As reported in USA Today, new poll results released by the Public Religion Research Institute/Religion News Service show that more Americans (44%) believe a capitalistic society is incompatible with Christian values than those who don’t (36%). This appears to be true regardless of race or denomination. Half of women polled believed capitalism and Christianity are at odds, compared with 37% of men. In addition, most Americans (61%) do not believe that businesses would act ethically on their own without government regulation, although 44% of white evangelicals said they would. Author and religion professor Andrew Walsh commented on the findings: “Throughout the Bible, we see numerous passages about being our brother’s keeper…the idea that we are autonomous individuals competing for limited resources without concern for the welfare of others is a philosophy that is totally alien to the Bible.”
What do you think? Does a free market system clash with traditional Christian values? How would you connect faith and economic justice?
