Capitalism - the Ultimate Religion

[TheDarkestOfAngels]

But capitalism is only an economic system in the way that our daily meals are only a source of energy. There is a vast cultural and culinary infrastructure, and a vast range of emotional reactions to them - and without them, we could soon sink into chaos. The fact that capitalism is an economic system doesn't prevent it from being a social and political system, or a regulator of all our interactions. As Marx put it, "The bourgeoisie cannot exist without constantly revolutionising the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society."

Eh... This is assinine. Yes, an economic system is an important one and it determines a great deal of things in terms of how we live our daily lives. That's how society and economic systems work.
But you've failed to make any case for an economic system being a religion. You've only made the case of economic systems being important to the daily life of the citizens who live in these economic systmes.
A religion has a specific definition that I provided and you have not provided any satisfactory explaination as to how Capitalism is a religion in any sense of the term. You've only highlighted its importance and stated (and I'm paraphrasing here) that because it's important it must be a religion.
If I lived in an ideal communist society with a democratically elected government that hasn't been corrupted (somehow) then that doesn't mean I worship the government or the system that defines my life in much the same way that living in a capitalist society doesn't mean I worship the dollar like christians worship god or jesus. (Although some particularly greedy capitalists might.) Either way, it doesn't provide any of the essential points to define an economic system as a religion.

I apologise if I gave the impression I did not know what capitalism is. I have since posted more on this but by all means come back to me if you think I need to provide better explanations. Capitalism clearly is the economic system (which, being so dominant, extends to all human relations) characterised by the formation and augmentation of capital. Religion is a theistic system of thought, activity and ideas. My argument is that because capital has assumed God-like status, capitalism has become a religion - the ultimate, all-embracing, dominant one.

Capitalism or any economic system doesn't extend to all human relations. It's pertinent to many kinds of human relations but saying that ALL human relations are affected by an economic system is a hyperbole.

re·li·gion   /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Show Spelled
[ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA

–noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic . religious rites.
8. Archaic . strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

cap·i·tal·ism   /ˈkæpɪtlˌɪzəm/ Show Spelled
[kap-i-tl-iz-uhm] Show IPA

–noun
an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

As you'll no doubt notice, they are completely different in definition. There is no overlap. The best arguement you have is that people can devote themselves to capitalism like it was a religion, but that does not qualify capitalism as a religion.

Well I'm aware of the phrase tin-foil hat conspiracy. Could you elaborate on how you think it relates to my paragraph quoted here, I see no connection at all.

No surprise there.
Just as with 9/11 Truthers, Birthers, and a few other movements that have cropped up since '09 and many before, your beliefs reek of people doing things behind closed doors and secret wheelings and dealings for a fundemental purpose that only you seem to notice.