corboy,
I think you hit the nail on the head with language being key. By redefining every word, they can seemingly make certain concepts less offensive to their adherents than they would be to the general population.
I have a somewhat different take on Ayn Rand. She certainly lacked empathy but, from what I remember reading, she was a rugged individualist. LE is full of group think, which she would have abhorred.
I did not agree with everything she wrote, (it's been 30 years since I read it), but as I recall, she wanted people to think for themselves, as opposed to LE, which seems to want just the opposite.
It is unfortunate that cults have sprung up in almost every type of religion and spiritual path. I have tended toward the metaphysical since I was 12 years old, and know many metaphysical types. The majority keep it to themselves, and don't try to convince other people of anything, let alone try to recruit. This would go against the general philosophy of most. These are not the ones who make the news, (most Muslims never make the news, either).
I think you hit the nail on the head with language being key. By redefining every word, they can seemingly make certain concepts less offensive to their adherents than they would be to the general population.
I have a somewhat different take on Ayn Rand. She certainly lacked empathy but, from what I remember reading, she was a rugged individualist. LE is full of group think, which she would have abhorred.
I did not agree with everything she wrote, (it's been 30 years since I read it), but as I recall, she wanted people to think for themselves, as opposed to LE, which seems to want just the opposite.
It is unfortunate that cults have sprung up in almost every type of religion and spiritual path. I have tended toward the metaphysical since I was 12 years old, and know many metaphysical types. The majority keep it to themselves, and don't try to convince other people of anything, let alone try to recruit. This would go against the general philosophy of most. These are not the ones who make the news, (most Muslims never make the news, either).
