Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Richard Carrier

2017-01-20T15:24:46Z

ConxEngr: punctuation

[[File:Richard Carrier.jpg|thumbnail|165px|right|Richard Carrier]]
'''Richard Carrier''' (born 1969), M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. History, is an advocate of [[Naturalism (philosophy)|metaphysical naturalism]]. He has written a book, ''Sense and Goodness without [[God]]''. He is a prominent [[Atheism|atheist]] in the [[Atheist Population|atheist community]] in the [[US]].

Carrier advocates the notion that [[Jesus]] likely never existed which is an extreme minority position among historians and contrary to the historical evidence pointing to Jesus being a historical figure (The ''Great Soviet Encyclopedia'', a parcel of the [[propaganda]] of the atheistic, [[communism|communist]] [[Soviet Union]], is the only encyclopedia to ever advocate the Christ myth.
See also: [[Historicity of Jesus]]).<ref>[http://www.tektonics.org/uz/vector01.php A Response to "Why I Don't Buy the Resurrection Story"] by [[JP Holding]]</ref><ref>[http://www.tektonics.org/ezine/carrierindex.html The Incredible Sinking Carrier or, The Impossible Faith Vindicated] by JP Holding</ref><ref>[http://www.bede.org.uk/price1.htm Scholarly opinions on the Jesus Myth]
by Christopher Price</ref>

After Richard Carrier completed his PhD in ancient history at Columbia University in 2008, he decided against attempting to find an academic post. According to Carrier, "The US economy had just collapsed, and humanities departments had put a freeze on hires,” he explains. “I had also soured on the life of a professor by then, having seen it from the inside.”<ref>[https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/researchers-turn-to-crowdfunding-for-support-outside-universities Researchers turn to crowdfunding for support outside universities]</ref>

Carrier is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard.<ref>[http://www.richardcarrier.info/cv.pdf Richard C. Carrier, Curriculum Vitae]</ref>

== Richard Carrier, adultery, divorce and polyamory ==

''See also:'' [[Richard Carrier, adultery, divorce and polyamory]] and [[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships]]

The atheist Richard Carrier divorced his wife and now practices [[Polyamorous|polyamory]].<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6737 Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue]</ref> Before divorcing his wife, he was involved in adulterous affairs.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6737 Coming Out Poly + A Change of Life Venue]</ref>

The Christtian apologist Jason Engwar at the Christian blog Triablogue wrote:
{{cquote|Richard Carrier has [http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6737 a post up announcing that he's "polyamorous"], which he calls his "sexual orientation". He's been adulterous in his relationship with his wife, and they decided to get a divorce after having tried polyamory for a while. In the thread, he refers to how he has "sympathy for people who cheat on their spouses", how he's come across "many" polyamorists, and how he's become more convinced that "monogamy is the actual problem". So far, most of the responses at his blog are positive.<ref>[http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2015/02/atheism-adultery-polyamory-and-shifting.html Atheism, Adultery, Polyamory, And Shifting Morals]</ref>}}

See also:

*[[Atheism, polyamory and other immoral relationships]]

*[[Richard Carrier, adultery, divorce and polyamory]]

* [[Atheist marriages]]

* [[Atheism and marriage]]

=== Ricard Carrier, Amanda Metskas and polyamory ===

[[Camp Quest]] is the first residential summer camp in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway designed specifically for the children of [[Atheism|atheists]]/[[agnosticism|agnostics]]/[[secular humanism|secular humanists]] and others who hold a [[Philosophical naturalism|naturalistic worldview]].

