A short history of economics and religion

Another good run down to the river, with  dawn breaking over the city. Glasgow is a beautiful city, albeit one built on the profits of slave-fuelled cotton, tobacco, and sugar trading in the 18^th & 19^th centuries.

Slavery and colonisation has been with us at least since the Egyptians of 4000BC, as dominant societies have vied with each other to live beyond their means. Even now, despite being universally illegal, there are apparently an estimated 12-25 million people being forcibly exploited – ie in slavery (ref). Overt colonisation is being replaced by globalised free trading, but the model is still based on the insane myth that we all should aspire to economic growth.

Throughout history the message of many religions has often been “never mind your miserable life here & now – help the church and you will be rewarded in heaven”. Now, with consumerism as a prevailing religion, the message seems to be changing to “never mind what misery you are causing elsewhere – buy into the myth and you will be rewarded with an i-pad”.