Ayn Rand and why is she pertinent to Satanism?

[Mr. Tatterscratch]

Ayn Rand is a popular novelist, screenwriter and philosopher who created the philosophy of Objectivism. This philosophy was based on that one should pursue that which brings pleasure to oneself.

Rand’s own definition was: "a philosophy for living on earth", grounded in reality, and aimed at defining man's nature and the nature of the world in which he lives.

Rand also believed that all knowledge was based on perception.
Her beliefs were given flesh in the famed novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.

Rand was an Atheist, and rejected faith as antithetical to reason. She also denied mysticism and the occult.

With that said; why is Ayn Rand pertinent to Satanism?

LaVey used the philosophies of Rand to help shape his Church of Satan. Like Rand, LaVey believed in “radical individualism”. As modern Satanism, via the original Church of Satan, was being shaped, the words of Rand spoke to LaVey as something practical and useful in his new organization:

Rand is quoted as saying, “morality of life required the pursuit of gratification and fulfillment in oneself; not self-abnegation and acquiescing in the role of a sacrificial casualty.”

In yet another novel by Rand, Anthem, she explores a futuristic society in which the individual is sacrificed for the good of the many. The word “I” is removed from vocabulary.

LaVey also envisioned a world such as this. He deemed this mentality “herd mentality”. No one dare to be an individual, no one dare to rebel, no one dare to differ from another. As the Church of Satan developed though out the years, LaVey spoke out concerning solipsism. He stated that Satanists should never assume everyone is on the same level as they. He recognized the uber man and woman, and there is indeed a slave society that must be utilized.

Rand was condemned in her time period for this exact train of thought. But she had the foresight to understand that a Utopian world could never exist. To attempt such a world would create chaos and eventually lead to the destruction of civilized society.

I highly recommend reading the works of Ayn Rand to anyone who desires to grow as a Satanist. Though she might be very surprised to be a crucial part in the structure of an occult organization, I think she might be pleased to see our embracing her philosophies of individualism and separatism.

[Bibimfupi]

I really enjoyed "Anthem". I read it quite a while ago and lately have been wanting to read it again now that I am older with different views than I was back then. I was in high school when I read it. Will probably look into the others too. I'm agnostic so maybe that's why I like her so much.

[Starbeast]

Originally Posted by Mr. Tatterscratch

Ayn Rand is a popular novelist, screenwriter and philosopher who created the philosophy of Objectivism. This philosophy was based on that one should pursue that which brings pleasure to oneself.

Rand’s own definition was: "a philosophy for living on earth", grounded in reality, and aimed at defining man's nature and the nature of the world in which he lives.

Rand also believed that all knowledge was based on perception.
Her beliefs were given flesh in the famed novels, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.

Rand was an Atheist, and rejected faith as antithetical to reason. She also denied mysticism and the occult.

With that said; why is Ayn Rand pertinent to Satanism?

LaVey used the philosophies of Rand to help shape his Church of Satan. Like Rand, LaVey believed in “radical individualism”. As modern Satanism, via the original Church of Satan, was being shaped, the words of Rand spoke to LaVey as something practical and useful in his new organization:

Rand is quoted as saying, “morality of life required the pursuit of gratification and fulfillment in oneself; not self-abnegation and acquiescing in the role of a sacrificial casualty.”

In yet another novel by Rand, Anthem, she explores a futuristic society in which the individual is sacrificed for the good of the many. The word “I” is removed from vocabulary.

LaVey also envisioned a world such as this. He deemed this mentality “herd mentality”. No one dare to be an individual, no one dare to rebel, no one dare to differ from another. As the Church of Satan developed though out the years, LaVey spoke out concerning solipsism. He stated that Satanists should never assume everyone is on the same level as they. He recognized the uber man and woman, and there is indeed a slave society that must be utilized.

Rand was condemned in her time period for this exact train of thought. But she had the foresight to understand that a Utopian world could never exist. To attempt such a world would create chaos and eventually lead to the destruction of civilized society.

I highly recommend reading the works of Ayn Rand to anyone who desires to grow as a Satanist. Though she might be very surprised to be a crucial part in the structure of an occult organization, I think she might be pleased to see our embracing her philosophies of individualism and separatism.

