Edit to add my opinion so I’m not just replying “I agree” to 90% of comments. I think it should be legal, properly regulated, taxed and viewed as a profession. I haven’t personally engaged in it but I have no moral objection to it. I do hate the common sentiment that it was the individual’s “only option” though.
Wasn’t a core philosophy of Calvinists basically “god loves capitalism” (before the word was really established)?
this is a fascinating question I don’t have time to delve deeper into atm but a little googling:
“Calvin increasingly conceived of a state where the rulers were limited in order to ensure protection of religion.”
“Calvin argued for moderation in business ethics. Lending and profit-making should be permitted only insofar as they were useful, never simply to build personal wealth.”
https://reflections.yale.edu/article/money-and-morals-after-crash/calvinism-and-capitalism-together-again
but Calvin himself is entwined with capitalism
https://daily.jstor.org/john-calvin-religious-reformer-influenced-capitalism/
“Calvin’s theological beliefs, based upon his study of the Bible, captured adherents from around the Christian world as Geneva became a center of Protestant thought. He became known as a proponent of predestination, the belief that God’s rewards for humans have already been selected. It was later frequently invoked by wealthy Christians to justify their opulence as part of God’s plan that should not be disturbed by revolutions or high taxes. But Bouwsma argues that is a misinterpretation of what is a subtle theological doctrine about God’s mercy for believers.”
I suspect this is more capitalists embracing calvinism because the think it fits their desires but like most of religion, it’s people using a higher power to justify their wealth lol.