How do you reconcile the facts of modern life; capitalism, disparity of wealth, various justices/injustices, and laws that are contrary to the teachings of Christianity with your faith in the contemporary era? Is charity important to you, and do you (rightly) agree that legality does not equal morality? If so, what justification do you have for living in a nation in which what is 'right' by the teaching of a religion so many believe in is at odds with the cultural drive for excess?
English
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How does capitalism conflict with Christian teachings?
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How doesn't it? Capitalism at its very core is about survival of the fittest (or the most ruthless). Within it, an individuals very aim is to accumulate selfishly - by its very nature, in an environment with limited resource, at the expense of others - with no thought to the wider community. Whilst, yes, you can be socially minded, that is not the pint, nor purpose of Capitalism. A business may have employees, but its aim is not to provide for them; its aim is growth and profit. This comes usually at the expense of its employees. For example, I am taking a few years out from University to accumulate some savings to pay my living expenses and am currently working for a business that is disappointed that it only made ~$2.2 Billion in profit last year. That profit doesn't go to enrichen its workforce as would be the fair thing, but it goes to a select few at the top, whilst it continues to pay on or near minimum wage to thousands. Lovely, but unrelated, you may be thinking - there is a point however. Now I'm no man of religion (nothing exceptional here in the UK), but I'm pretty certain that there is something about rich men having a harder time getting into heaven than a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Capitalism by its very purpose seeks to make all who participate rich men, and do so by taking wealth at the expense of others.
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Capitalism promotes success for those who want it. It's nice that you are taking some time off from university to experience the workforce, but try to look at it as a learning experience. You sound very intelligent, but I can pick up on a Marxist-like anger in your writing. I am a believer in a free market. I am also a Christian (not as involved in the religion as much I would hope to be). I don't see any contradiction between the two.
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Ha! Certainly not a Marxist Everything, including the original question, is purely theoretical. I am simply curious to see how a Christian can reconcile the idea f the pursuit of wealth with the ideal of 'betterment for all'
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They aren't mutually exclusive.
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True enough. I recall a documentary from a while ago re: the pressures exerted on wealthy Texans to donate heavily to charity. Simply curious as to American Recoil's stance on the matter. Having known of the guy for a good many years (you don't get to beyond a decade on Bungie without knowing a few people), I thought this would be a decent opportunity ;)