Capitalist Solutions

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Only Capitalism Makes True Spirituality Possible

by Simon Patkin

Those who seek spirituality should reject religion and choose secularism

With the recent change of pope there have been calls for more spirituality within Hong Kong and China. Indeed we often hear church leaders condemning Hong Kong’s capitalist way of life for being devoid of any spirituality. But let’s ask, what does spirituality actually mean?

Christians claim spirituality means dedicating one’s life to a higher power above all else in the hope of joining it in some kind of afterlife. Devotees pray, confess, sing hymns and listen to sermons for the fuel necessary to stay on track. In this context spirituality can be described as reverence for a Christian god above even family and friends as the moral standard of value, making it the central part of their life. Even here, some also argue that faith in Jesus can also lead to Earthly joy.

But does Christianity really allow happiness on Earth? For example Augustine (who the current pope, Joseph Ratzinger holds in high esteem) advocated being wretched in this world for alleged happiness in the next.

Indeed, those who value life on Earth as the standard of value might ask if this Augustinian view is both impractical and immoral. Augustinian’s ideas can be seen throughout the Dark Ages where saints drank dirty water or starved for three days a week and where justice was burning witches at the stake or making Galileo confess for his sin of scientific discovery. Artistically, Christian spirituality was the Vesperbild Pieta with a wretched emaciated Christ in the arms of a horrified Mary. Today Augustine’s philosophy exists in Mel Gibson’s Passion showing a bloodied Christ being slowly tortured to death on the cross or Terry Schiavo who was held in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years. They present a horrific view of man, detached from any worldly values. If one ever successfully lived this Augustinian lifestyle, Ratzinger would condemn them for any pride they might feel, because pride itself is considered a sin.

However, men do need spirituality, but this should not mean cowering before a cross or turning to new age mystics in exasperation at the church’s fairy tales. On a secular level, spirituality should mean reverence for the very values that the church seeks to condemn. Instead of a Christian god, that something higher can be principled dedication to living a happy life on this Earth.

For example, just as religion has hymns, sermons, prayer and art so secular spirituality can be fueled through an uplifting movie or ballet performance, a great song on the radio or a symphony, a stirring speech imploring each member of the audience to reach for the best within themselves or quiet contemplative meditation. How many people feel great exhilaration in watching Michael Jordan slam-dunk a stadium shattering goal or David Beckham curving a power shot into the back of the net? These Earthly heroes provide spiritual inspiration for others to do well in their lives too.

Spirituality means that a person has knowledge that what they are doing is not only good for them but also morally correct. That they are working hard to provide the earthly values necessary for their survival on this Earth, such as earning the money necessary to pay for their food, clothing, shelter and luxuries in life. Secular spirituality through a strong work ethic helps a person feel pride in success and achievement, whether it is a scientist buying jewelry for his wife after discovering a new compound or a businessman celebrating a new contract by buying himself a new car. For both it is the secular reward that helps give spiritual and material meaning to their hard work. And it is not so much the size of each reward but the symbols that these rewards represent to that individual.

To this end if we want to have proper spirituality in this world we need more not less materialism and we need an earthly philosophical system that best enables productive individuals to achieve and keep these rewards within this lifetime. That is where true spirituality can be found.

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