As most lovers of free-market economics know by now, “Atlas Shrugged,” the movie is coming out this week.  Just two years ago, I wrote this piece on Rand’s philosophy, called Objectivism.

To sum up:  I believe, after reading “Atlas Shrugged” and recently re-reading “The Fountainhead,” that Ayn Rand celebrates selfishness, although her heroes become literary Christ symbols.  So Rand seems to recognize that self-sacrifice is a good thing, but then rails against it at the same time.  Personally, I find this aspect of her philosophy pretty confused.

The gospel teaches us that voluntarily giving to others is the highest possible achievement.  Rand sees giving to others as taking away from yourself and creating a society of parasites.  I couldn’t disagree more.

However, having said that, Rand’s celebration of free-market economics and the wonders of humans who better the world through their hard work is spot-on.   Her reminders that the state has no right to your personal property are important and especially timely (charitable giving should be voluntary, not forced).  The world she creates in “Atlas Shrugged” is in many ways the modern world, where legions of covetous people look at ways of taking from others without producing anything of value themselves.

So, I will be watching “Atlas Shrugged” soon after it comes out, even though Rand’s celebration of selfishness is not compatible with the Gospel, in my humble opinion.

This is a guest post by Camila B, a teenager who is an avid movie watcher.  Please keep all comments civil and polite.

By Camila B.

 I have been thinking about something all day that has gnawed at me quite persistently.   The subject is movies, movies throughout the decades and the negative changes that I have noticed.   Now the difference of me writing about this compared to, let’s say, a middle-aged woman, is that a ‘teenager’ is supposed to be quite biased towards the cool new things that movies explore.  I understand the charm of the unknown, but when I search deeper I’ve realized that the corruption viewed daily by millions of people is disgusting.

 Now I don’t mean to imply that all modern movies are bad and are corrupting our youth. I have seen plenty of movies throughout the years with their share of explicit content and I don’t see myself as necessarily corrupt. I understand that all people should have the choice to see anything they want, in fact, I lean towards freedom of choice in every sense of the word.  It doesn’t cause me any anger to have these movies out there because I have the choice of not seeing them and everyone else should be able to choose otherwise.  What does bother me, and what i feel should be taken in to serious consideration, is the glorification these movies receive. Our society has changed in many ways, things have become much less taboo to the extent where sex is something we see on national television. Most swear words are now used without any form of censorship.  I understand that we must ‘evolve’ and be ‘broad minded’. I have no problem being exposed to the world in a correct and mindful way because living in a fantasy isn’t going to help teenagers realize the dangers out there with sex, drugs, and alcohol, but the moment we start glorifying such actions at such a young age is when things become a problem.  Teenagers lean towards rebellion and look up to idols that portray that message; but at the same time media is not the only factor that affects a teenager, and definitely not enough to make them drug addicts and sex fiends. There are too many factors to name. My rant has to do more with the glorification of terrible movies.

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This is the third in a series of posts that examines the topic of Mormon spirituality, or how we respond to the Divine in personal living. Readers can find the first here and the second here. The purpose of the series is to explain why Mormons are the way they are and how it has to do with religion and doctrine. It was inspired by critics who seem to misunderstand or question the inner spirituality of Mormons as materialists or shallow.

When people think of Mormons, among the perceptions are a group of people who are mindlessly obedient to whatever they are told. Critics of a particular Evangelical Christian perspective believe that Mormonism teaches that we save ourselves. They often reject any idea that Jesus Christ is the center of all the Latter-day Saints do in their lives. Some of what they say is valid without understanding the contexts of those teachings. It can often seem that the Savior takes a limited role in the lives of Latter-day Saints where the emphasis is on obedience, Priesthood, tithing, Temple work, and families. Since the word “Grace” is not a word that has permeated the religious lexicon of Mormonism, it is assumed that it has little value. There becomes a war about “faith” or “works” saving the soul. Sadly, some Mormons are drawn into that argument needlessly. They don’t realize that Grace makes possible the individual salvation in those teachings.

Over the years the concept of Grace has become more prominent in church lessons than in the past. However, it has always been there as a package that Mormons call The Gospel. It is only one part of the whole that is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To concentrate on that one word is to lose greater blessings possible to those with Faith. The life of a Latte-day Saint is, if done in the right religious spirit, the activation of Grace for the believer. Obedience to the Commandments and teachings of Apostles and Prophets is not and should not be about faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but faith in the saving power of Christ.

Brigham Young had this belief in mind when he stated:

The moment the atonement of the Savior is done away, that moment, at one sweep, the hopes of salvation entertained by the Christian world are destroyed, the foundation of their faith is taken away, and there is nothing left for them to stand upon. When it is gone all the revelations God ever gave to the Jewish nation, to the Gentiles, and to us are rendered valueless, and all hope is taken from us at one sweep. (Young, Brigham. Discourses of Brigham Young. Selected by John A. Widtsoe. 1941. Pg. 27. Emphasis mine.)

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I have not been able to sleep well since the sexual assault a few days ago by the TSA, which is detailed below. I have had some very disturbing dreams and have found myself getting extremely depressed. I have felt completely powerless and ashamed.

I’m the kind of person who generally tells himself and others, “get over it, buck up, get your life together.” And I know I will be able to do this. I also try to avoid drama. Life is about choices — live with your choice and move on is my general philosophy. But I have learned a few things that have increased my empathy and given me some peace. Read on.

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All, after being sexually assaulted at the Denver Airport, I am joining the campaign to try to get the TSA to change its policies. At this point, if you travel by airline, you have two choices: 1)Be put in a cancer box or 2)Be sexually assaulted.

If you would like to contact me on this post, please e-mail me at geoff@millennialstar.org. I would prefer not to have comments. Thanks.

Below is the letter I wrote to the TSA. It will be sent to many public officials and news outlets.

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