Richard Carrier reported in 2016 that Amanda Metskas, the national Executive Director of Camp Quest, are dating and "she and her husband, August Brunsman, are publicly [[Polyamory|polyamorous]]."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/polyamory-and-camp-quest/# Polyamory and Camp Quest]</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/xK0h6#selection-5565.61-5589.301 Richard Carrier quote]</ref>

August Brunsman, her polyamorous husband, is the Executive Director of the [[Secular Student Alliance]]. Carrier was a speaker for the [[Secular Student Alliance]] when he was accused of sexual harassment.<ref>[http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/28009/ Popularizer of social-justice atheism can’t believe he’s accused of sexually harassing students]</ref><ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/polyamory-and-camp-quest/# Polyamory and Camp Quest]</ref>

== Richard Carrier on atheist events and sexual activity ==

Richard Carrier wrote in a blog post entitled ''Our Mythical Campaign against Sex'':
{{cquote|Polyamory and swinging and even the attending of orgies requires more ethical behavior and more careful attention to boundaries and consent than traditional sexual relationships do. And people who are ethical enough to be accepted in those communities are the very people who get [[Atheism plus|Atheism+]] and why it is needed.

The bottom line is, we are already enthusiastically in favor of people pursuing all kinds of sexual activities, even at [[Atheist conferences|atheist events]]. Many of our most avid supports are wholeheartedly doing this. The only thing we are concerned about is that people do this ethically, that people don’t use their sex drives as an excuse to harass, harm, or cross boundaries.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/4405 Our Mythical Campaign against Sex], Richard Carrier,</ref>}}

== Richard Carrier and the the Atheism plus movement ==

Richard Carrier at the launch of the [[Atheism plus]] movement wrote: "I am fully on board. I will provide any intellectual artillery they need to expand this cause and make it successful."<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/2207 The New Atheism +] by Richard Carrier</ref>

In October 2014, the popular [[YouTube]] atheist [[Thunderf00t]] commented on how [[Jen McCreight]], the founder of the atheist [[feminism|feminist]] movement [[Atheism plus]] abandoned her movement within two weeks. Thunderfoot also commented on how Richard Carrier "the intellectual artillery" of the movement, quit promoting the movement within a month.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqcLXNlEes Atheism+ Stream: How SJWs pushed their way into Atheism]</ref>

== Richard Carrier and Antony Flew's Conversion to theism/deism ==

[[Athanatos Christian Ministries]] wrote concerning the book ''A Defense of the Integrity of [[Antony Flew]]'s "There is a God" From His Own Letters'' by Anthony Horvath:
{{cquote|Famed atheist Antony Flew stunned the world with his repudiation of atheism in favor of deism about 2004 but the reasons for his change were unclear. Finally, in 2007, Flew released his book ''There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind'' in an attempt to set the record straight.” It was immediately challenged by hostile atheists on a number of grounds, not all of them very charitable. One of the challenges was put forth most prominently by [[PZ Myers]] and Richard Carrier: Flew had lost his mind; the arguments weren’t his at all, but rather were the product of manipulating Christian apologists.

There is just one teensy-weensy problem with this line of attack. In 2006, before it was even known to the world that Antony Flew would be releasing a book, a Christian apologist and author by the name of Anthony Horvath (Athanatos Christian Ministries) was in correspondence with Dr. Flew. Horvath wrote Flew specifically to ask him to commit his current positions and arguments to written form because even then there was much speculation. The answer was that the book was already in the works!

The correspondence was brief but turns out to be decisive against those claiming that “There is a God” did not reflect Flew’s actual positions. In this e-book, Horvath releases copies of the original letters along with his lengthy rebuttal to Richard Carrier’s assertions. To date, though Carrier has been made aware of that rebuttal, no answer has been received. And no wonder: these letters settle the matter once and for all.

For those interested in the best evidence and primary sources in coming to their conclusions, these letters by Flew will be instrumental.<ref>[http://athanatosministries.org/store/products/a-defense-of-the-integrity-of-antony-flews-there-is-a-god-from-his-own-letters ''A Defense of the Integrity of Antony Flew's "There is a God" From His Own Letters''] by Anthony Horvath, Publisher: Athanatos Christian Ministries, September 3, 2011</ref>}}

== Richard Carrier on Scotch and drinking heavily ==

{{See also|Richard Carrier on Scotch and drinking heavily}}

In a blog post devoted to his favorite Scotch, Richard Carrier writes:
{{cquote|I often philosophize about the excellence of Scotch…

Indeed, the taste and feel of good liquor is the only reason to drink it. Getting tipsy or blasted drunk is just a bonus...

