John Galt v. Religion
Who is John Galt?
“For 12 years you have been asking: “Who is John Galt?” This is John Galt speaking. I am the man who loves his life. I am the man who does not sacrifice his love or his values…. You have heard it said that this is an age of moral crisis…. You have cried that man's sins are destroying the world and you have cursed human nature for its unwillingness to practice the virtues you demanded.” - John Galt
If you’ve never read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, I highly recommend it. It was suggested to me by a gentleman friend who actually knew her—and I’m glad I listened.
Published in 1957, it’s a classic novel that dives deep into politics, economics, and the philosophical concept of Objectivism. Galt is the voice of that philosophy. After intentionally collapsing the civilized world (literally), he delivers an unforgettable monologue on the moral righteousness of individualism, the virtue of rational self-interest, and the destructive nature of collectivism. He also shares a few wise words about religion.
Now, I’m not here to say I don’t believe in compassion, charity, or loving your neighbor. I’ve always believed in “doing good”, but his monologue made me think.
In this letter, I will share portions of his monologue and an interesting ChatGPT response to the question: “What would John Galt say about Christianity?” (Although I specifically targeted Christianity, most of it applies to most religions.)
Again, these aren't my words, but the words of the author and her character. I just found them interesting and relevant to the topic of these letters and wanted to share.
The Speech
“For 12 years you have been asking: “Who is John Galt?” This is John Galt speaking. I am the man who loves his life. I am the man who does not sacrifice his love or his values…. You have heard it said that this is an age of moral crisis…. You have cried that man's sins are destroying the world and you have cursed human nature for its unwillingness to practice the virtues you demanded.
Since virtue, to you, consists of sacrifice, you have demanded more sacrifices at every successive disaster.
You have sacrificed justice to mercy. You have sacrificed independence to unity. You have sacrificed reason to faith. You have sacrificed wealth to need. You have sacrificed self-esteem to self-denial. You have sacrificed happiness to duty.
You have destroyed all that which you held to be evil and achieved all that which you held to be good. Why, then, do you shrink in horror from the sight of the world around you? That world is not the product of your sins; it is the product and the image of your virtues. It is your moral ideal brought into reality in its full and final perfection.
Yes, this is an age of moral crisis. Yes, you are bearing punishment for your evil. But it is not.. human nature that will take the blame. It is your moral code… Your moral code has reached its climax, the blind alley at the end of its course. And if you wish to go on living, what you now need is not to return to morality—you who have never known any—but to discover it.
You have heard no concepts of morality but the mystical or the social. You have been taught that morality is a code of behavior imposed on you by whim, the whim of a supernatural power or the whim of society, to serve God's purpose or your neighbor's welfare, to please an authority beyond the grave or else next door—but not to serve your life or pleasure.
For centuries, the battle of morality was fought between those who claimed that your life belongs to God and those who claimed that it belongs to your neighbors— between those who preached that the good is self-sacrifice for the sake of ghosts in heaven and those who preached that the good is self-sacrifice for the sake of incompetents on earth.
And no one came to say that your life belongs to you and that the good is to live it.
Both sides agreed that morality demands the surrender of your self-interest and of your mind, that the moral and the practical are opposites, that morality is not the province of reason, but the province of faith and force.
…It was man's mind that all their schemes and systems were intended to despoil and destroy. Now choose to perish or to learn that the anti-mind is the anti-life.
Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not. His body is given to him, its sustenance is not. His mind is given to him, its content is not. To remain alive, he must act, and before he can act he must know the nature and purpose of his action. He cannot obtain his food without a knowledge of food and of the way to obtain it. He cannot dig a ditch—or build a cyclotron—without a knowledge of his aim and of the means to achieve it.
To remain alive, he must think.”
(You can watch the full monologue here, but SPOILER ALERT don't watch if you plan to read the book!! Otherwise, it is one of the most powerful speeches you will ever hear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN6JV2GXyvg )
John Galt v. Christianity According to ChatGPT
John Galt and Ayn Rand’s philosophy fundamentally clashes with Christianity on issues of altruism, faith, and sacrifice. Galt would critique Christianity as promoting self-denial, irrationality, and dependence, while his philosophy emphasizes rational self-interest, independence, and the pursuit of individual happiness.
1. Altruism vs. Rational Self-Interest
Christian Doctrine: Christianity emphasizes altruism, as seen in Matthew 22:39: “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Galt’s Critique: Galt rejects altruism as immoral, arguing that self-sacrifice undermines the rational pursuit of one’s happiness. He would claim that morality based on self-sacrifice leads to exploitation and denies the value of individual life.
