A New Religion that Will Bring You to Your Knees

Have you ever noticed how religions have evolved throughout human history?

In?The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm outlines a captivating timeline of religious evolution, unlike any I've encountered before.

This reshaped my perspective on how humanity has worshipped over the ages.

The Evolution of Worship

In the earliest days, primitive humans saw themselves as inseparable from nature. Their gods reflected their dependence on the natural world. Tribes that relied on hunting, for example, worshipped animal deities—praying to them for survival and venerating their images as sacred symbols of power.

As humanity advanced beyond the Stone Age, things began to change. With the advent of agriculture and metallurgy, people no longer relied solely on nature’s mercy. Instead, they started shaping their environment. Gods, too, took on new forms—idols made of clay, silver, and gold.

The objects humans created became imbued with mystical significance. Think of the golden fertility idol in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark—a perfect example of this shift.

Over time, humankind’s understanding of divinity evolved again. No longer content to worship mere objects, people began to imagine gods in their own image. The Greek, Roman, and Norse pantheons exemplified this shift—deities who looked and acted like humans, complete with ambitions, rivalries, and flaws.

?This stage reflected a growing belief that humanity itself was the most dignified force in the universe.

The Rise of Monotheism

In more recent history, the idea of a singular, all-powerful god emerged. Fromm suggests that monotheism first emphasized a matriarchal phase—one in which God’s love was unconditional and treated all people as equals.

However, over time, many monotheistic traditions shifted to a patriarchal model, where divine love became conditional—granted only to those who followed strict laws and principles.

Fromm proposes that monotheism represents the final evolution of religious thought. But is it possible that something new is emerging? Could a modern religion be forming right before our eyes—one that incorporates elements of the past while adapting to the present? I believe the answer is yes.

The New Religion: Worshipping the Market

A new belief system has taken root, one that transcends traditional places of worship. It allows followers to continue attending their churches, mosques, temples, or synagogues while secretly demanding their ultimate devotion.

This new religion blends humanity’s ancient instinct to revere its own creations with a patriarchal authority that rewards devotion and punishes the unfaithful. It has its own sacred texts, high priests, and even cable networks spreading its message. It has converted leaders in the halls of power across the globe and enforces strict orthodoxy, casting out heretics who dare question its authority.

This new faith is free-market capitalism, and its supreme deity is the Market.

Capitalism: Science or Religion?

Is this comparison too extreme? Perhaps. But let’s take a closer look at how free-market capitalism mirrors traditional religion. We’ll also examine where it diverges from true science and why, despite its claims to rationality, it often demands unquestioning faith.

Most importantly, we must explore how modern capitalism conflicts with the core values of the world’s great religious traditions—especially, and most ironically, Christianity.

After all, Jesus didn’t preach about profit margins.