Anytime you spend the night drinking heavily, chug a tall glass of water before going to bed. Literally, chug the whole thing. Tall glass. Top to bottom...

Be excellent to each other. And party on. Smartly.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140924035048/http:/freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/4192 My Favorite Scotch] by Richard Carrier</ref>}}

From his website from the page “Booking Dr. Carrier”, Carrier wrote:
{{cquote|You will have to board me for those extra nights, and I charge only $50 for each additional debate or speaking engagement, but informal events are free (e.g. dinner parties, meet-and-greets, etc.). Just feed me copious amounts of alcohol.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140731014516/http:/www.richardcarrier.info/speaking.html Booking Dr. Carrier]</ref>}}

In a blog post about a trip to Portland Carrier writes:
{{cquote|Then Saturday (February 28) I will be speaking on “Historical Method and What Makes for a Good Historian” (and saying a lot about Bayesian reasoning!) for the PDX Skeptics in the Pub at the Lucky Lab Pub on Killingsworth (1700 North Killingsworth, Portland) at 7pm. (Much drinking will ensue.)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150220082223/http:/freethoughtblogs.com/carrier/archives/6767#more-6767 Appearing All Over Portland Next Week!]</ref>}}

== Education ==

Carrier has a B.A. in History, with a minor in Classical Civilization, from the University of California at Berkeley (1997), an M.A. in Ancient History from Columbia University (1998), an M.Phil. in Ancient History, from Columbia University (2000), and a Ph.D. in Ancient History from Columbia University (2008).<ref>[http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/bio.html http://www.infidels.org, ''Brief Biography of Richard Carrier'']</ref>

== External links ==

*[http://www.tektonics.org/uz/vector01.html Richard Carrier's "Why I Don't Buy the Resurrection Story" -- A Refutation] by [[JP Holding]]
*[http://www.answeringinfidels.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=76 Review of Carrier's book Good 'n' Senseless Without God]
*[http://www.michaelnugent.com/2015/04/17/richard-carriers-latest-smears/ Richard Carrier’s latest smears are poorly researched, insulting to women activists, and defamatory] by [[Michael Nugent]]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WykQiAwVgxg&feature=plcp Richard Carrier vs. William Lane Craig debate, ''Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?'' 2009] - Part one
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfq_u2apBQM&feature=plcp Richard Carrier vs. William Lane Craig debate, ''Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?'' 2009] - Part two

Richard Carrier and polyamory:

*[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/polyamory-gone-wild/ Polyamory Gone Wild]
*[https://deeperwaters.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/along-came-poly/ Along Came Poly], Christian apologist Nick Peters on Richard Carrier's adulterous affairs, adultery and polyamory

*[http://www.examiner.com/article/atheist-richard-carrier-is-a-polyamorous-dog Atheist Richard Carrier is a polyamorous dog] by [[Ken Ammi]]

*[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-portrait-in-atheism.html A portrait in petty atheism]

*[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-decline-and-fall-of-richard-carrier.html The Decline and Fall of Richard Carrier]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carrier, Richard}}

[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Atheists]]

Unattractiveness of atheism

2016-11-29T23:27:11Z

ConxEngr: Parenthesis

[[File:Birkbeck College Street View.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|[[Eric Kaufmann]], a professor at [[Birkbeck College, University of London]], using a wealth of demographic studies, argues that there will be a significant decline of [[global atheism]] in the 21st century which will impact the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]</ref><ref>[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]</ref><ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>]]
The American Christian Todd Strandberg said of [[atheism]]: "The ranks of atheists have always [[Atheist Population|been small]]... The key problem with atheism is that it lacks a strong 'selling point'".<ref>[http://www.raptureready.com/rr-atheism.html Atheism: The cult of death]</ref> (See also: [[Atheism and apathy]])

Throughout mankind's history, most people have found atheism to be uninteresting and ungratifying (See: [[Atheism and inspiration]]).

