I have no problem with Pope Francis promoting social freedom goals (most of which I agree with), as long as he stays away from economic theory. The idea of a pope supporting the freedom of women and homosexuals is...well, amusing. The problem is that he is endorsing the socialist endowment agenda and anti-capitalistic propaganda is where his view of the world breaks down.

He thinks that the road to prosperity is the redistribution of wealth from the evil people who have made themselves successful by their inspiration and hard work. He does not understand that pulling these people down will have us all living in Old East Germany before long.

Jan

Jan

Women politicians shall not be shamed? Tell that to Palin!

Perhaps you meant, "Lying liberal politicians who are actually socialists". Some of them happen to be women.

Jan

And: if you you want to know what an Objectivist believes, you do not ask a Christian. You ask an Objectivist or read their works.

Uh, I've seriously studied both and there are worlds of difference. I can list them in great detail. They don't share either epistemiology or metaphysics because they are based on two diametrically opposed belief systems: Christianity is based on a universal law approach while Socialism is based on a relative law approach: ie theism vs atheism. Anyone claiming that the two are equivalent has never done a thorough and honest comparison.

Your original argument was that Progressivism was morally and ethically equivalent to Christianity. This is prima facie false as I have demonstrated in both means and content. If you want to make the argument that neither adhered to Rand's ideals, that is quite another argument altogether and a far cry from the original argument you posted.

In the original Beatitudes, the points laid out were ones of direct philosophy. The modified versions being inserted by the author on behalf of Progressives exist for the point of drawing contrast. But one does not claim equivalency and contrast at the same time and maintain logical consistency. Thus my comment. If the point of the piece was satire or to ridicule both, some comment by the author to that effect should have been included.

In Ayn Rand's book, For The New Intellectual, read the first article for an explanation of who Attila and the Witch Doctor are and how they relate to the "mystics of spirit" and the "mystics of muscle." Religionists are the spiritual mystics and progressives are largely, but not exclusively, mystics of muscle.

How are the philosophies the same? Or even similar? Progressives want to create a ruling class with special privileges. Christians specifically espouse everyone as being equal in privilege and beholden to the same rules. Progressives support abortion because they do not believe in the sanctity of life. Christians eschew abortion and value children. Progressives support massive government welfare programs and encourage the behaviors which expand such a state. Christians favor voluntary and independent private entities to deal with social problems and aggressively teach values to eliminate the problems in the first place. Progressives push for the disintegration of the family. Christians are one of the few groups pointing out it's necessity and positive benefits to society. Progressives see themselves as making the rules. Christians view God as the ultimate authority. It's not just politically. Christians are diametrically opposed to the Progressive philosophy and its core.

If you want to point out specific philosophical tracts which you believe the two share, please do. If you want to refer to other texts voicing opinions of others' philosophies, I'd point out that it's far more beneficial to use authoritative sources rather than pontification by third parties. If I want to know what a Christian believes, I don't go ask an atheist. If I want to know what an Objectivist believes, I don't go ask a Hindu.

You are looking at them politically based upon terms largely defined by the progressive left; I'm looking at their same, basic, underlying philosophy. Read up on Attila and the Witch Doctor.

Thanks!

Uh, I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but Christians overwhelmingly vote for conservative values and Republican candidates - just do a red/blue map of the states. It's why certain candidates like Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee pander for the Christian vote.

You don't see Progressives going after the Christian vote. Progressives vote for progressive values and Democratic candidates. Remember Obama's famous "clinging to guns and religion" statement? And do reporters badger Democratic candidates about their religions like they do Republicans? No. Both Trump and Carson have been hounded about it, yet not a word for Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

happy birthday my friend :)

ok. I get this

Blessed are the women politicians for they shall not be shamed.
Blessed are the liars for they shall create a new reality.
Blessed are the moochers for they shall keep the creators chained.
Blessed be the minorities even if they are the majority for the shall keep all others in guilt.
I could go on and on -- but, WTF.

Hear hear. Anyone who seriously studies the philosophy of Christianity and Socialism, know they share the same ethics and similar epistemology and metaphysics. The Socialists claim a scientific basis in epistemology and metaphysics, however the reality is that their ideas are based on Kant, Hegel, etc who explicitly reject reason. This is why Hitler (a socialist) could say 'Oh that's Jewish logic".

The link is philosophical. Scratch a progressive and scratch a Christian: you'll find pretty much the same thing underneath.

Love. Two versions of dogma seeking power.

Progressives overwhelmingly reject religion - especially Christianity. Why the article attempts to link Biblical proclamations with the Progressive movement confuses me as well.

A more accurate statement was put forth in the final episode of the first "Black Adder" series, by the evil Friar Bellows:

"Blessed are the meek - for they shall be slaughtered!"

Meekness never got anyone anywhere. This is a world dominated by aggression and the willingness to use force. We forget that at our peril.

"The kingdom of Rawls"

Dr. Kelley, that, sir, is a knee-slapper.
Seriously.

David's just poking a little fun by drawing a comparison between the biblical Beatitudes ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatitu... ) to the reality of today (e.g. The bible says "the meek shall inherit the earth." Uhm... yeah... it appears they're off to a great start in the west.).

I don't get it. sorry