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Protestantism Vs Capitalism

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Capitalism is an economic system in which nation’s trade is depended on individuals, or private business, rather than by state. This economic system started to evolve in sixteenth century, in Europe. Netherlands and England are the places which are considered as the birthplaces of capitalism. So the question is, why where this two countries first to develop this system, and not other European countries? The answer to this question can’t be one issue only, but the main factor is, that they where Protestants. Protestantism played a huge role in development of capitalism, because of their beliefs (predestination), and encouragement of materialistic things.
Protestantism is branch of Christianity which also, like capitalism developed in sixteenth …show more content…

Predestination in Protestantism means that there are only few chosen persons and others are damned. No human can change if he or she is elect. "stressing the absolute sovereignty of God’s will, held that only those whom God specifically elects are saved, that this election is irresistible, and that man can do nothing to effect this salvation." (Columbia Encyclopedia, p. 428) This is a pretty pessimistic view of the world, but it creates “pessimistically disillusioned type of individualism”. They understood that nothing could save them if they were not elected by God. This made Protestants more rational in there thinking. They became more separated from church because they understood that church could not really save them. This kind of thinking on one hand would greatly enhance the spread of capitalism, because this economic system is founded on rationalism. without something extra the fact that there is no escape could lead to a complete lack of motivation, but Protestants, after realizing that they can only get as much as God wants them to get, …show more content…

Catholic’s believe that a person should not strive towards accumulation of wealth, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:24-25). This certainly could not benefit in spread of capitalism, because capitalism is all about accumulation of wealth. On the other hand Protestant church has radically different relationship with wealth. They not only allow the gain of money, but they encourage people to do so. For them gain of wealth is associated with been the elected ones. This fact could greatly enhance the spread of

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