Protestantism

• capitalism emerged in protestant rather than catholic societies
• values of protestant religion led to emergence of capitalism in the 17th century
• protestant religion encouraged silent reflection, introspection and prayer and for people to find god for themselves and unintentionally encouraged protestants to adopt a more individualistic attitude to their religion by seeking their own interpretations of it
• Catholicism: encouraged more conservative values and was thus resistant to such changes, the catholic church has a top down structure, ultimate power to interpret doctrines lies with the Pope and people are not encouraged to interpret scripture for themselves
• Weber's theory as to why capitalism first emerged in protestant societies was that the more individualistic ethos laid foundations for individual freedom and it was more acceptable to challenge top down interpretations of Christian doctrine