Essay Religious Study

Essay Religious Study Essay Religious Study Max Weber, the German Philosopher and an author, in his book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, theorizes the relationship between the Protestantism and the emergence of capitalism. Weber argues that the religious ideologies of group such as the Calvinist Protestantism paved the way for the rise of the modern capitalism. According to Weber, the two significant theological differences between the Protestant Reformation and the Roman Catholic Church that which brought changes in people’s belief during the 16th century were concerning the value of works and ideas of vocation. In Catholicism, the ideas of value of works require one to perform good work in order to attain salvation. In contrast, Weber found motivation in radical form of Protestantism - Calvinism - and its doctrine of predestination. Calvinist Protestants believe that God has already chosen each person for either eternal salvation or for eternal damnation. Therefore, if a person performed good deeds and were successful it was simply because they were predestined. Unlike in the Catholic practice in which one may also earn salvation through a monastic lifestyle and performing good work for others, Calvinist doctrine of predestination stated that the salvation could not be earned and there was no need of a mediator because of the preor dained fact of being saved or dammed. Weber theorizes that people could make sure, if they were among the elect through worldly activities. Weber interpreted these worldly activities as one being successful at whatever they do. The Calvinist emphasized that for a person to be successful they must invest, make profit, and reinvest all of the profit while living a frugal life. For example, a fruit vendor he re invests his profits back into his business and he was successful in his business, therefore he was chosen for salvation. However, the overall objective for an individual was to achieve the inner satisfaction and assurance that he/she is the one chosen for salvation. Weber argued that