I will analyze these claims later. But from a rational standpoint, this perspective must be soundly rebuked. The most important form of progress is economic progress, which raises the longevity, health and welfare of all. Thanks to the widespread production of material goods and the advances of science and technology, we have doubled our lifespan, made health care available to all, made heat, power, communications, and all sorts of conveniences available to all, and been given more and more time for leisure and spiritual pursuits.
Ultimately, one cannot live without valuing the material world to some extent. Everyone is a consumer. Everyone is a trader, even if only in a social way. As most of us live in relatively free societies, we are free to interact with other people as we see fit. We must all value the consumption of material goods, whatever our ideology on the subject.
Some people do sacrifice some of their material needs for a "higher" goal. If they do not make it religious rhetoric, I consider that to be a personal decision. People are free to choose the way they want to live, as long as they do not obstruct the freedom of other people to do the same.
But when religious people, be they Christians, Islamists, Buddhists, or others, use their religion as political activism and preach anti-globalization, anti-progress rhetoric, they are gravely irresponsible. They overstep the bounds of personal belief and use intimidation against rational values. Preaching compassion is hollow if one does not promote the compassionate ideology of progress and liberation from material needs.
The commodification of resources has brought about a general improvement of life for all. Greed has pushed people towards more and more efficient use of these resources. Globalism has permitted this efficiency to apply on a global scale and to push back the obscurantism and traditionalism of local cultures and has helped make the Earth an equal economic playing field.
Of course, behaviorist excuses have always been presented to argue against freedom of thought, and religious fanatics are no exception. For instance, they will use unsupported sociological assertions such as "consumerism makes people shallow" or "materialism turns people away from spiritual matters" to justify their totalitarian ideologies.
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