17.7 The economy influences religion

It is most probably true to say that the economy tends to have more influence on religion than the other way round.

Perhaps the most extreme view of the influence of the economy on religion was that of Karl Marx , the father of socialism. He made the statement that "religion is the opium of the masses." By that he meant that the elite of the society in which he found himself, was using religion to pacify the masses and to keep the workers in positions of subservience. He believed that religion, because it was used to legitimate the suffering of the workers, will decline and eventually disappear.

Although Marx’s views were extreme, it appears to be true that religion tends to support the economic norms and patterns of the society in which it finds itself. For example, in spite of the stress that the New Testament places on communal ownership, sharing of wealth, and giving to the needy, Christian churches, particularly in the West, usually support capitalism.

In summary, we need to say that although religion is definitely involved in, and a part of, the economy of the society in which it exists, it does not have much impact on the economy. It mainly supports the economy as one of many buyers and sellers.of goods and services.