Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jedi Mind Trick · 07-29-2004, 09:40 AM

Read this and tell me what you think.
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...D=90492#Rating

Sven · 07-29-2004, 09:43 AM

From the article: "Economists searching for reasons why some nations are richer than others have found that those with a wide belief in hell are less corrupt [...]"

I wonder how Italy fits into this...

Rhaedas · 07-29-2004, 09:46 AM

Previous thread

I hope my tax money didn't go to this.

Jedi Mind Trick · 07-29-2004, 09:51 AM

My first thought was:
believe in hell -->become prosperous-->Become greedy-->Burn in the hell that led to your greed.
Safer for the prosperous to not believe in hell don't you think?

I wonder who the “Economists�? are.

Jedi Mind Trick · 07-29-2004, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhaedas

Previous thread

I hope my tax money didn't go to this.

Dang! I should have known someone would beat me to this.

Mageth · 07-29-2004, 09:55 AM

Another previous thread:

http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=93090

Ojuice5001 · 07-29-2004, 10:43 AM

This sounds like a pet theory of Max Weber's. Weber said that capitalism arose because of Calvinism. No one, including the Calvinists, liked the idea that anyone could be predestined for hell. So they wanted some kind of indicator that would reassure them that they were on God's good side, and like so many other problems, one good answer was money. This motivated them to work hard for riches. And once they had their money, they didn't go in for buying luxuries (which were morally suspect), or sharing it with the poor (who God had probably predestined for their fate). So they reinvested it, laying the foundation for capitalism.

So one way to interpret this is to recognize that fear is a major driving force in human psychology. It contributes to all kinds of endeavors. Worshipping God(s), who exert considerable control over people's fates, is one of them. And much seeking after money is also motivated by a fear of financial insecurity, a more pragmatic motive than the stereotypical desire for a six-bedroom house or whatever your status symbol of choice is.

There are reasons other than fear for seeking both God(s) and money, but fear certainly plays a role.

graymouser · 07-29-2004, 11:06 AM

So essentially, we see:

Step 1: Believe in Hell.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit!

Except they're being serious.

-Wayne

Plognark · 07-29-2004, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graymouser

So essentially, we see:

Step 1: Believe in Hell.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit!

Except they're being serious.

-Wayne

Damnit....now i've got that f-ing song stuck in my head.

THX1138 · 07-29-2004, 11:21 AM

Yes!

...

Oh! I thought the title of the thread was "Does belief in hell make you preposterous"!!!

J

07-29-2004, 09:40 AM	#1
Jedi Mind Trick Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indianaplolis Posts: 4,998	Does belief in hell make you prosperous? Read this and tell me what you think. http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...D=90492#Rating

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07-29-2004, 09:43 AM	#2
Sven Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: outraged about the stiffling of free speech here Posts: 10,987	From the article: "Economists searching for reasons why some nations are richer than others have found that those with a wide belief in hell are less corrupt [...]" I wonder how Italy fits into this...

07-29-2004, 09:46 AM	#3
Rhaedas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,440	Previous thread I hope my tax money didn't go to this.

07-29-2004, 09:51 AM	#4
Jedi Mind Trick Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indianaplolis Posts: 4,998	My first thought was: believe in hell -->become prosperous-->Become greedy-->Burn in the hell that led to your greed. Safer for the prosperous to not believe in hell don't you think? I wonder who the “Economists�? are.

07-29-2004, 09:55 AM	#6
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Another previous thread: http://www.iidb.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=93090

07-29-2004, 10:43 AM	#7
Ojuice5001 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: A city in Florida that I love Posts: 3,416	This sounds like a pet theory of Max Weber's. Weber said that capitalism arose because of Calvinism. No one, including the Calvinists, liked the idea that anyone could be predestined for hell. So they wanted some kind of indicator that would reassure them that they were on God's good side, and like so many other problems, one good answer was money. This motivated them to work hard for riches. And once they had their money, they didn't go in for buying luxuries (which were morally suspect), or sharing it with the poor (who God had probably predestined for their fate). So they reinvested it, laying the foundation for capitalism. So one way to interpret this is to recognize that fear is a major driving force in human psychology. It contributes to all kinds of endeavors. Worshipping God(s), who exert considerable control over people's fates, is one of them. And much seeking after money is also motivated by a fear of financial insecurity, a more pragmatic motive than the stereotypical desire for a six-bedroom house or whatever your status symbol of choice is. There are reasons other than fear for seeking both God(s) and money, but fear certainly plays a role.

07-29-2004, 11:06 AM	#8
graymouser Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Collingswood, NJ Posts: 1,259	So essentially, we see: Step 1: Believe in Hell. Step 2: ??? Step 3: Profit! Except they're being serious. -Wayne

07-29-2004, 11:21 AM	#10
THX1138 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lousyana (but I'd rather be in New Zealand!) Posts: 944	Yes! ... Oh! I thought the title of the thread was "Does belief in hell make you preposterous"!!! J

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