Christians maintain that the benefits of Christianity totally outweigh the benefits of atheism.<ref name="youtube.com">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWbFtplpY48 And the benefits of atheism are what again?]</ref> For example, Bible believing Christians point out that the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] is [[Atheism and depression|more depressed]] (See also: [[Hopelessness of atheism]] and [[Atheism and meaninglessness]]).<ref name="youtube.com"/>

Furthermore, while atheism [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism|lacks]] any proof and evidence that it is true, Christianity offers a wealth of evidence confirming its veracity (see: [[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]]).

In addition, the significant amount of unpleasant personalities within the [[Atheist Population|atheist population]] and the resulting amount of atheist infighting has made atheist community unattractive to many people who are looking for a sense of community and/or a common cause (see: [[Atheist factions]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social skills]]).<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100230985/how-atheists-became-the-most-colossally-smug-and-annoying-people-on-the-planet/ Brendan O'Neill, ''The Telegraph, How atheists became the most colossally smug and annoying people on the planet'', August 14th, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/01/22/is-atheism-a-religion/atheism-cannot-replace-religion Atheism cannot replace religion]</ref> Also, besides having a poor sense of community within atheism, atheists give less to others outside their community than religious groups (see: [[Atheism and charity|Atheism and uncharitableness]]).

The imbalance between men and women involved in the atheist community (men are significantly [[Atheism and women|more likely]] to be atheists) and the impoliteness of many atheist men towards atheist women is also unattractive to many individuals (see: [[Atheism and women]] and [[Elevatorgate]] and [[Atheism and rape]]).

Another unappealing aspect of atheism is its bloody history which has surpassed all other worldviews in terms of loss of life (see: [[Atheism and mass murder]]).

Furthermore, the ultimate destination for unrepentant atheists is [[Hell]] (See: [[Atheism and Hell]]).

{{See also|Atheism and social outcasts}}

== Statistics on atheism reflect its unattractiveness as a worldview ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism statistics]]

The article [[Atheism statistics]] provides a large collection of statistics which help further demonstrate the unattractiveness of atheism as a worldview.

== World interest in atheism has declined since 2000 ==

See also: [[Desecularization]] and [[Growth of global desecularization]] and [[Global atheism|Decline of global atheism]]
[[File:Earth seen from space.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Scholars of religious demographics frequently use the term the "global resurgence of religion" to describe the process of [[desecularization|global desecularization]] which began in the late portion of the 20th century.<ref>[http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2005/november-december/the-return-of-religion The return of religion]</ref> See: [[Desecularization]] ]]
Currently, [[global atheism]] is shrinking and demographic research indicates that the shrinking of global atheism will continue and affect Western atheism (see: [[Decline of atheism]] and [[Growth of global desecularization]]).<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann, Belfer Center, Harvard University/Birkbeck College, University of London]
*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/2011/05/eric-kaufmann-shall-religious-inherit.html Eric Kaufmann: Shall The Religious Inherit The Earth?]*[http://kitmantv.blogspot.com/search/label/atheist%20demographics Eric Kaufmann's Atheist Demographic series]
*[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Eric Kaufmann: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, Australian Broadcasting Corporation]</ref>

Global atheism has been on the decline since 2000.<ref>[http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/03/global-data-upend-usual-picture-of-christianity-trends.aspx Global data upend usual picture of Christianity trends]</ref>

The British academic Eric Kaufmann told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."<ref>[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth Shall the religious inherit the earth]</ref>

The 2004 to 2007 publicity campaign for atheism in the [[Western World]], offering a [[Militant atheism|militant form of atheism]] (called the [[New Atheism]]) was not sustainable.<ref name="questionevolution.blogspot.com">[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-2004-to-2007-publicity-campaign-for.html The 2004 to 2007 publicity campaign for atheism was not sustainable. Level of public interest is not coming back]</ref> The level of public interest in atheism is not coming back in the West and global atheism shrinking will make subsequent publicity attempts more likely to be unsuccessful.<ref name="questionevolution.blogspot.com"/>

