First I would like to say Rand has influenced my life in a positive way, especially The Fountainhead. Recently though I've experienced a darkside to Ayn Rand, or at least the followers of Rand. In the last few months I've had a number of debates with the followers of Ayn Rand. I find it strange that proponents of objective reality and reason would be almost religious in their devotion to Ayn Rand. I noticed when debating these devotees of Rand that instead of debating an issue they tend to try and convince me why my thinking is wrong. Of course some believers in objectivism are quite willing to question their assumptions, but the one trait I've noticed with many of these people is their closed mindedness. I understand objectivism and the belief that there are absolute truths, but I noticed it is usually Rand's version of the absolute truth that is held as a gospel. I also became quite aware that when these supporters of Rand are questioned, they become almost missionary like in their zeal to try to convert me to their way of thinking. Can you be a believer of objectivism and disagree with many of Rand's assertions? Why are the proponents of reason and free thought so quick to stifle dissenting ideas?