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Capitalism vs Social Values?

Sunstone

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Does capitalism undermine social values, such as community, compassion, liberty, equality, and so forth? Is the drive for profit so ruthless that it negates the value of everything that doesn't contribute directly to the bottom line? What do you think?

And if you believe that capitalism undermines social values, is there some reform of the system that could save both the benefits of capitalism and the benefits of the values it undermines? Conversely, if you believe that capitalism is compatible with traditional social values, then precisely how is it compatible?

What role, if any, does religion play in ameliorating the negative effects of capitalism?
 
A

almifkhar

Active Member
sunstone,
i read a bumper sticker on a car infront of me the other day that said
capitalism, a predority stage of human development

i thought it was right on the money.
 
Darkdale

Darkdale

World Leader Pretend
I think capitalism is the result of the best kind of social values. However, I think that the greed and selfishness which plague western society are corrupting an economic system that is primarily good. Religion needs to combat greed and selfishness and encourage charity and generosity.
 
Darkdale

Darkdale

World Leader Pretend
jamaesi said:
But not only religion combats greed and selfishness.
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter. The question was asked, " What role, if any, does religion play in ameliorating the negative effects of capitalism?". While I disagree that Capitalism is the cause of greed and selfishness, or that capitalism really has any consistent negative effect, I do believe that religion should lead the way against greed and selfishness and should encourage charity and generosity. I think everyone should be doing this, but religion should make it a priority.
 
W

world nonpotent

Member
: capatalism just is amenable by regard for its excusing worth of permiting the SINS of inequal presence for essential injustice, and just allow the system to work. Its a political justification for realistic improvement as opposed to the ideals the present govenment in the U.S. wants to brainwash everyone with. I like to listen to the church warn of greed and the danger of work ethics which deludes the social environment to self-deceipt. What's to PROFIT by it.

: of course, the present indifference of the values of the capatalism were not exactly for indifference to profit and alienating subjects on WORK. The Bush administration may not have sinned but perhaps merely slandered the good materialists worthy of the FREEDOM for self-deceipt, and repentence against greed or hypocrisy.

: another thing: we are not repentent for terroristic deceipt for the WAY the Jihad acts for estrangement.Knockout
 
Sunstone

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
world nonpotent said:
: capatalism just is amenable by regard for its excusing worth of permiting the SINS of inequal presence for essential injustice, and just allow the system to work. Its a political justification for realistic improvement as opposed to the ideals the present govenment in the U.S. wants to brainwash everyone with. I like to listen to the church warn of greed and the danger of work ethics which deludes the social environment to self-deceipt. What's to PROFIT by it.

: of course, the present indifference of the values of the capatalism were not exactly for indifference to profit and alienating subjects on WORK. The Bush administration may not have sinned but perhaps merely slandered the good materialists worthy of the FREEDOM for self-deceipt, and repentence against greed or hypocrisy.

: another thing: we are not repentent for terroristic deceipt for the WAY the Jihad acts for estrangement.Knockout
Click to expand...
Huh???
 
jamaesi

jamaesi

To Save A Lamb
Doesn't matter. The question was asked, " What role, if any, does religion play in ameliorating the negative effects of capitalism?". While I disagree that Capitalism is the cause of greed and selfishness, or that capitalism really has any consistent negative effect, I do believe that religion should lead the way against greed and selfishness and should encourage charity and generosity. I think everyone should be doing this, but religion should make it a priority.
Click to expand...
Is there any role that only religion can play in this?
 
Flappycat

Flappycat

Well-Known Member
The more religious people are, the more righteously outraged they seem to be that the government dares to give food to those horrible poor people who'll only trade those ramen noodles for drugs and alcohol and women. Religion makes charitable giving the rare exception. In a world without religion, it'd be the expected norm and done without much thought or fanfare.
 
Terrywoodenpic

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
The great Capitalists of the 18th and 19th century, were highly religious and built many Churches, and did many other good works.
at the same time they created great hardship, poverty, and inequality, their employees were only one step away from being slaves.
The main Churches in England, who were greatly indebted to the wealthy industrialists. supported them in return, and preached obedience to your masters.
There is a link between Great wealth and great poverty even today.
The only effective controller of capitalism is government, that is why big business spends so much money supporting and controlling parties that will act on their behalf.

Terry________________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.
 
michel

michel

Administrator Emeritus
Staff member
Darkdale said:
Doesn't matter. The question was asked, " What role, if any, does religion play in ameliorating the negative effects of capitalism?". While I disagree that Capitalism is the cause of greed and selfishness, or that capitalism really has any consistent negative effect, I do believe that religion should lead the way against greed and selfishness and should encourage charity and generosity. I think everyone should be doing this, but religion should make it a priority.
Click to expand...
Darkdale; I agreed completely with your post. Capitalism, like all concepts is ideal up to the stage when it is put into practice; the human being then gets hold of it, and some will abuse it - as you say, through greed.

I think you were a tad mean to Jamaesi; I think the point she was making was that for those who do not opt for religion, your point that Religious teaching should be the 'restraining power on greed' only covered those who follow some religion. Obviously, atheists, agnostics need to self discipline - I think that was the brunt of her message.;)
 
Darkdale

Darkdale

World Leader Pretend
jamaesi said:
Is there any role that only religion can play in this?
Click to expand...

hmmm... no. I think individuals, families and communities are what makes this country work and on these most basic levels, regardless of religion or politics or philosophy, are the positive social movements furthered.

michael said:
I think you were a tad mean to Jamaesi; I think the point she was making was that for those who do not opt for religion, your point that Religious teaching should be the 'restraining power on greed' only covered those who follow some religion. Obviously, atheists, agnostics need to self discipline - I think that was the brunt of her message.
Click to expand...

Well, in this particular case, I wasn't intending to be mean at all. :) I agree, with her point, if that was her point. Religion as an institution can be used to do a great deal of good, but there are hundreds of excellent secular organizations which do the same kinds of work as religion. I don't think there is any moral/social role exclusive to religion. I think everyone should be involved and get in the game.
 
michel

michel

Administrator Emeritus
Staff member
Darkdale said:
hmmm... no. I think individuals, families and communities are what makes this country work and on these most basic levels, regardless of religion or politics or philosophy, are the positive social movements furthered.



Well, in this particular case, I wasn't intending to be mean at all. :) I agree, with her point, if that was her point. Religion as an institution can be used to do a great deal of good, but there are hundreds of excellent secular organizations which do the same kinds of work as religion. I don't think there is any moral/social role exclusive to religion. I think everyone should be involved and get in the game.
Click to expand...
Of course, I agree 100%; I was just pointing out how I read her post.;)
 
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