Is capitalism antithetical to Christianity? The promotion of greed, growth at the expense of humanity (slaves, children, and immigrants are the cheapest laborers), wealth concentrated at the top, etc.
Discussion
It seems like it , but it's impossible to get rid of it on the world we live in.
I think there is a third category that fits here. Wealth hoarders. Static wealth is not the same thing as capitalist holdings, capital is resources that build income, jobs, and produce goods and services. The wealth working capital produces is reinvested in more capital and that benefits all segments of society. Wealth hoarders sit like Smaug on piles of potential capital and do nothing productive. Regarding religion, have you browsed the financial status of the world’s largest churches? Have you seen the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City? Meanwhile religious institutions idolize men like Jesus? All I can say is choose a dogma, stick close to the actual teachings, and practice what you preach.
I like that distinction between the “static wealth” and the more liquid wealth like currency holdings. I agree that the the building of stores and companies is wealth producing for citizenry but I reach a wall when I think about the unbelievable wealth churches like the Vatican have amassed.
Still learning. I appreciate your take.
Excellent question. The answer is yes, and no.
Capitalism by itself is not antithetical to Christianity (or even Communism, for that matter). It is considered a necessary, even welcome, stage in History. The catch here is that this applies only to Industrial Capitalism.
On the other hand, Finance capitalism, and the entire apparatus required to sustain and propagate it globally, *is* antithetical to Christianity. It's Mammon.
How does Finance Capitalism get realigned, if at all possible? Does it require forceful revolution, peaceful religious values instilled over generations, or even an economic wipe out (over-leverage, inflation, money printer, fractional reserve banking, etc) for reform to take place? It seems like the incentive structures of wealth siphoning to the handful of elites is too strong to break otherwise.
Forceful revolution + cultivating mass popular consciousness and support; at historically opportune moments. The Dialectic of History can't be short-circuited. No way out but through.