The Salvation of Mankind

[Bob A Job]

As a country or group of people devlope, they always seem to grow into capitalism. I always saw capitalism as a problem as it makes the rich richer and the poor, poorer. But recently I have noticed that capitalism lessons religeous extremism. and fundamentalism. Is this a case of capitalists saving the world or just better the devil you know.... Discuss.

[andy hughes]

I think capitalism aligns itself with human nature. The idea of equal shares for everyone is a fine concept, but human nature is to take what you can for you and yours - it's only the degree of determination that varies.

[Bob A Job]

But do you think the individual greed that drives capitalism will be better than the destruction of religion?

[andy hughes]

I'm not sure that the two are actually connected. Christianity is dying as aresult of cultural changes, not 'destruction', it has singulalry failed to address the issues of its faith, and its faithful, preferring instead to wallow in a pit of undeserved money, moral ineptitude, sanction child abuse, and a wilful inability to live in the real world. Capitalism simply gets on with doing what it does well - a lesson the church could certainly learn, before it is too late.

[Bob A Job]

I argue that the two are connected. people need a driving force in their lives and something to give it direction. Some people choose religion (subconciously of course) other people choose a career. Now more people have access to a better life they want more. So they no longer go to church to feel better, instead they go to the pub and gloat over how much money they've earnt. Is this a step in the right direction?

[tartanwiz]

Capitalism can dispense with religion, monarchy and nationalism, which is why today's Tories no longer cry about 'God, Queen and Country'. It can dispense with racism and sexism too, and this is happening. However, divisions between rich and poor will continue under capitalism becaus ecapitalism DEPENDS on inequality of wealth to work.

[el duerino]

yes in a sense it unifies men under a common banner of greed and opportunity. on the other hand it causes as much division as any other world view, however the effect is lessened because there is a chance to bridge the gap even if you are at the very bottom of the ladder.

[Bob A Job]

But is this a better scenario than religion, monarchy, nationalism. What im really saying is. Are we really progressing or just finding another way of destroying ourselves?

[tartanwiz]

We are not really progressing. Capitalism is changing, that's all. Old traditions can go so long as the money ethic remains. In the futire we may have no national barriers, no religion, possibly no families either. Will the world be a better place? No! There will still be rich and poor because capitalism depends on inequality. Capitalism generates wealth through competition. The wealth cannot be shared out equally because then the competitive element would go and the economy wouldn't work. It is crazy. It's not that there isn't enough wealth and food and goods to around the whole world, but capitalism needs to keep a rich minority at the top and a deprived underclass at the bottom.

[Bob A Job]

So.... Is there an answer to capitalism? or.. Is capitalism the answer?