Religious Leaders Slam Republican "Ayn Rand" Budget

Matthew 25 (0.00 / 0)

How many preachers have the moral courage to make his/her sermon topic Matthew 25:31-46? That passage summarizes what Jim Wallis has stated in every message, article and book he has written: we will be judged by how we treat the least among us. That is the heart of both Protestant and Catholic theology as given to us by Christ. It is also the guiding spirit of tikkun olam, "to repair the world," which guides Jews as they seek to be what Isaiah said, a light to the nations in their ethical behavior. It is also the third pillar of Islam, zagat, or compulsory charity toward others that Allah requires of all financially stable Muslims.

I don't know exactly what religious text Paul Ryan can quote that says, "The least among us deserve their lot. Let them suffer, especially if they are taking resources that could be given to the us worthy ones." I dare him to find one.

 

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by: Elaine in Roanoke @ Sat Jun 04, 2011 at 22:21:30 PM UTC

Also, I dare him to find one (0.00 / 0)

regarding when a fetus is viable, whether life begins at conception - or in the 2nd trimester or whatever. Again, good luck.

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by: lowkell @ Sat Jun 04, 2011 at 23:01:00 PM UTC

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Try the religion of Ayn Rand (0.00 / 0)

From what I have read, paul ryan is such an ayn rand nut that her philosphy could be considered a religion to him.

Man-every man-is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life

http://www.aynrand.org/site/Pa...

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by: normanva @ Sun Jun 05, 2011 at 02:00:47 AM UTC

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What is a religion? (0.00 / 0)

I would also argue that the wonderful Free Market Theory is a secular religion, and it shares many points with Ayn Rand's so-called "objectivism." Both seek to be an over-arching politico-social philosophy that should (in their view) animate every political, social, and economic decision, and can be summed up in Gekko's famous "Greed is good" cry. All is short-term profit, all is what gives the most pelf to the strong individual. That is the basis for society. What a nasty, brutish world the Republicans intend to create for our children.

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by: Teddy Goodson @ Mon Jun 06, 2011 at 00:50:16 AM UTC

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What is a religion? (0.00 / 0)

Good question.  There appear to be several definitions.  Based on this definition, Free Market Theory could easily be called a secular religion.

a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

http://www.merriam-webster.com...

I would argue that Free Market Theory is actually an extention of Ayn Rand's theory carried to its logical conclusion.

Capitalism is a system based on the recognition of individual rights...in which the only function of the government is to protect individual rights, i.e., to protect men from those who initiate the use of physical force." ...It [Objectivism] also rejects the current "mixed economy" notion that the government should regulate the economy and redistribute wealth.

Basically you are on your own, Good Luck!

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by: normanva @ Mon Jun 06, 2011 at 01:09:59 AM UTC

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