The Rand Inquisitor

Amy Sullivan wonders about the Republican embrace of the anti-Christian Ayn Rand.  Now, I don’t think that Republicans should be taking political advice from Sullivan, but one has to wonder how anyone can square his or her faith with Rand’s almost Nietzschean libertarianism.

This is not to say that, in my view, a Christian must embrace ‘big government.”  Far from it.  I think that there are multiple paths from various plausible versions of Christianity to limited government.  Consider, for example, this and this .  (I hasten to add that I’m not necessarily endorsing either of these views.)

To be politically successful, the Republican Party must offer the proverbial big tent.  There should be no litmus test for admission.  Well, I take that back: I don’t see how a party that purports to be faith-friendly can accommodate those who are actively hostile to Christianity.  I have no evidence that the folks Sullivan cites are hostile, but there is substantial evidence that Rand herself was.  Once again, I ask: how can one embrace both a Randian worldview or moral anthropology and a Christian worldview or moral anthropology?

Discuss.