He believed in judgement and morals, in cases of revenge. An “eye for an eye” was big in his crowd. A lot of it was based around some survival of the fittest, Individualist thing.

[Billthedrill]

Rand didn't believe in Satan any more than she believed in God, i.e. not at all. But con men such as LaVey - he was a self-promoting hedonist, not a Satanist - appeared in abundance in Atlas Shrugged, and they were cast as villains. The author would benefit a great deal from actually reading the work he purports to criticize.

Common to the two is the erroneous proposition that man, and not God, is the ultimate authority behind morality, but there they depart. For LaVey the true character of man, freed from the strictures of a false religion, was that of swine; for Rand that true nature was that of angels that replaced the ones in whom she refused to believe. The first is contemptible, the second, pitiable, but they are not the same illusion. IMHO, of course.

[DannyTN]

Welcome to FR.

And I think it’s a great first post.

[Ransomed]

LaVey would have made a great Ming the Merciless.

Freegards

[rdcbn]

The early part of the 20th Century saw the rise of several materialistic philosophical outlooks.

Leninist/Stalinist Communism, Facism and Objectivism.

Objectivism at it's heart is atheistic economic Darwinism. It is a philosopical counterpoint to atheistic Communism

Under both Objectivism and Communism the strong oppress the weak

[buccaneer81]

Can we settle this once an for all? This is a campaign against conservatives:

Leftists Using Ayn Rand to Smear Republicans, Conservatives

Don't let the name "American Values Network" hoodwink you. This organization is run by a bunch of dhimmicratic leftists like Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Recently they put together a video that contains a small segment of Mike Wallace's interview with Ayn Rand. The segment showcases Ayn Rand's hatred for religion, God and Christianity. Then the video features a photo of Rush Limbaugh and quotes him as saying that Ayn Rand was "brilliant". Completely removed from the context of course. What the AVN makers of this video did was to feature a brief segment of Rand bashing God--and then--a photo of Rush Limbaugh quoted as saying "brilliant".

As if to imply that Limbaugh believes Ayn Rand to be brilliant because of her rejection of God.

If you can't win an argument with facts, then distort the facts. The method used most vigorously by the leftist/islamist alliance in America.

There is also a brief spot of Rand Paul likewise giving praise to Ayn Rand.

Just because Limbaugh, and other conservatives, may agree with some take of Ayn Rand on fiscal matters pertaining to free-market capitalism, that does not equate with an endorsement of her rejection of God and hatred for Christianity.

Unbelievably, that is exactly the smear this video wants to imply.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Please don't take any of the personal insults you receive on this thread seriously. The religious hatred with which these Ayn Rand disciples try to destroy anyone who criticizes their religion is matched only by the fervent zealotry of Islamic Fundamentalists and militant Atheists. These Randian cultists are never an ecumenical bunch, but this article clearly hit far too close to the mark. Enjoy the show as you watch their consternation as they try in vain to shriek "Heretic!!!" without being able to bring themselves to use the word!

[rdcbn]

The early part of the 20th Century saw the rise of several materialistic philosophical outlooks.

Leninist/Stalinist Communism, Facism and Objectivism.

Objectivism at it's heart is atheistic economic Darwinism. It is a philosopical counterpoint to atheistic Communism

Under both Objectivism and Communism the strong oppress the weak

[rdcbn]

The early part of the 20th Century saw the rise of several materialistic philosophical outlooks.

Leninist/Stalinist Communism, Facism and Objectivism.

Objectivism at it's heart is atheistic economic Darwinism. It is a philosopical counterpoint to atheistic Communism

Under both Objectivism and Communism the strong oppress the weak

[Shalmaneser]

Yes, he did look like that character!

[boatbums]

I wholeheartedly agree! Christians need to be shrewd thinkers about EVERYTHING. I do not know that much about Ayn Rand, maybe I read Atlas Shrugged in high school but I don't even want to admit how long ago that was. What I do know is that she is an atheist, so I agree, her thoughts and opinions should be considered in that light. Satan is, after all, an angel of light and deception is his stock and trade.

Thank you, Shalmaneser, for the post. Tell us what you personally think about Rand and your own faith. You posted an article that is thought-provoking so let us know what thoughts it provoked in you. Thanks.

P.S. Don't let the turkeys get you down. Some - no make that all - are all bark and no bite. ;o)

[Shalmaneser]

Thank you. I feel more welcome.

[Religion Moderator]

Are you claiming that FirstThings.com has anything to do with that video?