Christianity and Capitalism

[Mak]

Here in America the two are intertwined, yet both teach different things. How can it be that Christianity teaches to look out for thy neighbor and to not want riches or greed yet these are the solid foundations of Capitalism. Seems to me that the entire American society is hypocritical and contradicting.

Proud to be a Scientific Pantheist/Humanist and Libertarian Socialist in a this cynical country.

[RedSunRising]

Here in America the two are intertwined, yet both teach different things. How can it be that Christianity teaches to look out for thy neighbor and to not want riches or greed yet these are the solid foundations of Capitalism. Seems to me that the entire American society is hypocritical and contradicting.

Proud to be a Scientific Pantheist/Humanist and Libertarian Socialist in a this cynical country.


Uh there have been Christian societies that were "Asiatic mode of Production", feudal, slave and capitalist.

The PCP-MLM which led a no messing around armed struggle against against capitalism found that religious beliefs didnt effect people's willingness to pick up the gun.

[Sir Comradical]

Christianity being a religion, can be moulded around anything.

[Ocean Seal]

Here in America the two are intertwined, yet both teach different things. How can it be that Christianity teaches to look out for thy neighbor and to not want riches or greed yet these are the solid foundations of Capitalism. Seems to me that the entire American society is hypocritical and contradicting.

Proud to be a Scientific Pantheist/Humanist and Libertarian Socialist in a this cynical country.

Ye cannot serve God and a mammon
Mathew 6:24

The Bible makes very clear what God thinks of the ruling class. The teachings of Christ are ultimately to work to the benefit of humanity as a whole. And to suffer to achieve a better world. The reason that the United States is both Christian and capitalist is because most Christians and most Americans in general are not members of the capitalist class. Most of them don't try to screw over their fellow workers, or try to seek advantage over a fellow worker. The few that are in charge of this capitalist society and they attempt to rationalize what they do so that they can sleep at night. The majority of Americans don't go against this because they don't know how. They've been sold the commies are bad story, time and again, they don't know how to operate their unions, and they think that because this is the way that it always has been, that this is the way that it always will be.

[Astarte]

Here in America the two are intertwined, yet both teach different things. How can it be that Christianity teaches to look out for thy neighbor and to not want riches or greed yet these are the solid foundations of Capitalism. Seems to me that the entire American society is hypocritical and contradicting.

Proud to be a Scientific Pantheist/Humanist and Libertarian Socialist in a this cynical country.


Christianity met greed during the Protestant Reformation - this is when the notion of Jesus as a "personal God" really came into being historically - sects such as the Calvinists built on it - they believed you were either one of the "Elect" or you weren't. Of course, if you were a Calvinist, you were most likely elect, and the elect were pre-determined to go to Heaven, so all the greed and exploitation in the world did not make much of a difference. I Believe Max Weber goes over this in his book "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism".

Some may say Christianity met greed during the council of Nicea in 325 AD when it was co-opted by the Romans, but that is when it met state power.

The Catholic Church and the Protestant Sects do not even come close to the spiritual truths Jesus was trying to portray; you are better off watching "Godspell". :laugh:

But seriously, there are numerous verses in the New Testament, and also in the Old which condemn excessive wealth, and the near impossibility of the rich man to understand virtue, righteousness, and justice.

[Inquisitive Lurker]

Liberation Theology, which is now dead, was a somewhat anti-capitalist movement of Christianity. But it was squashed very effectively by those in power. 1970's, 1980's.

[graffic]

I think there are only a few people high up in the Church who understand what the Bible says about greed and wealth and take it seriously. Perhaps a lot of "Christians" in the UK ignore the passages that are anti-capitalist. And those that are are so religious are not interested in anything materialistic and rely on "Gods grace" etc to perhaps help the poor or perhaps believe in social democracy to an extent but praying and being spiritual occupies more space in their lives than politics.

[Inquisitive Lurker]

It is interesting reading some of the Biblical quotes and writings of Saints that are anti-capitalist and pro-socialist.

http://www.anglocatholicsocialism.org/acsoc.html