Yes, consumerism is toxic and being overly concerned about market economies can lead to soul sickness. I have no quibble with that. But the analogy to religion only goes so far. Not every unhealthy obsession is a belief system.

The challenge is to help people understand how the excesses of capitalism are diametrically opposed to the values of the Gospel. Pope Francis consistently beats that drum, but the mixed messages that come from the evangelical right (the proponents of the so-called 'prosperity Gospel') and the members of the USCCB with their fat diocesan investment portfolios don't exactly help.