I've been thinking a lot about how our economic system—capitalism—is also a religion. It is a surrogate parent. A mother and a father.

We are indoctrinated into capitalism before we are even born. Everything we are taught is meant to form us into willing participants in its rituals and practices.

The consequences for defecting from the doctrine of capitalism? For not devotedly following its precepts? For speaking against its authority?

A parent is meant to provide for their child. To hold some wisdom and experience in the ways of the world that leads to the child getting their needs met...

Yet, capitalism is a neglectful and narcissistic parent... an abusive parent that demands self sacrifice for its own sake.

And as children of capitalism, like many parents it seeks to make us in the image of itself. It has succeeded in many ways.

We shame and disparage anyone who even appears to have established a life for themselves that is not completely devoted to capitalism. Those who don't take pride in selling their labor and time. Those who refuse to indoctrinate their children into the cult...

We even struggle to imagine identities that aren't rooted in how well we perform and participate in capitalism. Our imaginations are even colonized by capitalism. Our capacity for and definitions of love, our hopes for the future...all colonized by the cult of capitalism.