writerstone

Interesting. Still reading. I come from the Jewish faith, not Christianity, so I suppose that, if I do take the plunge into all reason and non-faith, it won't be too much of a leap. Judaism is more pragmatic than Christianity. Indeed, Rand was born Jewish.

One of the things faith is supposed to teach us is about being humble. Meaning, I am not the end-all, be-all in the universe. I take it humility is not a virtue in Objectivism. In fact, being humble seems to be a "sin" in Objectivist thought. Correct? So, as a rational being, am I the end-all, be-all? Isn't that arrogance? Is arrogance good in Objectivism? Or are we all #1?

Wow, all, thanks much for the feedback! I will read and ponder.

I was raised as a Republican, to believe in God, and that Capitalism was good, to work hard was good, and to produce and enjoy wealth was good. In college, I read a lot of anti-God philosophy and became an agnostic. Then, some years later, as my addiction to alcohol got out of control, I joined a 12-step program, accepted and surrendered to a "Higher Power", which I call God, and life ever since has been much better. Since then, I have read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and loved the books. I agree with 99% of their principles and philosophy. It's the God issue that stumps me. How can someone like me, who has depended on a, as Rand puts it, a mystical belief, live a fulfilling life as an Objectivist? How can I just toss God out the window all of a sudden and make that transition? Is it necessary? Am I a bad person just because I believe in a mystical being? I am an active Capitalist, a producer who believes that God gave me my brain to use for myself for my own good, and that I don't owe anybody anything. Thanks for any feedback.