Religion has been the foundation of arrangement and strife of social orders, where both viewpoints make a noteworthy commitment to our comprehension of society. However, a new form of religion known as capitalism religion has developed which is now the source of hope and fulfilment for people in the modern world. This exposition will look into a structuralist and interpretative position on the effect of the capitalism religion on society and how religion can be used to help people understand it as a false hope. The scholars that will be utilized are Karl Marx, Max Weber, and David Loy.
According to David Loy, Capitalism is considered quite a successful religion in comparison to others because it helps us fulfil our role in the world which is a function of religion (Loy 1). However, it is a seductive religion that gives a false promise of fulfilment and happiness (Loy 2). Capitalism gives hope for fulfilment through the gaining of profits. However, the search and gain of these profits only lead to an insatiable desire for more leading to the strain on a limited pool of resources and thus economic and moral destruction (Loy 283).
David R. Loy, “The Religion of the Market,” Journal of the Academy of Religion 65.2 (1996): 276-289
This insatiable desire has been taken advantage of by corporations creating more and more wants and needs. They have achieved this through the creation of more products that create more needs which were not in existence before but continue to grow with globalization. This creation of insatiable desires and needs is evident in the resources poured into advertising new products every now and then (Loy 286). These events are all as a result of individualism which originated from the subjection of people to the laws of the economic markets. The Government was told not to interfere, however, policies from it were required to run the markets. However, these same policies have been used against us through corruption, engaging in industries considered uneconomic such as the production of nuclear power, misuse, and grabbing of limited resources, social inequity and injustice. This situation has led to the protection of the villains and the suffering of the honest hardworking people leading to a continued breakdown of community values.1
Capitalism religion has become widespread because it is viewed as a natural series of events occurring to promote the functionality of the economic system. This Religion originated from the Western Culture. Thus, some countries are thriving economically while others are wailing in poverty. This difference is as a result of the set of decayed moral values that guide this religion in keeping up with competitiveness to achieve fulfilment. As a result, environmental systems have been destroyed and continue to be destroyed to fulfil this insatiable greed. Yet, this is seen as just and reasonable in the daily chain of economic events.2
1David R. Loy, “The Religion of the Market,” Journal of the Academy of Religion 65.2 (1996): 283
2 Loy, 277.
Max Weber supports this view by David Loy by explaining that capitalism has stifled the person from the significance of life, bringing about distance where religion gives a way to get away. He views individuals as unbending inside society and staying consistent with standards and regulations, despite the misfortunes affecting occupation. His supporting exploration enlightens us of the genuine reality of life in England in cotton production lines and coal mines. Individuals together with youngsters were relied upon to work long hard days enduring up to twelve hours, in hot sweat-soaked plants where death rates were high because of diseases, for example, pneumonia.3 Coal mines brought about numerous shortcomings, where individual wellbeing was insignificant. Individuals were dealt with inadequately, and the trepidation of being supplanted if incompliant with processing plant administers, this in outcome results in estrangement.4
Marx likewise portrays "the industrialist method of creation" where we comprehend the framework which is placed set up request to build up an economy. For instance, a labourer offers administrations and the business offers pay for work consequently.5
3Karl Marx & Fredrick Engels, Industrial Capitalism. Harmondswoorth, UK, (1973): 75.
4Marx and Engels, 76.
5Marx and Engels, 77
Marx takes the position that "work seems, by all accounts, to be a merchandise to the proprietor," which builds up the supposition that we are controlled by some portion of our lives by Capitalist gatherings.6 Additionally the worker must cooperate with the bourgeoisie for self-continuation by purchasing produce.7
Loy supports Marx’s view by explaining that Capitalism has become our god rather than a means to an end, a servant. It has led to the development of a competition towards gaining assets as well as social standing in the race towards fulfilment and happiness. Social relationships are being used to achieve success in the capitalist world rather than the economy being used to develop social relations. It is every man for himself in this, people only considering their personal gain. Yet this is viewed as rational.8
Marx alluded to these as "the bourgeoisie" who have the strength and are the "proprietors of social generation and bosses of compensation work.”9 He dehumanized this class seeing their movement as changing "individual worth into trade esteem" by having one's close to home presence subordinate upon the amount you earned.10
6Marx and Engels, 30
7Marx and Engels, 36
8 Loy, 279
9Marx and Engels35
10 Marx and Engels 37
These days, this identifies with transnational organizations where they can position themselves in any nation and controls the administration's expense motivating forces. Marx gives a brief effect of how a sensational change can have on emotional wellness which has been clear as of late especially in Ireland. For example, Dell a PC organization moved to Poland as a consequence of less expensive work, despite the fact that Ireland is perceived as having a qualified and taught workforce. According to Loy, this is a true definition of moral decadence, a part of Western Culture where community spirit lacks, each individual tending to only his or her needs.11
Every one of these procedures makes vagueness and estrangement for the individual, and religion gives a way to make one feel significant and a technique for the getaway. Marx is meant for "luxurious rationality" where he persevered that individuals don't scrutinize their convictions, however, to fit in with them keeping in mind the end goal to accomplish quietness for their prosperity.12
Marx contends that religion maintains a strategic distance from reality and nature, where he trusts that there is no the great beyond; rather it is utilized by society as a method for adapting. There would be an absolute misery if nature somehow happened to affirm demise just, with no the hereafter, prompting people to feel of "creatures worth nothing to talk about.”13
