One cannot simultaneously proclaim Ayn Rand and Christ. It is impossible. This from one of her letters: There is a great, basic contradiction in the teachings of Jesus. Jesus was one of the first great teachers to proclaim the basic principle of individualism -- the inviolate sanctity of mans soul, and the salvation of ones soul as ones first concern and highest goal; this means -- ones ego and the integrity of ones ego. But when it came to the next question, a code of ethics to observe for the salvation of ones soul -- (this means: what must one do in actual practice in order to save ones soul?) -- Jesus (or perhaps His interpreters) gave men a code of altruism, that is, a code which told them that in order to save ones soul, one must love or help or live for others. This means, the subordination of ones soul (or ego) to the wishes, desires or needs of others, which means the subordination of ones soul to the souls of others. This is a contradiction that cannot be resolved. This is why men have never succeeded in applying Christianity in practice, while they have preached it in theory for two thousand years. The reason of their failure was not mens natural depravity or hypocrisy, which is the superficial (and vicious) explanation usually given. The reason is that a contradiction cannot be made to work. That is why the history of Christianity has been a continuous civil war -- both literally (between sects and nations), and spiritually (within each mans soul).
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 21:48:59 +0000
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