The Separation of Church and Business?

Most of us have heard the ongoing arguments about the separation of church and state. The founding fathers knew that this essential ingredient would be necessary in order to prevent the re-creation of the oppression they and their families had experienced at the hand of the Aristocracy of England. In the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution it states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” This argument has allowed many new churches to be formed for varied reasons the United States. Originating from 2 Orthodox divisions of Christianity over 256 sects of Protestantism and have grown out of the respect for the term, “religious freedom.” But what about the separation of church and business?

In 1904 Max Weber, a German economist and sociologist began a series of essays entitled, “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.” He proposed that capitalism evolved when the Protestant ethic influenced large numbers of people to engage in work in the secular world. He further proposes that the Protestant Ethic was a force behind the mass action that influenced the development of capitalism. This idea is known as “The Weber Thesis” (source: Wikipedia). In his treatise Weber quotes the ethical writings of Benjamin Franklin to describe the “spirit of capitalism” which is based on individual greed, moral perpetuity and sometimes moral turpitude. Weber found a paradox in the Protestant work ethic. On one hand congregation members were religiously compelled to follow secular vocations to accumulate money. On the other hand, the spending of money inappropriately such as the purchasing of luxuries and donations to the poor, only furthered one’s journey towards either greed or dependency. Weber traces the union of the “spirit of capitalism” back to the Protestant Reformation.

Accepting Weber’s hypothesis, we can see a definite link between capitalism and established religion. After all, the early settlers of this country were Protestants. They had to leave their homes, travel a great journey and survive in a new world with what they called “savages.” Fortunately, for them, the true natives of this country respected the land and all creatures. Problems only occurred when certain groups tried to impose their belief systems upon the natives. As capitalism and business grew, religion became inextricably tied with business. Before the modern day practice of conducting business on golf courses, church members would only do business with other church members. The word “religion” comes from the Latin word “religio” (reverence for God) and “religionem” (inheritance of God), which means a binding together of people with common beliefs who have left behind their old ways and have developed new and common ways of approaching life. Remember, God doesn’t have religion. Man does.

Today we see many TV and community churches continually asking for money to support the “ministry.” As we all know, money is one of the key ingredients in “spreading the word” of whomever you perceive is extending the message that appeals to you. How do we truly know who is on the up and up? It’s simple. If a church or pastor’s message is more on the accumulation of “financial gifts” more than on the helping of souls that should be a clear indication as to their motives. Many churches have become businesses and treat their constituents as laborers for their greater good. Some businesses have become churches and are in the pockets everyday of their constituency. Remember, your tithe doesn’t have to be just to a church. If you give financially to help others in any way, you are spreading the wealth of God. This is not socialism, it is giving. There is a difference. Don’t let those who have more than enough convince you that you must give according to their rules. Respect man’s laws, but truly follow God’s laws.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com.