Max Weber versus Karl Marx

A. Weber

Protestantism (particularly Calvinism) was a significant force in the formation of capitalism

Religious self-interest as well as economic self-interest can motivate individuals

Capitalism requires a pool of individuals with personal characteristics necessary to serve as entrepreneurs (individualistic orientation, belief in the virtues of hard work and simplicity of lifestyle)

B. Marx

Economic status is the principal determining factor in all behavior

Beliefs and values are the result of economic forces

Religion serves to justify and sacralize current social arrangements

Religion serves as “false consciousness” and an “opiate”

C. Evidence in support of Weber

Lutheranism

Taught that eternal salvation could be attained by serving God through holy orders but also by any form of work that served as a means of expressing one’s faith

Calvinism

Emphasized not only industriousness but also asceticism and delayed gratification

Defined poverty as a product of laziness

Taught that everyone is called to glorify God and to work for the creation of a Divine Kingdom on earth.

Produced a very strong this wordly orientation

Later Calvinists (Puritans) suggested that socioeconomic status was an indication of spiritual status
 

Colonialism (influx of capital) and advances in technology fueled capitalism
Jewish and Catholic bankers fueled capitalism
Luther opposed individualism, laissez faire policies, and usury
Calvinists became Calvinists because these beliefs sacralized values and behaviors the already held

E. Gerhard Lenski’s study  – Protestant, Catholic, Jew (1963)

Comparison of Protestants, Catholics, and Jews in Detroit

Catholics more likely to respond to the importance of a job in terms of security and short work hours while Protestants more likely to respond in terms of feeling work is important and provides a sense of accomplishment

Protestants somewhat more opposed to installment buying

Offspring of devout Protestants more socially mobile than nominal members

Offspring of active Catholics more downwardly mobile than nominal Catholics

Relationships held across social class

F. The Contemporary Situation

Protestant-Catholic status differences have narrowed

Protestants and Catholic vary significantly in social status

Rational pursuit of wealth has become a component of the general culture

A.   There is a strong correlation between social class and denominational affiliation. Possible explanations.

1. Protestant Ethic Explanation -- The belief system of some denominations may enhance members' likelihood of worldly success

2. Social Affinity – People choose a religious affiliation that fits their socioeconomic position or lifestyle

3. Social Mobility -- Changes in social status are followed by changes in religious affiliation

4. History and Ethnicity -- The class orientation of various denominations reflects the timing of ethnic migration to the United States

REPORTED RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
OF INDIVIDUALS IN WHO'S WHO

                                                             1930-1931       1992-1993

PROTESTANT
ESTABLISHMENT

Episcopalian                                                21.94          18.04

Presbyterian                                                20.31          13.91

Congregationalist/UCC                               11.29            3.19

OTHER ELITE

Unitarian-Universalis                                    5.98            2.39

Quaker                                                           1.09             .65

CATHOLIC                                                   4.45          23.12

JEW                                                                1.31         12.32

OTHER PROTESTANT

Baptist                                                            8.97           4.71

Disciples of Christ                                         2.05             .35

Lutheran                                                        2.41            6.01

Methodist                                                    14.50            9.57

Reformed                                                      1.00              .36

OTHER

Mormon                                                           .39           1.52

Christian Science                                             .69             .22

ALL OTHERS                                               3.62           3.63

NO AFFILIATION LISTED                     43.86          65.66

POWER ELITE DENOMINATIONAL REPRESENTATION

                                                                      1930-1931       1992-1993

PROTESTANT ESTABLISHMENT

Episcopalian                                                         7.87           7.41

Presbyterian                                                         3.60           2.82

Congregationalist/UC                                          4.49           2.57

OTHER ELITE

Unitarian-Universalist                                       18.24           5.11

Quaker                                                                 3.87           1.30

CATHOLIC                                                          .15              .92

JEW                                                                      .88             5.17

OTHER PROTESTANT

Baptist                                                                   .46             .22

Disciples of Christ                                                 .69             .34

Lutheran                                                                .24             .79

Methodist                                                              .82           1.04

Reformed                                                              .48            .88

OTHER

Mormon                                                                 .50            .54

Christian Science                                                 1.96           2.09

ALL OTHERS                                                       .38             .15

                                                                      1930-1931       1992-1993

PROTESTANT ESTABLISHMENT

Episcopalian                                                        5.59               6.44

Presbyterian                                                        3.23               2.62

Congregationalist/UCC                                       6.20               2.53

OTHER ELITE

Unitarian-Universalist                                        21.62          14.81

Quaker                                                                  5.09          12.70

CATHOLIC                                                            .12              .74

JEW                                                                         .66            7.23

OTHER PROTESTANT

Baptist                                                                      .66            .22

Disciples of Christ                                                   .65            .32

Lutheran                                                                   .37            .90

Methodist                                                                 .91            .82

Reformed                                                                 .81            .84

OTHER

Mormon                                                                   .25            .87

Christian Science                                                   1.22             --

ALL OTHERS                                                         .71            .23

WHAT IS THE BIBLE?

CLASS DIFFERENCES

Lower status theodicies

Tend to emphasize despair, escape.
God is comforter, protector, savior.
Sin is a state of being
Emphasis on rules, obedience, conformity

Upper status theodicies

Tend to emphasize good fortune, prosperity as a sign of blessing or favor.

God is energetic activity and same productive activity is expected from humans

Sins are specific actions or personal characteristics

Emphasis on individual freedom, creativity, critical thinking,independence

Eschatology  – Belief system explaining how and when ultimate victory over suffering and death will commence in the future

Lower status eschatologies

Tend to be otherworldly (reality of this world is denied except as a testing ground)

Only faithful will reach heaven

Tend to be millennial (transformation of the world will be sudden and inaugurated by supernatural powers, collective, terrestrial, imminent, total, supernatural)

Postmillennial  – Savior will come after humans have prepared the way

Premillennial  – God will intervene unilaterallyin human history in response to human sinfulness

Upper status eschatologies

Tend to be progressive (God and humans will work gotether to attain perfection)

God’s plan is an ever more humane, just, Godly kingdom on earth)

Top Rank                      Middle Rank                                        Bottom Rank

Unitarian-Universalists Mormons                                    White Southern Baptists

Jews                              No religious preference                      Adventists

Episcopalians              Christian Scientists                              Nazarenes

Presbyterians               Methodists                                           Assemblies of God

United Church               Catholics                                             Jehovah's Witnesses
of Christ
                                       Lutherans                                            Black Northern Baptists

                                       Misc. Evangelicals/                             Misc. Penacostals/
                                       Fundamentalists                                  Holiness

                                      Christians                                             Churches of God
                                      (Disciples of Christ)

                                     White Northern Baptists                      Black Southern Baptists

                                      Churches of Christ

                                      Reformed