== Atheism and loneliness ==
[[File:Depressed man.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Secular societies commonly have significant levels of loneliness. See: [[Atheism and loneliness]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and loneliness]]

Loneliness has been linked to many physical and mental health problems.<ref>Multiple references:
*Gammon, Katherine (March 2, 2012). [http://www.livescience.com/18800-loneliness-health-problems.html "Why loneliness can be deadly"]. Live Science website.
*Booth, Robert (October 12, 2014). "Number of severely lonely men over 50 set to rise to 1m in 15 years", ''The Guardian''.</ref>

Compared to deeply religious cultures where an extended family and a sense of community often exists, secular countries [[Secular countries and loneliness|are often lonelier societies]]. In addition, numerous studies and other data indicate that atheists often have lower [[emotional intelligence]] and lower social skills (see: [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]] and [[Atheism and interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social skills]]).

For more information, please see:

*[[Atheism and loneliness]]

*[[Secular Europe and loneliness]]

*[[Godless Australia and loneliness|Australia and loneliness]]

*[[Atheistic Japan and loneliness]]

*[[Atheistic China and loneliness]]

== Atheism and alcoholism ==
[[File:Europe pol 2004.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in Europe, "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.<ref name=whoalc>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/alcohol-use/data-and-statistics "Data and statistics"] (September 2014 or bef.). Health topics/Disease prevention/Alcohol use. World Health Organization (WHO)/Regional office for Europe</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and alcoholism]]

Atheists and atheistic cultures often have significant problems with excess alcohol usage (For more information please see: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).

=== Secular countries/regions and alcoholism ===

'''Secular Europe:'''

According to the [[World Health Organization]]'s (WHO) regional office in Europe, "The WHO European Region has the highest proportion in the world of total ill health and premature death due to alcohol.<ref name=whoalc/>
<br />
*[[Secular Europe and alcoholism]]

'''Australia:'''

An Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) report indicated that 20% of Australians drink at levels putting them at risk of lifetime harm.<ref>Mower, Jane (November 19, 2013). [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-20/alcohol-to-blame-for-one-in-eight-deaths---report/5102594 "One in eight deaths of young Australians attributable to alcohol: National Council on Drugs report"]. Australian Broadcasting Company website/News.</ref>

For more information, please see: [[Godless Australia and alcoholism]]

'''Asian countries:'''

See: [[Godless Asian countries and alcoholism]]

'''Godless communism and alcoholism:'''

*[[Soviet Union and alcoholism]]

*[[Communist East Germany and alcoholism]]

== Atheism and illegal drug use and drug addition ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and drug addiction]]

Studies indicate that religious individuals are less likely to engage in illegal drug use than atheists/nonreligious.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/believers-consume-fewer-drugs-than-atheists-106266/ Believers Consume Fewer Drugs Than Atheists], ''Christian Post'', By Jim Denison, Christian Post Columnist, October 9, 2013|9:47 am</ref><ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131003093041.htm Believers consume fewer drugs than atheists], Science Daily, Date:October 3, 2013, Source: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Foerderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung</ref><ref>Multiple references:
*McCullough, Michael E. and Willoughby, Brian L. B. (January 2009). [http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/mmccullough/Papers/Relig_self_control_bulletin.pdf "Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: associations, explanations, and implications"] ''Psychological Bulletin'', vol. 135, no. 1, pp. 69-93. Retrieved from University of Miami department of psychology website on September 10, 2014.
*Alternate source of abstract: [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19210054 "Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: associations, explanations, and implications" [abstract]]. Retrieved from PubMed.gov on September 10, 2014.</ref>

== Atheism and its lack of holidays ==

The Jewish comedian [[Henny Youngman]] joked about atheism, "I once wanted to become an atheist but I gave up . . . they have no holidays."<ref>Youngman, Henny (1980 or bef.). [http://books.google.com/books?id=GZcjAQAAMAAJ&q=%22become+an+atheist+but+I+gave+up%22&dq=%22become+an+atheist+but+I+gave+up%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WHppVZT7I4W2oQT-nYKoAw&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBw Earliest attestation]. Retrieved from GoogleBooks.</ref> See also: [[Atheism Quotes|Atheism quotes]]

