Critique of Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Religion

Dustin J. Byrd is assistant professor of humanities at Olivet College.

• 1. Ayn Rand and the Congressman2. “I want to be known as the Greatest Enemy of Religion3. The Left, Suffering Catholics, and American Religion 4. The Atheist and the Anti-Christ: Rand’s “Second-Handing” of Nietzsche5. Essence and Appearance in the Culture Wars6. Where Rand and the Crucified Agree: “You Cannot Serve Two Masters!” – Contra Conservativa7. Nervi belli pecunia infinita or “Endless Money is the Sinew of War”8. Racism: Separate by Non-Intervention, Equal by Nature9. Reason: Man’s Source for Understanding the World...Unless, like Religion, it’s Bad for Business10. Worship a Man! or “Why do Women Keep Complaining?”11. The Question of Fascism12. Pope Francis and Ayn Rand’s Idolatry of Money 13.Dum Inter Homines Sumus, Colamus Humanitatem or As Long as We’re all among Humans, Let us be Humane

Dustin J. Byrd's study of Ayn Rand's philosophy of religion represents a powerful critique of those who believe her atheistic philosophy can be reconciled with the prophetic Abrahamic religions. This book clearly demonstrates that one cannot simultaneously love and serve two masters, adhering to the ethical monotheism of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on one hand, and to Ayn Rand's "Objectivist" economic theory on the other. As Byrd points out, Ayn Rand believed rightly that no true follower of hers could ever be a Christian, as Christianity was for her the evil religion of altruism and she advocated the value of greed.