Socialism provides an inherent, collective purpose that unites people toward a common goal. Capitalism, by contrast, is inherently individualistic; it atomizes society, reducing ambition to the self and leaving people fragmented. Without a built-in collective vision, the system requires an external, cohesive force, and that force becomes religion.
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@yogthos And when traditional religion, which is at least honed by thousands of years of trial and error in providing some kind of unifying vision, is abandoned (often under the influence of capitalist drives) you get new religious movements that are utterly ludicrous *and* utility-free like TESCREAL.
@yogthos Why can't it be rationalism? It is in large parts of Europe.
@woo I don't see how rationalism provides a uniting vision on its own
@yogthos The way that 'religion' does in Israel? 😄 You can easily arrive at the principles common to the major religions just by thinking what's best for everyone. Sins are generally actions that hurt others, for selfish reasons.
@woo it's pretty clear that the core principles of a religion have little to do with the actual beliefs of the adherents, it's just acts as a way to signal group membership
It can be argued that monotheistic religions are the spiritual equivalent of capitalism in that they present the same obsession with hierarchy, paternalism, misogyny and usury as real-world incarnations of capitalism and imperialism.
Weird to think that modern day religions might have been invented to justify the inequality and exploitation of a debt-based economic system....
@ReggieHere right, they provide a framework that encourages a compatible set of values
I suppose that explains the ridiculous amount of 'scripture' dedicated to the governance of lending and interest, and that usury is effectively banned in Islam and Christianity.
No wonder the European Kings and Emperors thought it was a good idea.
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