I think there's a ton more support for Athesists on D.U. than non-supprt.

I appreciate the perspective - and, overall, I agree. One squeaky wheel is far more noticeable than a thousand that run smoothly.

I'm not sure I agree; Rand was just another self-absorbed writer who managed to parlay her personal fantasy into something more - being 'mysterious' and 'different' are always popular. I find it difficult to get too heated about her or her novels.

That said, the comment did seem designed to conflate Rand's negative image with atheism in general. Annoying.

... but because the intent is to offend.

As for Rand, I couldn't even get through The Fountainhead.

-- Mal

It's the same "reasoning" that lets liberal theists disavow any connection to Dubya--see, he was only pretending to be Christian in order to dupe people into voting for him. (And, yes, I've seen people making that claim right here on DU.)

A True Christian(TM) never would've bombed Iraq, dontchaknow.

That was my initial reaction. Usually a clue that I need to step away from the Internet for awhile!

pointing out that Christian fundies might not like the fact that the republican candidates are Randians, and that Ayn Rand was an atheist.

which was why my reaction had me a little nonplussed. I'm the first to admit I can knock myself out with my own kneecap. Thanks.

I wasn't offended by the atheism reference, but I used a naughty word. I still think it should have stood in this particular case.

far worse than, say, bigotry towards atheists

Oh, I'm not arguing that, but I used the word in a deliberate and measured way. I detest political correctness, and I suspect that had I used a cowardly evasion like "c-word" or an asterisked version, we would all have read the word the same way but it would have stood.

However, that's a discussion for another time and place, like Meta or something.

Right before he punched me in the face. I HATE that word. I don't like to be around people who use it. It literally gives me a headache when I see it. Oh, and he hit me because I wouldn't talk to him.

I'm never offended by the truth, especially when it contributes to fundegelical cognitive dissonance.

It is kind of hilarious when all these religious fanatics claim to worship Ayn Rand, as if they could have ever read anything she wrote and not discovered she despised them.

I can easily see how you could read it the other way, too.

But I do hate when people do the "connect the dots" thing with Ayn Rand and atheist just to make atheism look bad. Her atheism is not a flaw, it is everything else that she spewed.

Yeah, same here. I'm a white male atheist and a loner who is financially successful in the IT industry where I'm surrounded by Rayndians who seem to assume I must share their point of view. Possibly that's partly why I have such a visceral loathing and instinctive disdain for Ayn Rand and her "philosophy"

Or lack of beliefs when it comes to god. Everyone I work around knows I am liberal and that I am atheist. Maybe I am not so smart to let them know, since it is in a CPA office full of right wingers, but I just can't keep my mouth shut. Of course, I am the one they kick around when they are looking for a good fight----and I welcome it. It keeps me sharp.

it was mocking how RW Christians can at the same time adore an Atheist who hated Christianity.

but the chorus of "yup, he's gotta be an atheist" has now officially crossed the line.

It implies that right-wingers who want to dismantle the safety net MUST be atheists - because, obviously, no believer in god could ever support something so hurtful.

This is anti-atheist bigotry, plain and simple. What if someone said he must be Jewish because he doesn't want to spend money? That person's post would be hidden by a jury and their posting privileges rightfully revoked.

But it's A-OK to hate on atheists.

I've seen it before here on DU, but usually in the context of, "Well, Dubya may say he's a Christian, but he isn't really a Christian. He just said he was in order to get elected--besides, no True Christian™ would've invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11." I wish I could say I'm surprised, but in Ryan's case people claiming he isn't a True Catholic™ always seemed it would be a matter of when, not if.

I get that some religious people want to disavow some of the things Ryan's done and will do, but it's far beyond ridiculous at this point. I mean, Hitchens was an atheist, but in my opinion he was completely wrong about the Iraq war. I've enjoyed his writings about atheism and his willingness to stand up and fight eviscerate religious zealots, but just because I agreed with him about the things he said about religion doesn't mean I'm not willing to admit he was sometimes an asshole who was grievously wrong about the war in Iraq. It also doesn't make me say, "Well, none of the atheists I know supported the war and Hitchens did support it, therefore he's not really an atheist." (That his support never wavered or diminished after it became even more obvious that the war was based on lies is something that mystifies me to this day.)

Edited for clarity (yes, all three times)

When I read that last reply to me I got a distinct sense of being in the religion forum with the sort of bullshit I was being served. Decided I'm out. Glad to read your posts, you said it perfectly (again).

Rock on dear Trotsky.

Julie

Being told, directly, that it's fine to encourage hatred and mistrust of atheists if it helps Democrats win elections? Fuck, where the hell am I? And then there are DUers who have the nerve to say we're not discriminated against.

It's better than some of the people on DU who don't have the balls to answer questions that are plainly asked, regardless of how many times they're asked. I'm positive he's not the only one who's willing to throw atheists under the bus, either.

TBH, I'm surprised there haven't been more people admonishing liberal atheists to keep their non-belief to themselves lest it weaken Obama's reelection chances--then again, it's only August, so....

What adds to the sadness is that those who won't admit it, must realize that it is indeed bigotry, but are denying it to themselves.

..losing their g-d minds that they have a mormon, and a catholic on the ticket. Who gives the orders Salt Lake or the Vatican?

There is no single atheistic philosophy, so none of us atheists can say we actually prefectly align with Rand. But, generally speaking, we can say pretty clearly, that Paul Ryn in his 'worship' of Rand's perfect libertarian capitalism, aligns himself with a person he would on many other dimensions detest.