So you mean LaVeyan Satanism is a metal, dark, occult psychodrama version (*cough*ripoff*cough*) of Objectivism? I like LaVey as much as anyone, but what I like about him is the metal, occult parts that he tacked on. Also, he was Crowley to Rand's Mathers, you could say. Only problem with that is the goth-sheep that swarmed into Satanism after LaVey made the I-dea popular

[Pandora]

Oh Mr Tatterscratch, Rand fills up my bookshelf (Anthem manages to simultaneously warn me and make me angry at Ayn for perpetuating such a... viewpoint) and I am no Satanist; so I don't feel so bad for having completely missed this parallel!

Fab, though. Where do you get the idea that LaVey drew inspiration from Rand? It's been ages since I read (and giggled over) anything that bloke wrote and I have to say, yeah the idea makes a lot of sense. I'm just wondering on your source(s). Because I like to dig.

Rand writes dangerously and beautifully.

[Starbeast]

Originally Posted by Pandora

Oh Mr Tatterscratch, Rand fills up my bookshelf (Anthem manages to simultaneously warn me and make me angry at Ayn for perpetuating such a... viewpoint) and I am no Satanist; so I don't feel so bad for having completely missed this parallel!

Fab, though. Where do you get the idea that LaVey drew inspiration from Rand? It's been ages since I read (and giggled over) anything that bloke wrote and I have to say, yeah the idea makes a lot of sense. I'm just wondering on your source(s). Because I like to dig.

Rand writes dangerously and beautifully.

A couple of places..well, lots of sites critical of LaVey, honestly. Not even critical critical, just questioning his ideas and drawing comparisons between some part of her writing and the Nine Satanic Statements. Look at the Satanic Bible: Underground Edition

[Mr. Tatterscratch]

Originally Posted by Pandora

Oh Mr Tatterscratch, Rand fills up my bookshelf (Anthem manages to simultaneously warn me and make me angry at Ayn for perpetuating such a... viewpoint) and I am no Satanist; so I don't feel so bad for having completely missed this parallel!

Fab, though. Where do you get the idea that LaVey drew inspiration from Rand? It's been ages since I read (and giggled over) anything that bloke wrote and I have to say, yeah the idea makes a lot of sense. I'm just wondering on your source(s). Because I like to dig.

Rand writes dangerously and beautifully.

There is a compilation of Rand's quotes and views on everything from religion to economics: The Ayn Rand Lexicon
http://aynrandlexicon.com/

[Pandora]

Thanks Mr Tatterscratch!

[Antivangelist]

Hyatt - "Rand's morality is simple - You do not initiate violence and, you do not steal other peoples property. Simple as that . . . nothing to do with what we, "normal" people call morality . . ."

Interviewer - "Almost, "Book of the Law".

Hyatt - "Well, "The Book of the Law" is a bunch of bullshit. Rand is a real thinker. Rand wouldn't even recognize Crowley, nor would she recognize any one who practices Magic. She wouldn't like me. She doesn't have to like me. i like her. That's all that's important. And, I've learned a-lot from her."

- Christopher Hyatt - Techniques for Undoing Yourself - CD 1, Track 14

If you put, "The Book of the Law" against John Galt's speech, of course it looks like bullshit. But it's not philosophy - it's poetry.

[Starbeast]

Originally Posted by Antivangelist

Hyatt - "Rand's morality is simple - You do not initiate violence and, you do not steal other peoples property. Simple as that . . . nothing to do with what we, "normal" people call morality . . ."

Interviewer - "Almost, "Book of the Law".

Hyatt - "Well, "The Book of the Law" is a bunch of bullshit. Rand is a real thinker. Rand wouldn't even recognize Crowley, nor would she recognize any one who practices Magic. She wouldn't like me. She doesn't have to like me. i like her. That's all that's important. And, I've learned a-lot from her."

- Christopher Hyatt - Techniques for Undoing Yourself - CD 1, Track 14

If you put, "The Book of the Law" against John Galt's speech, of course it looks like bullshit. But it's not philosophy - it's poetry.

It's both. Any mage who calls Liber AL a bunch of bullshit has a lot of learning to do, imo. But I'm not sure how this applies to the topic...except to remind me to follow up on my circle and point obsession and read Liber AL today

37

[Gattamelata]

Maybe I miss something - but I've always considered Rand's practice of 'objectivism' to be more of a bourgeoisie cult than a philosophy.