believe capitalism is both an immoral and ineffective economic system. It truly does not value the
purpose of work nor the dignity, rights or needs of workers. It is a dangerous evil in today's
world.
Profit vs. People - The primary reason why capitalism is so dangerous is that it places the desire
for money over the needs of the workers that make the money. Because money is more
important than people, the workers become "Human Resources" and are used and exploited.
The world wide quest to de-regulate the market place is such a testimony to this. Sweat shops
are created and poverty flourishes. In our world today money seems to have more rights than the
working class.
It's based on want, selfishness and greed - In the past, the purpose of work and the economy
was to make money or produce enough goods to help feed your family and live a reasonable life.
Today this has changed. Advertising and consumerism is based on what people want rather than
their needs, the extras rather than the necessities. The people duped by consumerism thus feel
they don't just need a shirt on their back, but the fanciest one in style. People buy things they
don't need and won't help them. Sometimes this is even to the extent of denying the basic needs
of one's family for such luxuries. Televisions, computers, and decorative stuff are all signs of the
GREED of western society. In order to satisfy our increasing want, others must suffer.
Life Becomes a Competition- The theory of Capitalism is based on a free market where the big
survive and the small die. Rather than everyone working together to help everyone get by,
everyone is out to try and obtain as much as they can. Hearts become hardened and charity
dies. People do not look out for one another. In such a society there are always some winners
and many, many losers.
Life Becomes Toil- Elaborating on the above, people, rather than just getting by, must struggle to
get everything they want. This leads to more stress, less time and less priority to the important
things in life. People need to lay down more than two jobs to get what they need. The time for
relaxation and contemplation disappears. Laborers become worn out machines. One example is
Sunday. Until the last decade it was a day of rest(In Canada). Even beyond religious reasons, I
think this is needed for society to lay back and come out of the hustle. This does not happen
anymore. We work all week long in "a chase after the wind"
It's Idolatry - In a capitalistic society, money takes priority. It comes before family, God, mental
and physical health. It is the great "Baal" of our day. But like "Baal", money cannot solve our
problems, it cannot save us. It can buy us everything but happiness and take us everywhere but
heaven. The marketing campaigns of most corporations today are practically a religion,
preaching to you peace, acceptance and happiness through a product.
Workers don't enjoy their jobs - Because before the purpose of work was for living, the work was
always done for ones nessecities. There was a true spirit of dignity among the workers so the job
was done efficiently. Today, overworked and underpaid workers who don't have a spirit of dignity
or worth will not enjoy their jobs, become perturbed and depressed. This leads to much friction in
the family and workplace.
Profit over Product- Also, because the goal is based on profit, corners are cut whenever
possible. The goal is no longer to make the best product possible or the things people really
need. It's based on making the product that will make them the most money. This means stuff
that isn't always good quality. (I mean we can only expect so much from uneducated people
working in third world sweatshops) It's just to make a buck and if you fall for the ads they will.
Let's do what we can to end this beast that is gobbling up the peoples of our world.
In Christ the Worker,
Jason
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