Religion and Business - A Quick Comment

[kokopelle]

I've found the connection between Biblical fundamentalism and "big business" to both puzzling and informative. Putting aside the fundamentalist beliefs, one would think that the Christian faith would be mystical and subjective. On the other hand, one would think that business would just be about numbers, a very objective view. This seems to be too simplistic. The fundamentalist bent makes that brand of Christianity very objective. Strategies, plans, and goals trump the fuzzy business of "saving souls". The business side crosses over into the subjective via their advertising and other forms of consumer outreach. A quick glance at the advertisements today show them to be glib and inspiring, or so the advertising firms would like them to be. This is the approach that evangelical guys should be taking if they want to increase their own "market share" of converts. Instead, biblical fundamentalism seems more focused on subjugating the world, more so than any business enterprise has dreamed of doing.

So, we have big business acting like a religion and religion acting like big business. No wonder they get along with each other. The cynical side of me says that it's really about the people and money behind the two. IMO there is a LOT of back-scratching going on. That's material for another post.

Comments

[iskender.livejournal.com]

Coin-counters aren't objective. They're rational, but they're very focused, very limited in scope. Rationality does not equal objectivity.

And religion is neither subjective nor objective. It crushes the individual, imposing a group view, but it also is limited to that view. It's a subjective group mentality. Often mistaken for objectivity, but not objective at all.

So I don't think the objective/subjective analysis fits at all. But the market approach does. They're both selling.

But that's not so much a cross-over. It's just that merchants rule our society, as they have seldom ruled any other. It affects familial mores, it affects our foreign policy, and it affects our religion. Everyone's selling something, because that's the dominant form of relationship today.

[greensh.livejournal.com]

A fair analysis. It's interesting how you interpreted the words "objective" and "subjective".

I do have to say that not all flavors of Christianity are in the selling mode. Some are quite happy with tending their flocks while servicing those who choose to join. Likewise, not all business is "big business". According to the stats, the quantative majority of businesses are "small to mid". That said, I suspect that the majority of earnings are in the pockets of the big business group.

I do find it fascinating that the most selling/proselytizing faiths are also typically aligned politically with business (IMO). I agree fully with the statement "they're both selling". Speaking very generally, both also see themselves having a mandate to thrive and survive at the detriment of those who oppose them. This is the part that sets off the red flags in my conspiracy thinking. Sigh.