Christianity provided more than a basis for criticism of capitalism—it helped forge an alternative that kept what John Paul II called "the circle of exchange" going. In the aftermath of World War II, democratic capitalism in Europe appeared to have failed, leaving communism as its likely successor—until, that is, Christian statesmen like Konrad Adenauer of Germany created an alternative to amoral capitalism and socialism. It was called Christian democracy, and it saved Western Europe from communism.
Closer to home, there are companies like ServiceMaster and Herman Miller, which are run explicitly on Christian principles and have proven that a concern for your employees' dignity is not incompatible with making a profit.
Christianity has shown that capitalism can be the servant of justice, which is why I am so disturbed at Circuit City's actions. It is yet another reminder of Christianity's diminished cultural influence, which leaves people as disposable commodities and dehumanized. This is a sober reminder of why restoring Christian influence is so urgent.
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For further reading and information:
Mike Carney, "Circuit City Fires Thousands after Deciding They Earn Too Much Money," On Deadline blog, USA Today, 29 March 2007.
Stephanie Armour, "Circuit City's Plan to Fire 3,400 Will Have Ripple Effects ," USA Today, 28 March 2007.
David Carr, "Thousands Are Laid Off at Circuit City. What's New ?" New York Times, 2 April 2007.
Stu Bykofsky, "Boycott Short-Circuit City," Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 April 2007.
Eve Tahmincioglu, "Circuit City: Bold Strategy or Black Eye?" MSNBC, 29 March 2007.
Michael Novak,Business as a Calling: Work and the Examined Life (Free Press, 1996).
BreakPoint Commentary No. 061227, "Weber the Friendly Geist: Christianity and the Rise of Capitalism."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030716, "Christianity and Capitalism: Using Business to Reach Our World."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030717, "Taking Care of Business: Virtue in the Boardroom."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030718, "Believers in Business: Apologetics for a Free-Market Society."
BreakPoint Commentary No. 020415, "Sharks, Stools, and Secularism: Can We Prevent Another Enron?""
BreakPoint Commentary No. 940601, "Is Capitalism Christian?: The Revolutionary Michael Novak."
Chuck Colson
Chuck Colson was the Chief Counsel for Richard Nixon and served time in prison for Watergate-related charges. In 1976, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, which, in collaboration with churches of all confessions and denominations, has become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, crime victims, and their families.
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