=== Atheism and Christmas ===

''See also:'' [[Atheism and Christmas]]

In December 2003, the University of Warwick reported:
{{cquote|Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of [[Christmas]] are on the whole likely to be happier.<ref>http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html</ref>}}

== See also ==

*[[Atheism has a lower retention rate compared to other worldviews]]

*[[Atheism, agnosticism and pessimism]]

*[[Atheism and health]]

*[[Moral failures of the atheist population]]

*[[Atheism and deception]]

*[[Christianity and social stability]]

* [[Resources for leaving atheism and becoming a Christian]]

* [[Christian joy, atheist despair and the good news of Christianity]]

'''Humor:'''

*[[Essay: The benefits of atheism|Benefits of atheism]] - comedy/satire

*[[Essay:Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution|Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Sociology]]

Ayn Rand

2016-11-29T23:14:15Z

ConxEngr: /* Philosophy */ proper en-dash

[[Image:Jhyu65.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Ayn Rand. A philosopher and writer who developed the [[Objectivism|Objectivist]] school of thought]]
'''Ayn Rand''' (1905-1982) was a libertarian author. She was a [[fiscal conservative]] advocating free unregulated [[capitalism]], who opposed [[collectivism]], [[socialism]], [[communism]] and [[fascism]]. However, on social issues, she was liberal. Ayn Rand was a big supporter of unlimited [[abortion]]-on-demand,<ref>Ayn Rand wrote that "An embryo ''has no rights''. ... A child cannot acquire any rights until it is born." http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_FAQ#obj_nr_vs_ar (emphasis in original)</ref> and an [[atheism|atheist]]. She began her career in Hollywood, and has been described as a promoter of a philosophy known as [[Objectivism]]. Her best-known novels are ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'' and ''[[The Fountainhead]]''. Ayn Rand asserted that selfishness was a virtue and [[altruism]] was wrongheaded (see also: [[Atheism and uncharitableness]]). She wrote a book entitled ''The Virtue of Selfishness''.

Ayn Rand's novels often had political messages, such as laissez faire capitalism with minimum government intervention (known by the name Minarchism) in business. Ayn Rand strongly objected to socialism and nationalism. Combined, more than twelve million copies of her two best-known novels have been sold in the U.S. alone. Despite her anti-[[Christian]] and liberal views on social issues, her opposition to state economic intervention has made her works and philosophy popular with the [[TEA Party]] movement.<ref>''Ayn Rand stars at Denver stimulus ‘tea party’ protest'', Colorado Independent, Wendy Norris - 2/28/09 - [http://coloradoindependent.com/23026/ayn-rand-stars-at-denver-stimulus-tea-party-protest]</ref>

Her first name "Ayn" rhymes with "mine", and she was born in Russia as '''Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum.'''

==Philosophy==
{{Main|Objectivism}}

Ayn Rand attracted a following based on her opposition to [[collectivism]], as articulated in her novels, particularly ''Atlas Shrugged''. Her followers today tend to be [[libertarians]] and predominantly unmarried men, many of whom are drawn to a self-indulgent lifestyle consistent with Rand's philosophy. Rand often called herself a "radical for capitalism," by which she meant the pure, ''laissez-faire'' variety. Rand had very little in common with [[conservatives]] except for a mutual opposition to communism and socialism. Rand has also been accused of being a rape apologist for her rape scene in ''The Fountainhead''.

[[Conservative]] [[Whittaker Chambers]] was a harsh critic of the caricatures in Ayn Rand's work, and how she implied that evil systems would collapse on their own without the need for good men to do anything. [[Edmund Burke]] famously stated, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing," but one might conclude from Rand's work that being selfish and doing nothing is what good people should do, and then evil will fail all by itself. Whittaker Chambers observed in a book review he wrote for ''National Review'' in 1957, "Happily, in ''Atlas Shrugged'' ('''''though not in life'''''), all the children of Darkness are utterly incompetent" (emphasis added).

