Sacrilege
by Eric Rockwell
In a culture full of conformity and compromise, it is a stunningly rare event to encounter something of distinction, let alone something that stands for our highest values. Such magnificence does exist, though, whether in the form of a symphony or a novel or a person. Upon coming to face to face with an embodiment of integrity, our immediate emotional response is one of respect and even love. And when the object of our admiration is attacked, we often act in defense of it. Occasionally, however, we fail to do so, thereby giving tacit sanction to the denigration of our values.
By way of an example, imagine that on a very special day, you encounter such originality in the form of a building called the Stoddard Temple of the Human Spirit. From the exterior, you notice that it stands apart from all the other buildings around it, as it makes no effort to conform to their mediocre designs, but instead it proudly and unequivocally states its bold idea with uncompromising clarity. For a moment, you wonder if such a structure can actually exist, or if this is some kind of fantastic dream. But you look again and realize that it’s real, it’s true, and it fills you with hope and inspiration.
A worker on the site named Mike, observing the sparkle of awe and wonder in your eyes, offers to show you the interior of the structure. Upon entering, you feel like you are walking amongst the soaring melodic strains of a symphony, as the space seems to fill you with emotion as only music can do. The melodies this building plays are of reason and freedom. The harmonies convey a sense of principled intransigence. The theme of the temple is not perfection, but rather the striving for it.
The experience of the Stoddard Temple stays with you as you walk home with the optimistic feeling that the culture of which you are a part isn’t necessarily as full of conformity and compromise as you thought. Instead, there is at least one small voice in this culture that stands for reason and individualism.
That sense of benevolent hope within you is nearly crushed upon encountering a very different small voice. It is a column by Ellsworth Toohey in the The Banner, devoted to an architectural review of the Stoddard Temple. Before you read, you glance at the illustration that sits next to the column. It is a rendering of the temple you saw today, but the cartoonist has twisted it into a grotesque caricature; it is depicted as a frightening house of horrors. Underneath the illustration, the text reads, “We cannot condone an outrageous sacrilege.”
Perhaps you assume that the esteemed architectural critic knows something you don’t. Perhaps you humbly acknowledge your lack of expertise in the area of architecture. Or maybe you just didn’t have the words to describe the grandeur that you saw in the building. At any rate, you do nothing. You continue to subscribe to the Banner, they continue to benefit from your patronage, and in your silence, the voice of Ellsworth Toohey is given sanction.
Years later, you are on a bike ride when you encounter a stunning sight in the Monadnock Valley. You meet the man who designed the beautiful development there, and the man is every bit as wondrous as his creation.
Later, you pick up The Banner to read Toohey gloat with a gleeful vindication that the entire Monadnock Valley project was not just a financial fraud, but an artistic one as well. You get the sense that Toohey's comments on Roark are more than mere criticism; they are self-righteous in tone, indignant in spirit, and loaded with hostility. Nevertheless, you expressed nothing in return. And again, you have sanctioned Ellsworth Toohey.
At some point, out of respect for your own values and your own judgment, you need to take action. It could be something active like writing a letter to the editor, extolling the artistic integrity which you perceived first-hand. Or you could simply cancel your subscription to The Banner. Either one of these actions is a way to defend your values.
There is a selfish reason for standing up for things you love. It is an investment in your own mind. Failing to do so, meekly allowing others to ruin the reputation of something or someone you prize, is to demean the value of your own perception. In allowing the smear campaign to proceed without protest, you not only participated in it through your silence, but you lowered your own self-worth in the process.
As Objectivists, we frequently encounter unfair attacks made against a novelist and philosopher whom we have profound respect for. Or, the attack might come in the form of a wickedly dismissive review of a movie you admire. Or a diatribe against a statesman who stands for individualism. When you encounter such things, see it as an opportunity to stand up for your values. In doing so, you’ll be standing up for yourself as well. Not doing so is nothing less than a sacrilege.
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