11Loy, 277
12 Mark and Engels, 36.
13 Mark and Engels, 75.
It has handy ramifications, the friends and family of the dead are console and more prone to proceed onward without breaking a sweat and in this manner helps an entrepreneur society. 14 According to Loy, the entrepreneurial society formed from capitalism religion is as a result of a void unfulfilled by religion because of the ever increasing demands, continued diminishing of hope and the lack of real-life solutions to the current life problems.15
In connection to cutting edge, Marx gives a clarification of why the Catholic Church was so capable in 1960 to the 80's. In reflection, we were in the profundities of wretchedness with elevated amounts of migration and unemployment. Because of the little expectation for everyday comforts and neediness stricken families, religion gave a technique for departure to the laypeople where the objective of achieving a spot in paradise through dedication and supplication to God was preeminent.16
14Marx and Engels, 82
15Loy, 277
16Marx and Engels, 103
However, with the event of more people getting educated, people have become more independent minded not accepting of being subjects to others. This revolution has led to advancements in technology and thus improvement in the tools used in production. Resources being the key to fulfilment in capitalism religion, people have become more morally decayed looking to satisfy their own selfish interests thus leading to the destruction of the community wall. Land that was communally owned and passed down to generations is now owned by a few selling it to others leading to a pool of debts. Thus, the generation of social inequity some having high economic statuses as others suffer in poverty.17
Weber is condemning of the positivist methodology as it is thought to separate individuals by getting some information about social life as opposed to participating in the relevant setting. Thus, we are left with the issues and disparities which can't be resolved. 18 Moreover, we settle on choices as indicated by the decisions accessible to us and have all the earmarks of being significant. 19
17 Loy, 281
18 Elridge, 82
19 Elridge, 72
He expressed that those whom demonstration in social circumstance have both planned and unintended responses, therefore (Eldridge 78).Weber's cases of the hypothesis are constantly going down by his "vision of history" bringing about society's representation of an iron enclosure. I am sharp of this reference to society as Weber presents the world as one where we regularly repeat the bumbles of the past.
Weber's examination of capitalism was delineated by his book The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism. Weber trusted that religious establishments give an establishment to an industrialist society. The premise of Weber's work fixated on Protestantism in Germany, he made reference to the "profound upset" in the sixteenth century, taking a gander at the Puritan belief system. There is an accentuation on "mental powers" especially in religion, where we search for consolation in life, by contrasting ourselves with a perfect so not to exist in an unsystematic way.
Loy supports Weber by explaining that initially the Puritan Protestant Ethic separated the gaining of profits and capital from the assurance that one would gain fulfilment. Fulfilment would solely be found in God, trusting, believing and obeying Him as well as the Church. The spiritual nourishment the church gave to the people through Bible teachings gave people hope for a brighter future and happiness and that was adequate fulfilment. However, as the Puritans engaged in more business endeavours, they became more obsessed with the desire to have high social and economic statuses, prompting competition which is going on till date.21
20Eldridge, John Eric Thomas, ed. Max Weber: the interpretation of social reality. Nelson, 1972.
21 Loy, 280
Weber writing alludes to the legitimization of society; we move in the opposite direction of standard practices and new regulations are adjusted where it is esteemed as being more legitimate and productive. He relates this to administration and the improvement of free enterprise. Some of us are unconscious of this free enterprise that Weber discusses, we are associated inside the wonder and should get to be mindful of the "iron confine" which is installed in our human progress. 22 Weber's composition has for quite some time been misjudged, perhaps because of the rigidity towards change as a result of the normalcy viewed in capitalism religion as explained by Loy. Ritzer takes Weber's point of view yet makes in a way that is open to comprehend, and he utilize the fast food organization Mc Donald's as a layout for his contention, authoring the expression "McDonaldization" Weber returned to Protestant centre convictions which were fixated on having a decent hard working attitude This prompted a generalization of being "innovative" and seen as the "way of the general population" 23
22 Lippmann, Stephen, and Howard Aldrich. "The rationalization of everything? Using Ritzer's McDonaldization thesis to teach Weber." Teaching Sociology (2003): 134
23 Lippman, Stephen, and Howard Aldrich, 142.
Weber gave a normal investigation of every religion, applicable to Germany at the time. Protestantism revolves around substantiating oneself. Calvinism brought on nervousness inside adherents as they needed to demonstrate their confidence by being commit. In correlation, Catholicism fused weight focuses as one could discharge any transgressions throughout the year
At the season of his compositions, Catholics in Germany felt disempowered as Protestants appeared to will probably accomplish, which made political unsettling. This was additionally found in Kashmir where Hindus held the lion's share and Muslim's felt they would lose administration, which prompted numerous guiltless regular citizens kicking the bucket and relocating in their assigned region.
