Ayn Rand was a well-known novelist and philosopher who upheld individualism over collectivism and egoism over altruism. She defended the individual over all the forces that could weaken it. Ayn wrote several popular novels. Some of which included Anthem, Fountain Head, and Atlas Shrugged. She defended her thoughts about God that lead her to believe it weakened her and led her to become an atheist (Smith, 1991, pp. 30-35). Ayn founded the philosophical movement of objectivism. This was a movement that was based on the basis of her life and her works (Smith, 1991, p. 67).
             Ayn Rand was born Alissa Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She was the oldest of three children who all received a quality education in different private school systems. Ayn learned how to read and write at the age of six. She was always known to express her strengths in school (Yang, 2000, pp.139-152). She was a
             very intelligent teenager and an asset to her peers at school. After she graduated from high school, Ayn attended the University of Arizona. She believed in her own advice and studied the impractical dimensions of history. Thus being the initiation of Ayn's career as a famous novelist and philosopher.
             Ayn's first doubt about her religious beliefs was during her high school years. It all began one day at band practice. One of Ayn's fellow band members became overly excited before practice had begun. Ayn was curious to find out what had happened to her. Her friend announced that day she had found God (Erickson, 1997, pp.54-57). Ayn was happy for her friend as she sat and listened to her stories of God. But now Ayn began to wonder if she really believed in God herself (Peikoff, 1988, pp. 1-8). A few weeks after the incident occurred in band, Ayn was still confused on what her religious beliefs really were. She decided to focus more attention on several different biblical phrases. She believed it wou...