Rand's most famous and powerful follower was [[Alan Greenspan]] (b. 1926), long-time head of the Federal Researve System (1987–2006), though it is difficult to see manifestations of Rand's ideas in Greenspan's work.

Rand was a moral absolutist with the virtues of rationality and hard-work as central themes to her writing. However, conservatives reject Rand’s elevation of reason over faith, sentiment, and tradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlassociety.org/myth-ayn-rand-was-conservative|title=Myth: Ayn Rand was a Conservative|author=William R. Thomas}}</ref> Social conservatives in particular reject Rand’s view that sexual fulfillment is an important part of life and not merely limited to procreation. Her views are seen as hedonistic, selfish, and sinful—she accepts the usage of birth control and abortion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5105|title=Abortion:An Absolute Right|publisher=The Ayn Rand Center}}</ref> as proper means to an active sexual life without the consequences of child-rearing. In general Rand’s view of the perfection of human character is at odds with the Christian view of man’s essential sinfulness.

Rand's philosophy was anti-Christian to the point of even declaring that "faith, as such, is extremely detrimental to human life: it is the negation of reason."<ref>http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_topic_religion%</ref> While Rand advocates absolutes in the realm of ethics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/absolutes.html
|title=Absolutes|author=Ayn Rand}}</ref> her ethical principles are at odds with traditional Christianity.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/religion.html|title=Religion|author=Ayn Rand}}</ref> Her followers support an "absolute right" to [[abortion]] at any time during pregnancy,<ref>http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5105</ref> including partial-birth abortion. Ayn Rand's philosophy and followers also support a "right" to have same-sex marriage, and opposed California's [[Proposition 8]] defining marriage as between one man and woman.<ref>http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=21821</ref>

Rand was an [[atheism|atheist]] and opponent of traditional family values, who personally adhered more to [[Hollywood Values]] than conservative ones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noblesoul.com/orc/bio/biofaq.html|author=Richard Lawrence|title=Ayn Rand FAQ}}</ref> She was a strident opponent of altruism. As far back as 1957, [[Whittaker Chambers]] denounced the “wickedness” of ''Atlas Shrugged'' in ''National Review,'' and Dr. Gabe Vertin derided her "senseless self-aggrandizement."

Rand's selfish philosophy can pull young men away from the [[Bible]] and a coherent conservative viewpoint. While she deferred to the [[Austrian School of Economics]], it was an example of being right for the wrong reason of selfishness. She did praise honest productive work, earning one’s keep, engaging in honorable trade, stern moral dealings, self-reliance, and, in general, being a productive member of society, but she disagreed with what [[Alexander Hamilton]] and [[George Washington]] observed is an indispensable basis of political prosperity: religion.

In metaphysics and epistemology, Rand argued for a reality-based outlook as opposed to the subjectivism of progressive post-modern academia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlassociety.org/tni/postmodern-assault-reason|title=The Postmodern Assault on Reason|author=Roger Donway|publication=The New Individualist}}</ref>

Rand can appeal to those conservatives who emphasize the Greco-Roman tradition of Western Civilization, especially Aristotle, while she disappoints those who give greater emphasis to the Judeo-Christian influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6164|title=The Greatness of Western Civilization|author=Edwin A. Locke|publisher=Ayn Rand Center}}</ref> She continues to attract converts, especially the young, to right-leaning Republican politics—including notable figures with more traditional outlooks.

==Similarities to George Orwell==
Similar to [[George Orwell]], Rand had first-hand knowledge of living under a [[communist]]/[[socialist]] [[dictatorship]]. They both used their knowledge to paint vivid pictures of the specific ways in which these political philosophies break down. Orwell's focus was on control of the mind through the use of secret police forces and through the reworking of the language itself, Orwell's ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'' was about the horror of a functioning dictatorship; Rand focused on the corruption and vice that inevitably follows from a political philosophy that rewards failure, rand also pinpointed the specific maneuverings that liberals use to avoid justice and justify their might makes right attitudes.

