... and you're pondering the deeper things of God... so you stop here and read:
The ideology of capitalism is based on an "individualistic logic"--which is not to be confused with a focus on people--and here we start to see the doctrines of our "religion", all based on a faulty anthropology.
First, it is determined that to be human is to consume. Then, humans are modeled as abstract individuals. The objective, then, is to maximize the number of choices available to the individual, so as to optimize their happiness. (We can see how this system can spin out of control: In order to continue to grow, producers must generate new tastes for their increased production. Apparently there is much that we as individuals desperately need that we are not yet aware of.) The ultimate goal of this "faith" is happiness through material wealth and liberation from social constraint.
Of course, God stands in opposition to this religion. The Levitical principle of Jubilee maintains the connection between people, community and place. This is a very different economic vision than capitalism. Also, the incident at Babel illustrates God's opposition to oppressive conformity. The application of diversity is a biblical principle, and as the transformation at Pentecost demonstrated, all have a place in the redeemed community.
In considering our question it seems that capitalism does indeed function as a "religion" in our culture, and a destructive one at that. We need to stand in opposition to this ideology with our own Christian anthropology: As a community we need to rediscover and emphasize what it means to be human in Christ, who was himself perfectly human, in the face of the dehumanizing powers. We must be willing to give support to Christian communities other than our own. And we must reclaim Christianity's original characteristic of being counter-cultural. The religions of capitalism and Christianity cannot be harmonized; to be a disciple of one is to stand in opposition to the other.
Wow... I feel closer to God now... you?
But wait, in the comments to this post, there's more:
Capitalism is not a religion because it does not answer the fundamental questions of 'who am i?', 'where have i come from/ am I going?' and 'why?' - although maybe Marxism does?
The Religious Left... doing for Christ and His purposes what only they can do...
Promote Marxism/Socialism over Capitalism while considering this something that will endear you to God and move you...
Feeling moved?
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