Here is a trailer for a documentary on Ayn Rand’s great novel “Atlas Shrugged”.
First released in 1957, I read the book in 1975. As a 17 year old recovering socialist, raised on “free” milk, family “benefits”,” “free” health care and education and an unlimited faith in the Kiwi welfare state, it was pretty hard to take. It challenged my worldview like nothing I had ever read before. Still does.
The tale of a strike of the productive and able against a growing American socialist state, “Atlas Shrugged” is now more timely than ever.
I’ve seen the book being read on the Chicago Red Line and in Wisconsin libraries, it’s selling like never before.
If you haven’t read it yet – do yourself a favor.
I'm a little over 200 pages into the book and I noticed the hopelessness of the characters in the story. I am a Christian and those that are believers can have hope in Christ, but so many in the world are like these characters. They are without hope, without a reason for truly living.
What I am getting at is that as a Christian, this book has made me look at myself and see that "Yes, I have Christ and He is my only hope." I can share my personal salvation experience with others so that they, too may see that they can have hope in Christ, as well.
We can't look to the government or to anyone politically. They don't have the answers. God and His Word have the answers.
So anyway, that's what I've been thinking about as I read this story.
Hi Ed and rlawson. While I promote Ayn Rand's work, I do have a big problem with her militant atheism.
While Rand's Objectivist followers hold that atheism is a central tenet of her work, I think it is a big weakness.
Ayn Rand was a prophetic and insightful writer who has a big message for the world of today. I think her work can be read in that spirit, by Christians, atheists and agnostics alike.
I read this book about a year and a half ago. It was awesome. My only complaint is that Rand lumps "the mystics" or people with some sort of religious faith in with the non producers.
That is a mistake on her part and a severe mistake at that. While there may be some, especially this latest batch of "Social Justice/Collective Salvation" religionists, most religions are the inspiration for what is good about society.
In the US it has been predominately Christianity that has created an environment where the free market could flourish and prosper.
Our founding fathers also recognized the importance of religion and even went so far to say that our Constitution was written for a religious and moral people and that it was inadequate for anyone else.
Salvation in Christian terms is based solely on the freedom of the individual. It cannot be obtained through coercion or by force. There is no such doctrine taught by Christ that we are saved "collectively".
With the individual's liberty being at the core of Christianity I wonder why Rand could never see that. Perhaps she was looking at the dark ages where religion was imposed by the state. We don't and have never had that problem in America.
Regardless the book is prophetic and mirrors much of what is happening today.
Happy Thanksgiving
I forgot to back my story by documenting my sources, so to the atheist book it's by S.E.CUPP it's called "losing our religion".
LINK.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLosing-Our-Religion-Liberal-Christianity%2Fdp%2F1439173168&ei=rzXtTKHLC4TGsAOKsJ2qBw&usg=AFQjCNFFJj2yvF1KiM–x3GfFg_k3UR57Q
A correct observation is still correct,true is true. That's where Ayn is vindicated.Remember this is Satan's kingdom,this world.What she understood very clearly remains regardless of her final destination.One of the best Books recently released in defense of Christians rights in America is by an athiest who understands that you can't pick and choose who gets rights.
I am disappointed that you are promoting this book on your site. Miss Rand was hostile to Faith in God and based her worldview on radical individualism. Although she was correct about the dangers of collectivism, her anti-Christian and Atheistic philosophy of life undermined her credibility. The source of our liberties is God. Without spiritual freedom there can be no personal or political liberty. The State will take the place of God in our lives without a society and culture based on the religion of Jesus Christ.
I just started reading this book last week and you've been posting these links about the movie and this documentary. I'm hooked on it all!