Is Capitalism a Sin?

[Cordoba]

For Those of You on Your Way to Church This Morning ...a note from Michael Moore

Sunday, 4 October, 2009

Amidst all the Wall Street bad guys and corrupt members of Congress exposed in "Capitalism: A Love Story," I pose a simple question in the movie:
"Is capitalism a sin?"

I go on to ask, "Would Jesus be a capitalist?" Would he belong to a hedge fund? Would he sell short? Would he approve of a system that has allowed the richest 1% to have more financial wealth than the 95% under them combined?
I have come to believe that there is no getting around the fact that capitalism is opposite everything that Jesus (and Moses and Mohammed and Buddha) taught. All the great religions are clear about one thing: It is evil to take the majority of the pie and leave what's left for everyone to fight over. Jesus said that the rich man would have a very hard time getting into heaven. .....

MichaelMoore.com

Is today's practice of Capitalism a sin?

What do you think?

[Onkara]

Hi Cordoba
I enjoyed your post. I would like to offer an idea:

Capitalism is not a sin, it is the desires of people that make their action and its outcome a sin (or not). In this case I think we can liken desire to man’s will. We must reconcile this in respect that Allah knows what we do.

From knowing that our desires affect our actions, and it is going to be our actions (and consequently our desire) which will be judged, then we must take responsibility for ourselves. This responsibility is not against capitalism. In fact I would rather invest my money in a responsible capitalist.

Respectfully, Onkarah.

[Sunstone]

Capitalism needs to be regulated to bring it in line with most sane moralities.

[Dunemeister]

As it's currently practiced, yes it is a sin.

[madhatter85]

I would say the currenlt implementation of Capitalism is based off greed and entitlement. so yes, Sin.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by Cordoba

For Those of You on Your Way to Church This Morning ...a note from Michael Moore

Sunday, 4 October, 2009

Amidst all the Wall Street bad guys and corrupt members of Congress exposed in "Capitalism: A Love Story," I pose a simple question in the movie:
"Is capitalism a sin?"

I go on to ask, "Would Jesus be a capitalist?" Would he belong to a hedge fund? Would he sell short? Would he approve of a system that has allowed the richest 1% to have more financial wealth than the 95% under them combined?
I have come to believe that there is no getting around the fact that capitalism is opposite everything that Jesus (and Moses and Mohammed and Buddha) taught. All the great religions are clear about one thing: It is evil to take the majority of the pie and leave what's left for everyone to fight over. Jesus said that the rich man would have a very hard time getting into heaven. .....

MichaelMoore.com

Is today's practice of Capitalism a sin?

What do you think?

The real problem with modern capitalism is that we have completely lost our grasp of the difference between commerce and exploitation. Commerce is the trading of goods and services with the goal of enhancing the well being of all involved. Exploitation is the trading of goods and services to the advantage of one party at the expense of another. Modern capitalism has become the 'art of exploitation'. And as such is damaging the very society in which it thrives. It is nihilistically parasitical, and will destroy it's own host in it's blind lust for more.

As a society, we need to redefine what commerce is, and what it is not, and how it should be practiced in a modern and civil society before it destroys us. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for this to happen. There are still way too many folks among us that thinks 'greed is good'. And who will sadly vote for politicians that promote exploitation as 'free market capitalism'.

[Cordoba]

Originally Posted by PureX

Modern capitalism has become the 'art of exploitation'. And as such is damaging the very society in which it thrives. It is nihilistically parasitical, and will destroy it's own host in it's blind lust for more.

I totally agree with you

What can be done in the system of Capitalism to reduce/minimize exploitation?

Also, what can be done in order to reach a better distribution of wealth, and not end up with 1% of the population controling 95% of the wealth of society?

[TheKnight]

I used to think that Capitalism was a sin. But then I thought about it and well, it's more justifiable, in a moral sense, then socialism/communism.

Although I do believe that greed is an undesirable condition, capitalism, in and of itself, is not.

[Alceste]

Originally Posted by Cordoba

I totally agree with you

What can be done in the system of Capitalism to reduce/minimize exploitation?

Regulate.

Also, what can be done in order to reach a better distribution of wealth, and not end up with 1% of the population controling 95% of the wealth of society?

Tax.

[Cordoba]

The problem with a higher tax rate in today's global economy is that it somehow discourages investment on the long run, which means fewer new local jobs

Countries with lower tax rates and higher potential profits would then be their alternative destination, and new investments and jobs would move to countries like China ....