What is the relationship between capitalism and religion?
Isn't Capitalism opposed to freedom of religion?
No. Capitalism is the only system that allows
freedom of religion, including freedom from it. Or, in the words of
James Madison,
"While we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess and to
observe the religion which we believe to be of a divine origin, we cannot deny an equal
freedom to those whose minds have not yet yielded to the evidence which has convinced
us."
Thus, capitalism neither supports nor opposes religion, as long as those religious
practices do not violate the rights of others. Or. in the words of
Thomas Jefferson,
"The legitimate powers of government
tend to such acts as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to
say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
What is the relation between religion and socialism?
Religion is hierarchically below than socialism; religion is a complete outlook of the
world (it deals with more fundamental issues); socialism (as conventionally
used) is concerned with
politics/economics.
Religion -- a pre-philosophical outlook -- is a perfect philosophical
base for socialism. The philosophical essentials of religion are as
follows: in metaphysics religion holds to the supernatural and miracles (as
opposed to reality and causality), in epistemology religion holds that the
means of knowledge is revelation and faith (as opposed to reason and logic),
in ethics religion holds to self-sacrifice or altruism (as opposed to
self-interest and the pursuit of happiness)
The only result of such a philosophy as religion, is in principle identical to
that of Marxist atheists: when carried out in principle it will lead to some form
of collectivist, anti-capitalist politics.
Is America founded upon religion?
Contrary to the religious conservatives (and religious liberals) prattling about the "Biblical foundations" of America, Mr. Jefferson writes in his
Autobiography,
"...an amendment was proposed by inserting the words, 'Jesus Christ
... the holy author of our religion,' " which was rejected "by a great majority
in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and
the Gentile, the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindu, and the Infidel of every
denomination."
And again in a A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, Jefferson
writes, "...that our civil rights have no dependence on religious opinions, any more
than our opinions in physics and geometry..."
This capitalist attitude to religion is best summarized by Thomas Jefferson who writes,
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely
crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every
opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God, because, if there be one, he
must more approve of the homage of reason than that of a blind faith."
Recommended Links:
Religion versus
Morality [Ayn Rand Institute]
Religion is a primitive form of philosophy, because it
attempts to provide a theory of the nature of man, man's place in the
universe, and a guide to human action. But religion admittedly has no rational
basis, meaning: no basis at all. "Faith" is merely someone's
assertion (without evidence) that something is true. As a "guide" to
life, it couldn't be more dangerous. And it is becoming an increasing danger
to Americans as the 21st Century approaches. The religious right's efforts
to enforce religion and destroy our rights is all around us: laws preventing
abortion and assisted suicide, censorship, school prayer in public schools,
laws against homosexuality, laws mandating the teaching of "creationism."
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