Examining how the evolution of capitalism has transformed religious practices and community values in contemporary society
Religion has remained one of the main institutions of society from the very beginning. It has remained a functional prerequisite in society. It was a key institution in allocating roles and status and served as a social control mechanism before the period of modernization in Europe and later in other parts of the world.
Modernization in Europe brought ideas such as liberty, equality, justice, empiricism, logic, and enlightenment, with the Industrial Revolution emerging as a dominant force in society. Religion was replaced by a central authority with a private/basic authority for individuals. The father of sociology referred to this modernity stage as the Positive Stage or Scientific Stage. Science took a central place in society. Over time, science introduced the idea of the engine to the world, leading to the Industrial Revolution, especially in England.
This Industrial Revolution led to the development of a new system called capitalism, as defined by Karl Marx. Later, capitalism became a dominant force in society and remained so. Marx referred to it as the superstructure, while other institutions such as family, marriage, kinship, religion, and the political system formed the basic structure of society. It is the superstructure that influences and dominates the basic structure of society.
Capitalist ideology gained central importance in society after modernity in Europe and then spread across the world through various means. The primary aim of capitalist ideology is profit maximization. To achieve this, capitalists initiated international business models and adopted various strategies to expand globally. As a result, no institution of society has remained unaffected by capitalism.
For instance, the joint family system transformed into the nuclear family system due to capitalism’s impact, particularly through employment opportunities. This shift affected social roles and, ultimately, the process of socialization, leading to new problems such as child abuse and elderly neglect. Many elderly parents and children lack caregivers, leading to alienation in every society. People no longer have time to spend with their families, as everyone is occupied with work and living within a calculated, time-bound routine.
Max Weber referred to this phenomenon as the “iron cage,” while Karl Marx had already predicted this alienation at the onset of capitalism. Marx argued that people would become alienated from the products they produce, from the production process, from themselves, and from their own species. This alienation has impacted every institution of society. Capitalists have used institutions for their own benefit and profit maximization, a reality we are witnessing today.
Despite a majority of people living above the poverty line, dissatisfaction remains prevalent. Inflation is a major factor, but capitalism has created a culture of “more and more,” making people constantly strive for excessive material gain. Capitalism has not directly infiltrated every institution but has done so through the spread of materialistic values.
Capitalism has also significantly influenced religion, particularly after the Industrial Revolution in England. As capitalism emerged as a dominant force, it replaced religion as the central authority in society. While capitalism has introduced positive changes such as employment, improved living standards, and competition, its negative impact—particularly materialism—has been far more profound.
Materialism has penetrated people’s minds and dominated the institutions of society. In sociological terms, this process is called institutionalization—where society begins to accept materialism as a norm. Through materialism, capitalism has infiltrated every religion. In today’s postmodern society, religion is often used as a commercial tool for generating profit. This transformation is difficult for society to recognize, as it operates in a hidden manner. Marx was the first to observe this phenomenon in European society, followed by his followers and scholars who studied and understood his theories.
Recently, an incident in Kashmir shocked society, leading individuals to discuss its causes and consequences from various perspectives. However, these perspectives and organizations often represent self-interests rather than an objective analysis of the issue. If these groups were not driven by organizational interests, they would unite under a common ideology, especially given the immense damage their divisions have caused to society.
Many people fail to recognize the hidden structural forces that influence them directly or indirectly. These forces function as an invisible power in society. Émile Durkheim referred to this as “sui generis”, meaning an independent reality beyond individual control. Understanding this capitalist trap is nearly impossible for those with only religious knowledge. Religious scholars often assume that people engage in materialistic behaviors consciously, but in reality, a system is at work that creates social pressure compelling individuals to act in certain ways.
Capitalists have commodified religion to maximize profit, altering its original form through internal and external influences. Just as other institutions have evolved, religion has also undergone transformation. In the postmodern era, no institution retains its original essence, leading to recurring societal crises. However, there are still individuals in society who uphold religious principles and work towards humanitarian causes to foster social harmony through religion.
The writer is a PhD scholar in Sociology
Adil Hussain Bhat
ad********@***il.com