One of Weber's primary ideas is social activity; this is viewed as the cooperation with another and "definitively situated.” Weber explained on the sorts of social activity; the first is known as means-end identified with one being inspired to finish an objective for the deciding result. Social activity can be an after effect of propensity or being sincerely reliable.
24Eldridge, 110
25Eldridge, 112
26Eldridge, 113
The last clarification is acting as a result of a solid conviction with related significance, and the outcome is superfluous. For instance, the Evangelist church exhibits significant convictions on their fans especially youngsters and influence their impression of the world. A narrative illustrated the irregular thinking utilized on supporters. For instance, a mother in the narrative was recorded advising her kid that there is no such thing as an Earth-wide temperature boost, just being available on the planet until God needs us.
The religious structure is different levelled and gives an illumination of how social class is inclined to abuse, providing an impeccable to related laymen. Weber charts the lopsided characteristics which are clear in world religions. Weber clarified the organization conferred in the religion where a religious significant other must have "charm" picking up an unmistakable quality to take an interest. 27 As a depiction the situating structure works in Hinduism, you are acquainted with a specific class in both religion and society. Weber's guideline thought of private venture can be associated with the components of the overall population are fulfilled. Weber battled that there is a "stratification of attractive limit," people are grouped by an obligation to religion.28
27Turner, Bryan S. For Weber: Essays on the sociology of fate. Sage, (1996): 106
28 Turner, 114
According to Loy, the religion that led to the lack of satisfaction of needs in an ever growing competitive world is the same religion that will bring us back to the realization of our destruction. Capitalism religion is not a true religion but merely a temptation leading us to a path towards total destruction. It teaches us individualism, hatred, greed and selfishness all which do not work for the greater good.
29Turner, 114
30Turner, 110
A community’s greatness is not measured by the number of individuals in it but by the community spirit within those individuals. Semitic religions teach us that the lack of will to be morally upright is sin and part of what is causing social injustice. Also, Asian religions teach us not to live in a world of delusion being ignorant and lacking understanding. This teaching means that we only look to benefit ourselves individually yet we do not look at the future together to see the greater problems that will be caused by the current greed.31
The significant difference between the points of view is Marx trusts that disempowered people escape distance and interface with a more prominent force, and paradise will give a man salvation and capacities as a method for adapting. In an examination, Weber is condemning of the structure of religion as he showed the imbalance which is existent in the framework. Weber focuses on the cooperation between the religious establishments and society, as it gives an establishment to capitalism. Loy focuses on the void unfilled by religion as being taken advantage of by capitalist ideas to give false hope to people and engage them in the never-ending search for fulfilment through competition, greed, and misuse of resources. I feel that each explanation for the rise of capitalism religion brings out the situation as it is, filled with oppression, social inequity and injustice, greed, dissatisfaction and decadence of moral values. However, I disagree with Marx’s deploring of people’s religious beliefs dismissing them as merely a way of adapting. Yet many people draw hope and spiritual nourishment from these beliefs that instil them with moral values to help change this greed filled the world.
31Loy, 286
In general, all exhibit a reasonable comprehension of the world. I feel it is important to mix a little bit of all ways to deal with full increase comprehension of capitalism and religion. For example, I stay consistent with one hypothesis it might bring about the lack of awareness of another piece of social reality. There is clear confirmation that capitalism and religion both collaborate with each other and these hypotheses are still applicable to the modern society. Whatever is decided on as the ultimate set of solutions, we need to realise that the components of our humanity, moral values and community spirit are the major players in finding our way out of the claws of capitalism religion.
Work Cited
Eldridge, John Eric Thomas, ed. Max Weber: the interpretation of social reality. Nelson, 1972.
Lippmann, Stephen, and Howard Aldrich. "The rationalization of everything? Using Ritzer's McDonaldization thesis to teach Weber." Teaching Sociology (2003): 134-145.
Loy, David. R. “The Religion of the Market”Journal of the American Academy of Religion (1996): 276-289
Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels. Industrial Capitalism. Harmondswoorth, UK: Penguin, 1973
Roberts, Richard H., ed. Religion and the transformation of capitalism: Comparative approaches. Routledge, 2012.
Turner, Bryan S. For Weber: Essays on the sociology of fate. Sage, 1996.
