What took them so long?
That would be Christians to figure out just how distasteful it should be for a Christian that Paul Ryan is a big Ayn Rand fan, especially of Atlas Shrugged. Of all modern thinkers I can't think of another who is more diametrically opposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and that includes Marx.
Seems at least one person has figured it out (from TPM):
Paul Ryan was chased by a protester waving a giant Bible and decrying libertarian author Ayn Rand on his way out of the Faith and Freedom Conference, a social conservative gathering in DC where he delivered a speech on his budget.
"Why did you choose to model your budget on the extreme ideology of Ayn Rand rather than the faith of economic justice in the Bible?" the blond, 20-something male asked.
But I am not 100% sure that was a real Christian or someone simply making a point.
but it is a good point. Atlas Shrugged is disgusting. From a Christian point of view.
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Labels: Christianity, politics, Republicans, twits
posted by Clemens @ 2:05 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Since Paul Ryan belongs to a Roman Catholic Church you may have to talk to Carmen about what they are teaching these days.
Surely you don't mean to imply that it is impossible to find gems of truth in the writings of an author, some of whose principles are diametrically opposed to mine. After all, I love Dostoevsky's novels, but his anti-Catholic polemics within the same novels are models of mean-spirited caricature. (His conflation of the Church's missionary work -- feeding the poor -- with socialism would be amusing, if he didn't mean it seriously.)
There are plenty of Christians who condemn Rand and outlooks like hers, while acknowledging that Ryan's budget is the most responsible proposal that has shown up. If the anti-Rand Christians in Congress think they can do a better job, maybe they should produce a budget, rather than cast stones and endorse living beyond one's means, all the while leaving an impossible debt to one's great-great-grandchildren.
PS: None of this is meant as an endorsement of Ryan's plan. I happen to think we need some sort of increase in revenue, and am even willing to sacrifice some of my deductions for it. At least Ryan proposed a budget that takes a serious shot at the deficit.
PPS: According to one outlet, the blond, 20-year old happens to be... Catholic.
PPPS: What on earth does it matter what color the man's hair is? What's wrong with the world?
I don't know: if it had been a women they probably would have told you she was blond and cute. But I thought it was odd too. We are not a serious people anymore.
And surely you are not suggesting that Dostoevsky and Rand are on the same plane? Other than being Russian I can't see anything they have in common. ) I personally find Rand's novels cartoonish expositions of a hateful philosophy. The remnants of a Christian upbringing I suppose. Personally, I simply find her repulsive. That and the fact that the most obnoxious guy in high school found her works brilliant and fascinating (back in the day).
But you have a point, except that in Rand's case finding the nuggets of true gold out of the dross is simply not cost effective.
Nor do I think Ryan's proposal is all that responsible, partly for precisely the point you raise. If we are not willing to reign in entitlements AND raise revenue somehow (say, the way Romney did in Mass.) it is not a serious proposal.
Perhaps it is simply the difference between 'responsible' and 'serious'.
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