Objectivists have far too much in common with the Religious fundamentalists they claim are totally different. This is a quick comparison.
Ever since I started being more interested in the Atheist blogosphere, I’ve discovered the wonderful joys of Objectivist reason as well as the lunacy of christian Funamentalism. As it is, I can’t help but notice some uncanny similarities between those two which, for all kind of reasons should not exist.
I decided to just note them down and see:
- Exactly how similar these ideologies are
- If any of you have any more in mind.
So without further ado…
Christian Fundamentalism |
Ayn Rand Objectivism |
Average supporter seems to be a middle-upper class white (male) | Average supporter seems to be a middle-upper class white (male) |
Global Warming Denier | Global Warming Denier |
Absolute and unchallengeable trusts in their religion (dogmatism) | Absolute and unchallengeable trusts in their philosophy (dogmatism) |
Has a book centrepoint for the philosophy – The Holy Bible
Tends to read it a lot and with every such repetition, the belief in the dogma is reinforced. |
Has a book centrepoint for the philosophy – Atlas Shrugged
Tends to read it a lot and with every such repetition, the belief in the dogma is reinforced. |
Tends to think that the poor deserve to be poor because they must be sinners or lazy.
Holds the belief that a God would not allow a pious man to suffer in poverty. |
Tends to think that the poor deserve to be poor because they must be lazy.
Holds the belief that anyone who is determined enough will become successful no matter the circumstances. |
Claims objective morality | Claims objective morality |
Very quick to jump to argumentum ad hominem. A Common target is immorality | Very quick to jump to argumentum ad hominem. A Common target is irrationality |
Staunch Anti-socialist / Anti-communist. Pro Laissez-faire Capitalism.
Incidentally their prophet originated and promoted a form of commune. |
Staunch Anti-socialist / Anti-communist. Pro Laissez-faire Capitalism.
Incidentally their “prophet” originated from a communist regime. |
Against “Big Government”. Common target is Secularism. | Against “Big Government”. Common target is Taxation. |
Claims a “religion of peace” but tends to support more military spending and US wars. | Claims a philosophy of non-aggression. (No idea what their general views on US warfare is) |
Republican. | Probably Republican. In any case, Ayn Rand herself supported Republicans. |
“Holier than thou”. Claims moral high ground. |
Condescending. Claims intellectual high ground. |
Basks in groupthink (at least regarding their religion) | Basks in groupthink. (at least regarding their philosophy) |
These are obviously generalizations and thus not all fundamentalists or Objectivists will follow them. This is however my personal experience from espousers of these two ideologies.
Finally. this would not be complete by mentioning the major difference between these two.
Fundamentalists are religious while Objectivists are Atheists. There. 😛
Funny I read this right after I see the movie “JESUS WAS A TERRORIST”