The conventional practice of capitalism has many traits that make it similar to a religion:
- Unquestionable dogma and “truths”. Profit at any cost is good.
- Irrational beliefs required – the beliefs cannot be challenged by logic. Big is always better.
- Compartmentalised short-term thinking – don’t think too much about wider implications.
- Power belongs to the few. The rich and powerful “priests”.
- The many work to benefit the few.
- The many toils under the belief that they are doing it for their own good, and that there is no alternatives.
- Denies the realities of humanity – business is just business. Business is amoral. Abstinence is effective.
- Divinity – the holy trinity of profits, capital, and market share.
- Driven and controlled by fear – risk averse and opposed to new ideas, especially ones that may threaten the status quo.
- Tax advantage.
- Doing whatever is needed to maintain the illusion of dogmatic fealty. Not taking responsibility for mistakes. Fiddling the figures.
- Worship rituals – the widespread celebration of big earners, fast earners, and fast growers; primarily from a simplistic profit perspective.
- Exclusivity – only certain people can be “business” people.
Amen.