Galt’s Principle: Man’s first duty is to himself, to achieve his own happiness and fulfill his own potential.
(Again, don't shoot the messenger, these aren't my words, but if you read the book, you will see that it doesn't throw out the idea of doing good and loving others, and taking care of others entirely. It just means man's FIRST duty is to himself... And that can include the desire to do some thing for someone else.)
2. Faith vs. Reason
Christian Doctrine: Faith is central to Christianity, as stated in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Galt’s Critique: Faith is an abdication of reason, the only tool humans have for understanding reality and making moral decisions. Galt would argue that morality must be grounded in observable facts, not supernatural beliefs.
Galt’s Principle: Reason, not faith, is man’s means of survival.
3. Original Sin vs. Innate Potential
Christian Doctrine: Christianity teaches that all humans are born with original sin (e.g., Romans 5:12: “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people”).
Galt’s Critique: The concept of original sin is a moral injustice that devalues human potential and innate goodness. He would argue that labeling humans as fundamentally flawed denies their capacity for greatness and reason.
Galt’s Principle: Man is not born sinful; he is born with the potential to think, create, and achieve.
4. Eternal Reward vs. Earthly Fulfillment
Christian Doctrine: Christianity often focuses on eternal rewards in heaven, as seen in Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up treasures in heaven.”
Galt’s Critique: Focusing on an afterlife detracts from the importance of living fully in the present. Galt would argue that earthly life is the only certainty and should be lived to its fullest potential.
Galt’s Principle: The purpose of life is to achieve happiness and fulfillment here and now, not in an unproven afterlife.
5. Humility vs. Pride
Christian Doctrine: Christianity values humility, as in Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”
Galt’s Critique: Humility is a denial of one’s worth and achievements. Galt would argue that pride in one’s rational accomplishments is the moral foundation of human life.
Galt’s Principle: Pride in one’s achievements is the recognition of one’s rational mind and its power.
6. Dependence on God vs. Self-Reliance
Christian Doctrine: Christianity teaches dependence on God, as in Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Galt’s Critique: Dependence on an external deity undermines self-reliance and human agency. Galt would view this as a rejection of the individual’s capacity to shape their destiny.
Galt’s Principle: Man must trust his own reason and effort to achieve his goals.
7. Sacrifice as Virtue vs. Rational Ethics
Christian Doctrine: Sacrifice is seen as a moral ideal, exemplified by Jesus’ crucifixion for humanity’s sins (John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son”).
Galt’s Critique: Sacrifice is destructive when it demands giving up values rather than achieving them. Galt would argue that morality based on sacrifice glorifies suffering and destroys human potential.
Galt’s Principle: Rational ethics demand that one act in one’s self-interest, preserving one’s values and happiness.
8. Collective Salvation vs. Individual Sovereignty
Christian Doctrine: Christianity emphasizes the collective nature of salvation through the church (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:12-14: “For just as the body is one and has many members... so it is with Christ”; We also see this in doctrines related to family, baptism for the dead marriage, missionary work, etc.).
Galt’s Critique: The idea of collective salvation denies the sovereignty of the individual. Galt would reject any system that subsumes the individual into a collective moral framework.
Galt’s Principle: Each man is an end in himself, not a means to the ends of others.
9. Universal Love vs. Earned Respect
Christian Doctrine: Christianity teaches unconditional love, as in Luke 6:27: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Galt’s Critique: Loving enemies or those who do not deserve it undermines justice and self-respect. Galt would argue that respect and affection must be earned, not given unconditionally.
Galt’s Principle: Love and respect must be based on the recognition of values, not indiscriminate generosity.
10. Suffering as Redemptive vs. Joy as Purpose
Christian Doctrine: Christianity often sees suffering as a path to spiritual growth or redemption, as in Romans 5:3-4: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”
Galt’s Critique: Suffering has no intrinsic value. Galt would argue that morality should guide individuals to avoid unnecessary suffering and pursue rational happiness.
Galt’s Principle: The goal of life is to achieve joy, not to glorify suffering.
A few more points:
Although Rand was a declared atheist, I do believe that these principles are still compatible with a belief in God. I personally believe in a supreme creator and that these principles are in line with that belief.
Just an interesting note… It's also said that religion is the best promoter of Marxism, in that they preach the same principles. You work through that one on your own.
In the next letter, I will dive deeper into the moral dilemma of "doing good” as well as how to establish a moral code for yourself.
Sincerely With Love,
Heather
