Reading secular books for knowledge

[JackVk]

I’ve been wanting to read some secular works in order to expand my horizons. In some aspects, I feel it would be a way to familiarize myself with the world so I can better share the faith. I want to read Brave New World and Animal Farm. My uber-neocon dad is a big fan of Atlas Shrugged. I feel interested, but I know Ayn Rand is very cynical and materialistic. What do you think on that one? Also, do you have any suggestions?

 

[kmuestwin]

Read what you want those books won’t hurt you.

 

[another_seeker]

Secular fiction is not the deveil, despite what some ultra Trads around here might say. Take everything with a Catholic grain of salt, but enjoy

 

[JackVk]

Secular fiction is not the deveil, despite what some ultra Trads around here might say. Take everything with a Catholic grain of salt, but enjoy

Atlas Shrugged, again, is the one I’m afraid of. Donald DeMarco and Benjamin Wiker labeled Rand one of the “architects of the culture of death” because of her philosophy of objectivism.

 

[Rich_C]

I would be the last to tell you to read whatever you want, but I think for a critical mind Ayn Rand’s works are okay. I’ve been told that she basically reconstructed the Church’s teaching of natural law from within an atheistic framework, so it may provide some good apologetic material. Be critical, of course.

 

[another_seeker]

Atlas Shrugged, again, is the one I’m afraid of. Donald DeMarco and Benjamin Wiker labeled Rand one of the “architects of the culture of death” because of her philosophy of objectivism.

Do you feel as though you will be compelled to believe something in those books that contradicts your faith? Or do you merely wish to be aware of what others believe? If you ask me, it’s a GOOD thing to know the arguments and beliefs of the world, so as to be better prepped against them

 

[Baelor]

Atlas Shrugged, again, is the one I’m afraid of. Donald DeMarco and Benjamin Wiker labeled Rand one of the “architects of the culture of death” because of her philosophy of objectivism.

Books are words on a page. There is nothing of which to be afraid inherently in the text. The danger comes in the effects of those words.

If reading these books would not put you in the near occasion of sin, go ahead.

If you think that reading them will cause you to lose faith, I would suggest examining your faith because it clearly is not very strong.

 

[JackVk]

If you think that reading them will cause you to lose faith, I would suggest examining your faith because it clearly is not very strong.

In that aspect, I guess. I’ve always considered it very strong. But I’ve been led to paranoia, thinking that anti-Christian thinkers are irrefutable. I’m not easily influenced by other ideas, so I thank you for pointing that out to me.

 

[Baelor]

In that aspect, I guess. I’ve always considered it very strong. But I’ve been led to paranoia, thinking that anti-Christian thinkers are irrefutable. I’m not easily influenced by other ideas, so I thank you for pointing that out to me.

I would talk to your priest about this mindset. I am glad to hear that you are strong in your faith, but this outlook seems unhealthy and perhaps confining.