In Atlas Shrugged Rand put a great deal of emphasis on the use of informal procedures as a way to rob victims of any tools they might be able to use in their defense, production tribunals in the book met and had an informal discussion, so that the producers that they were strangling could not call any kind of precedent or procedure to rescue them from the abuse of power. In the crumbling socialist world of Atlas Shrugged the only defense was to agree with those in power. Orwell envisioned (and had seen) the same problem, a world in which the market place of ideas was as strangled as the marketplace of goods and services, only done in private and hellish jail cells.

Both of these authors had some very liberal characteristics, Orwell being a socialist himself and Ayn being an atheist and egoist but in spite of their liberal traits they couldn't help but look at the world that liberals created and decry how wicked it was. Author [[Christopher Hitchens]], writing about Orwell, called this a "power of facing", where in Orwell was able to face the issues on his own side, a very important characteristic shared by many great academics and philosophers in the Christian tradition.wa

==Quotes==
"We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: The stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission – which is the stage of the darkest periods of [[human]] history, the stage of rule by brute force."<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45735 WorldNetDaily.com Should Democratic Party merge with Communist Party?, August 12, 2005</ref>

"The most profoundly revolutionary achievement of the United States of America was the subordination of society to moral law. The principle of man’s individual rights represented the extension of morality into the social system—as a limitation on the power of the state, as man’s protection against the brute force of the collective, as the subordination of might to right. The United States was the first moral society in history."<ref>{{cite book|title=The Virtue of Selfishness: |author=Ayn Rand|chapter=Man's Rights|page=93}}</ref>

"Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of collectivism."<ref>{{cite book|title=The Virtue of Selfishness: |author=Ayn Rand|chapter=Racism|page=126}}</ref>

==Works==
*''[[We the Living]]''
*''[[Anthem (book)|Anthem]]''
*''[[The Fountainhead]]''
*''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''
*''[[Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal]]''
*''[[The Romantic Manifesto]]''
*''[[The New Left: The Anti-Industrial Revolution]]''
*''[[The Virtue of Selfishness]]''

== See also ==
* [[Atlas Shrugged]] by Ayn Rand
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
* [[We]] by Yevgeny Zamyatin
* [[Nineteen Eight-Four]] by [[George Orwell]]
* [[Mystery:Did George Orwell Become a Conservative?]]
* [[Animal Farm]] - [[Anti-Communist|anti-Stalinist]] "fairy story" by [[George Orwell]]
* [[Brave New World]] by [[Aldous Huxley]]
*[[Atheism and women]]

==References==
* Burns, Jennifer. ''Goddess of the Market: Ayn Rand and the American Right'' (2009), standard scholarly history, by a conservative historian. [http://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Market-Rand-American-Right/dp/0195324870/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256927458&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
*Doherthy, Brian. ''Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern Libertarian Movement.'' (2007), popular history.
* Gladstein, Mimi Reisel. ''The Ayn Rand Companion'' (1984) 130 pp. good starting point
* Heller, Ann C. ''Ayn Rand and the World She Made'' (2009)
* Kirsch, Adam. "Ayn Rand’s Revenge" [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/books/review/Kirsch-t.html?nl=books&emc=booksupdateema1 ''New York Times Sunday Book review'' Nov. 1, 2009]
* Uyl, Douglas J. Den, and Douglas B. Rasmussen, eds. ''The Philosophic Thought of Ayn Rand'' (1984) 235 pp.; dense essays by professional philosophers

====References====
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer Ayn Rand Institute]
*[http://www.ARIwatch.com ARI Watch] — argues that the above misrepresents Ayn Rand.
*[http://www.ios.org/ The Atlas Society — home of The Objectivist Center]
*[http://wiki.objectivismonline.net/wiki/Main_Page Objectivism Wiki]

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