Ilyn Ross
Goodreads Author
Website
Genre
Member Since
July 2008
URL
https://www.goodreads.com/ilyn_ross
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Reason Reigns
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published
2008
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Royal Serf
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published
2009
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* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.
Topics Mentioning This Author
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Glens Falls (NY) ...: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand | 17 | 130 | Feb 01, 2009 09:08AM |

“4. Religion. Your reason is now mature enough to examine this object. In the first place, divest yourself of all bias in favor of novelty & singularity of opinion... shake off all the fears & servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. You will naturally examine first, the religion of your own country. Read the Bible, then as you would read Livy or Tacitus. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature, you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy and Tacitus. The testimony of the writer weighs in their favor, in one scale, and their not being against the laws of nature, does not weigh against them. But those facts in the Bible which contradict the laws of nature, must be examined with more care, and under a variety of faces. Here you must recur to the pretensions of the writer to inspiration from God. Examine upon what evidence his pretensions are founded, and whether that evidence is so strong, as that its falsehood would be more improbable than a change in the laws of nature, in the case he relates. For example in the book of Joshua we are told the sun stood still several hours. Were we to read that fact in Livy or Tacitus we should class it with their showers of blood, speaking of statues, beasts, &c. But it is said that the writer of that book was inspired. Examine therefore candidly what evidence there is of his having been inspired. The pretension is entitled to your inquiry, because millions believe it. On the other hand you are astronomer enough to know how contrary it is to the law of nature that a body revolving on its axis as the earth does, should have stopped, should not by that sudden stoppage have prostrated animals, trees, buildings, and should after a certain time have resumed its revolution, & that without a second general prostration. Is this arrest of the earth's motion, or the evidence which affirms it, most within the law of probabilities? You will next read the New Testament. It is the history of a personage called Jesus. Keep in your eye the opposite pretensions: 1, of those who say he was begotten by God, born of a virgin, suspended & reversed the laws of nature at will, & ascended bodily into heaven; and 2, of those who say he was a man of illegitimate birth, of a benevolent heart, enthusiastic mind, who set out without pretensions to divinity, ended in believing them, and was punished capitally for sedition, by being gibbeted, according to the Roman law, which punished the first commission of that offence by whipping, & the second by exile, or death in fureâ.
...Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of its consequences. If it ends in a belief that there is no God, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise, and the love of others which it will procure you... In fine, I repeat, you must lay aside all prejudice on both sides, and neither believe nor reject anything, because any other persons, or description of persons, have rejected or believed it... I forgot to observe, when speaking of the New Testament, that you should read all the histories of Christ, as well of those whom a council of ecclesiastics have decided for us, to be Pseudo-evangelists, as those they named Evangelists. Because these Pseudo-evangelists pretended to inspiration, as much as the others, and you are to judge their pretensions by your own reason, and not by the reason of those ecclesiastics. Most of these are lost...
[Letter to his nephew, Peter Carr, advising him in matters of religion, 1787]”
― Letters of Thomas Jefferson
...Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of its consequences. If it ends in a belief that there is no God, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise, and the love of others which it will procure you... In fine, I repeat, you must lay aside all prejudice on both sides, and neither believe nor reject anything, because any other persons, or description of persons, have rejected or believed it... I forgot to observe, when speaking of the New Testament, that you should read all the histories of Christ, as well of those whom a council of ecclesiastics have decided for us, to be Pseudo-evangelists, as those they named Evangelists. Because these Pseudo-evangelists pretended to inspiration, as much as the others, and you are to judge their pretensions by your own reason, and not by the reason of those ecclesiastics. Most of these are lost...
[Letter to his nephew, Peter Carr, advising him in matters of religion, 1787]”
― Letters of Thomas Jefferson

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
―
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”
―

“If creative fiction writing is a process of translating an abstraction into the concrete, there are three possible grades of such writing: translating an old (known) abstraction (theme or thesis) through the medium of old fiction means (that is, characters, events or situations used before for that same purpose, that same translation) -- this is most of the popular trash; translating an old abstraction through new, original fiction means -- this is most of the good literature; creating a new, original abstraction and translating it through new, original means. This, as far as I know, is only me -- my kind of fiction writing.”
―
―

“It is from the Bible that man has learned cruelty, rapine, and murder; for the belief of a cruel God makes a cruel man.”
― The Age of Reason
― The Age of Reason

