Rational egoism states that acting in one's self-interest is the intelligent thing to do. Is this at odds with Jesus' statement: "The first shall be last and the last shall be first."?
No.
It is wise to first strengthen yourself, before you endeavor to help others. Actually, only when you have sufficiently strengthened yourself can you make a positive difference in other's lives. Would you go into battle without your weapons, just because you like a challenge? When you are weak, when you haven't taken care of your own business, you are a burden to others; a decidedly unchristian thing to be. Some Christians may think that because some very famous atheists espoused egoism (Ayn Rand, Nietzsche), that it is wrong thinking. Not so.
Jesus also said, "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but cannot perceive the board in your own?" In other words: Take care of yourself first. And, to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus was a first-class egoist: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." The assumption was that people loved themselves and Jesus uses that fact to make his point clear.
How can I help the poor, when I myself am poor? How can I strengthen the weak, when I myself lack strength?
That brings me to capitalism. Atheists love to quote the bible just as much as believers do, but the reciting usually takes the form of a psychological crowbar; an attempt to force the Christian to see things the leftist way. So you may hear this in an argument concerning the morality of America's capitalism (accompanied by a wry smile), "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." The liberal will wring his hands with glee; he knows he's got you now. Of course he's doing what god-haters have practiced for a millennium: Leaving out half the story. It continues like this:"And they (the apostles) were even more astonished and said to Him, 'Then who can be saved?' Jesus looked upon the disciples and said, 'With man it is impossible; but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
Indeed.
6 comments:
U luv satan.
Hey anonymous: Glad to see you're reading my mind-altering blog. I see you're using the usual tactic employed by leftists and the generally brain-dead all over the internet; hiding behind anonymity. Come on out, coward. I know my views are unpopular and I have the spine to stand up anyway.
Oh, and I assume you wanted your post read like this: U (You) luv (love) satan (Satan).
Keep on reading.
U stil luv satan baitch.
And you're still reading my blog.
Becauz u luvs satan.
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