How is religion different from any other consumer product on the market?

[Psalm 71]

Each religion competes with other religions, many claim a monopoly on God or Truth.

There are many brands of religion. Protestantism itself has spawned literally thousands of brands through product differentiation.

Religion also competes with all other goods and services available in the market for the time and money of consumers. It's not surprising then that many religions are against the consumption of other consumer goods besides the religion itself.

People use religion to enhance their lifestyle, just like any other product. Many use their association with their particular religious brand in the same way they use the brands of cars and clothing, to form and present a certain self-image.

Like many products, certain religions rely heavily on advertising. Many religions even require or strongly encourage members to advertise to their social network. The techniques that are used are seen in every commercial: this product will take away your worries, give you a feeling of security, strength your relationships, give you more friends, etc. Of course the people who buy the product and have absolute brand loyalty will claim that their product is not only the best, but the only one that will truly satisfy your needs.

Fundamentally, how is religion different from any other consumer product on the market?
So religion is more like an investment product, in that it is made to create a feeling of a secure future (afterlife)?
You pay for the religion through an advertising agreement at least, as well as brand loyality at the exclusion of other brands. That doesn't count as free.

[Wabble Wouzer]

The only real difference is the majority of the benefits of it come after you're dead, for the most part. Given, a funeral home or life insurance would be playing at similar aspects but religion is all about addressing you after you've done and got dead.

[Bill C.]

Most other consumer products do not offer Salvation for Eternal life.

[Chieko]

it's free...it never breaks...and has a guarantee that goes beyond your lifetime....

i wish all consumer products could say the same...

[Fireball]

BELIEFS are not products....cake is a product..

[Mike]

Other manufactures don't threaten you with eternal punishment for not buying into their advertising. ;-)

[Eclectic Heretic]

Only one quibble with your analysis. Most other products come with sort of guarantee, money-back or otherwise. Religion does not.
Blessings on your Journey!

[keniray]

It's free and gives you immortality. That deal defies consumerism doesn't it?

[sirheinsohn]

there is more fraud in religion.

[TONI101]

True religions is not like that. Jesus said his true followers should not charge for any of their services. i.e. preaching, teaching, helping others, etc.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, giving them these orders: As YOU go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ YOU received free, give free. (Matthew 10:5, 7-8)

Revelation tells us that the merchants of the world got rich off of false religion.
(Revelation 18:3) For because of the wine of the anger of her fornication all the nations have fallen victim, and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth became rich due to the power of her shameless luxury.”

False religion will soon be destroyed, and the merchants will mourn.
Revelation 18:11-15) “Also, the traveling merchants of the earth are weeping and mourning over her, because there is no one to buy their full stock anymore, a full stock of gold and silver and precious stone and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet; and everything in scented wood and every sort of ivory object and every sort of object out of most precious wood and of copper and of iron and of marble; also cinnamon and Indian spice and incense and perfumed oil and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and horses and coaches and slaves and human souls. Yes, the fine fruit that your soul desired has departed from you, and all the dainty things and the gorgeous things have perished from you, and never again will people find them. “The traveling merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment and will weep and mourn.

There is a warning to those who hate what is going on in false religion.
(Revelation 18:4-5) And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if YOU do not want to share with her in her sins, and if YOU do not want to receive part of her plagues. For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind.

True Christians have heeded this warning. They have no part in the organizations of the world's religions.