EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE Part 6

Everything Must Change

Part 6

The Prosperity System

Do you have any idea where the products that you buy come from?

          Does it make any difference to you?

Would you avoid companies that use sweatshops or unfair practices?

McLaren begins this section by saying:

While to outsiders, economics may seem like an objective discipline of science, numbers, statistics, and other hard data, there are many reasons to look at the economic sector of the suicide machine --- what we are calling the prosperity system --- in a religious light.  It is, after all, ultimately about the immaterial currency called desire. (p190)

What do you think?

          Do you agree or disagree?

What is of "true value" to you ---- what is worth desiring? (p190)

How would you define theocapitalism?

Did you agree with his FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF THEOCAPITALISM?

          1.       The Law of Progress Through Rapid Growth

          2.       The Law of Serenity Through Possession and Consumption

          3.       The Law of Salvation Through Competition Alone

          4.       The Law of Freedom to Prosper Through Unaccountable Corporations

What to you is a good and positive kind of prosperity?

How does Jesus answer these Four Laws?

          1.       The Law of Good Deeds for the Common Good

                             Fruitfulness not consumption

          2.       The Law of Satisfaction Through Gratitude and Sharing

          3.       The Law of Salvation Through Seeking Justice

          4.       The Law of Freedom to Prosper by Building Better Communities

What did you think of Rene Padilla's analysis of Capitalism and Communism?

Communism specialized in distribution but failed at production.  As a result, it ended up doing a great job of distributing poverty.  Capitalism was excellent at production but weak at distribution.  As a result, it ended up rewarding the wealthy with obscene amounts of wealth while the poor suffered on in horrible degradation and indignity.  Latin America is still waiting for a viable alternative, as is the whole planet. (p 220)

McLaren goes on to say:

The story of the coming century will likely be the story of whether a sustainable form of capitalism can be saved from theocapitalism, or whether unrestrained theocapitalism will result in such gross inequity between rich and poor that violence will bring civilization to a standstill, or perhaps worse.

What do you think?

What insights did this section offer you about gratitude, happiness, and materialism?  How could these insights help you in your life?