For book lovers who hold equal inherent inalienable rights sacred. Let's have a tea party. ...more

This group is for book lovers who: * are happy & benevolent (or, want to be) * want to have a good time * crave to flex their minds * admire hero ...more

Welcome: ... Advocates of Reason ... Hero Worshippers ... Ayn Rand Fans

A group about my novels and other writings, and about friends and other readers. Reason Reigns and Royal Serf - A Hearing http://www.goodreads.com/a ...more

Only members of this group get to see my story unfold as I write more and more of it. You can constructively critique, help with ideas, help edit, etc ...more

Anything goes. Word games. Word play. Add to stories, book discussions, book satires. Please keep discussion headings clear. If unsure, please begin ...more

People write books for many reasons, so why did you write yours?

اين گروه در خصوص كتابها ،مقالات و نوشته هايي است كه همه افراد در خصوص برقراري روابط انساني ، عاشقانه ،ادبي وهنري با هم ردوبدل مي كنند اين گروه شماست ش ...more

It is for all of those Anne Perry fans out there. It gives them a chance to talk about her and her books.

JOIN JOIN JOIN!!!!! come share your thoughts and expand your thinking to a whole new level. Then enter some contests and Read some books, it's almost ...more
Comments (showing 141-190)
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Any recommendations for first time readers of Ayn Rand, philosophy, and political thinking?


Thank you for the invitation, accepting was my pleasure.
Did I see you live in Piscataway? I grew up at Exit 8, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area. Now I'm freezing my butt off in NH. Feh.
I'll check out those groups, and your books as well. If I ever finish this book I'm reading now, not one page read this week. *sigh*
Thanks again, and have a great weekend.

Truly am an admirer of history & its great leaders. Trying my hand at some writing--nonfiction (early memories) started pouring when I travelled to assist my Father last Spring '08..and have been evolving into some interesting-themed fiction, I believe!?!
I do believe in spooks--I do believe in spooks!
:) Teresa

thank you adding me as a friend. I'm new at goodreads and I have to say I really like it. Many greetings!


Your book looks interesting..my "To Read" list gets longer and longer Teresa :)

Im Great thanks.. sure I will look at those groups and hopefully read as much of the books as I can :)

ilyns your blooo0o00ooo0o0o0g is one of BE$$$$$$T....

thanks for your friend-request :)
I go to visit the groups that you have suggested me..thank you!!
Have a great day!!
Best whishes!
xx
Fran

May I ask why you sent me a request though? Just curious.

Thanks so much for the request, and I'll be more than happy to check out those groups. I hope you have a wonderful day Ilyn!!
All my love,
Roxanne

Coming from the other side of the pond. I would like to join in with these discussions. But they are if you excuse me very American. I have read a great deal about America I especially liked the writings of Studs Terkel
I have recently finished a great novel Called BRAZIL``written by LINCOLN ERROL.
I have a question. Why has the USA been at war with someone since 1774 till the present day/

I'm doing great...how are u?
And you are very welcome and thank you for sending it!
I wish you the best as well!
And once i get the chance i will check them out
Thanks
XoXoX
Jill

how are you??
of course i'll check the groups you said
ps. sorry i took so long to reply

How are you? Thank you for accepting my friend-request, for your message, and for marking Reason Reigns & Royal Serf to-read. It’s so nice to meet you. I wish you everything good.
..."
Dear Ilyn,
I have everything perfectly. How are you doing?
Thank you for the invitation to become friends. And I really want to read your books, even though previously I did not hear about them, unfortunately.
I will necessarily glance at these groups. Many thanks.
Take care.
Anna.

Apologies for my delayed reply, I'm not very good at keeping up with these things...I get distracted by all the books...
Anyways, its lovely to have you as a friend and I thank you for adding me :-) I'm definitely going to have a look at the groups you've suggested and knowing me join a few too.
Hope you're having a lovely month,
Pob hwyl (all the best)
Sam :-)

Thank you for the warm welcome.
I am looking forward to having a good look around, and will check out the groups you suggested.
Thanks again
Larissa

I am quite well, thank you for asking. :) How are you? Your novel, "Reason Reigns" sounds very intriguing. I plan on checking it out ASAP! :D

Read and now rereading your new novel "The Royal Serf". Am so overwhelmed with its message. My salute to you for such boldness and courage. Ilyn Ross has really metamorphosed into one of her beau ideal.

Take it easy

Nice to meet you too! :)
Cherry