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Originally Posted by prometeus  I am not sure I can see "a market in religion" or competing religious entities. While I agree that it may look that way, I also can not see how "free market" theory can be applied to religion. |
But I'm not applying “free market” theory. That would suggest that firms (i.e. churches) would react to consumer demands (i.e. provide tailor made worshiping opportunities). I'm really referring to economic psychology and noting the problems generated by the specific nature of religion.
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Those who "shop around" for religion are not what I call religious.
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I certainly agree that there is little “shopping around”, as the worshiper finds the product most suited to their preferences. Instead, we have two environments: an authoritarian “state church” or the illusion of choice. If you live in the first extreme there is no need to justify behaviour. You expect the church to come out with irrational demands and react accordingly. Thus, the catholic church is predicted to be anti-abortion and you can simply ignore it. However, if there is the illusion of choice then there is a need to justify the “investments” you make. I propose that justification process will encourage more blinkered “the church is always right” behaviour. Any disagreement with the church will encourage a dissonance, with the individual worrying over whether their investment is going to be lost. Thus, it is 'choice' that ironically encourages more extreme perceptions about abortion as individuals conform to strict church dictates.