Why do many christians in America think that previous generations were more pure and "god-like" than today's?

Question

Do you realize what kinds of things went on during colonial American times? Did you know that it was widely acceptable for men to have mistresses, but if his wife commited adultery, she could be flogged? Did you know that premarital sex and extramarital sex was common? Did you know that is was common for women to get remarried as early as a week after her husband died? Did you know that it was ok to burn/drown someone because you thought they are a witch? Did you know that it was acceptable for white people to own slaves? Did you know that prostitutes were relatively common?

Were does the misconception that we are somehow worse than previous generations come from?

Answer 1

Because us old farts do such a good job of brainwashing you youngsters. We're just too crafty for you, especially since we can openly plot against you out loud while you're wearing those ipod thingies.

Answer 2

I think there are three reasons for that:

1 to make a stronger moral appeal. If those people could be good, then so can you! Deploring current morals is pointless if you don't also claim that it used to be better.

2 to complain about young people. Old people tend to adore their own forefathers, so they can strengthen their loathing of the young with the recognition of some sort of historical trend. even Plato talked about "young people these days".

3 as a sign that the Apocalypse is coming. Before the Rapture the amount of sins is obviously going to increase.

(I am not a Christian nor an American)

Answer 3

Not this Catholic. As our understanding of scripture develops we become more attuned to it's true meaning and we accelerate our personal and collective spiritual development. I can only presume to speak as one single Catholic,but I think my people are vastly more enlightened in their understanding of Christ than at any other time. Those old interpretations from 500 or 1000 years make a person cringe. But everything evolves,including theology. It's far better informed and humane today than ever before. I like all the trends established by Vatican II,more than anything the basic spirit of searching out new ways of looking at scripture as applied to the modern world and it's concerns. A thousand years ago I would have been terrified of the Church. In fact,I probably would have fled it's power by migrating to an Islamic nation.

Answer 4

Because everything that used to be kept silent/private is out in the open now & with the populatin being much larger now, more is seen & heard of. God intended us to learn from our mistakes/sins as well as the mistakes/sins of our ancestors, using our experience to make things better/right for future generations & asking for His forgiveness during our trials & errors, in admission of our weakness's. It has taken a long time but slavery has been abolished, we attempt to have fair trials for the accused, in order to punish only the guilty & women have established their equal rights so they no longer live under the double standards of earlier generation men. Women used to remarry within days/weeks after their husbands deaths because a wife/mother/home maker was totally dependant upon a mans support, including manly labor around the homestead, had no experience of her own, working outside the home, so a fast remarriage was more honorable than seeking unfavorable work outside the home, which would also be a great distance to travel without todays reliable transportation. Unfortunately, todays generation has allowed other issues, such as premarital & extramearital sex, get out of control rather than enforce/instill the values of monogomy & fidelity in their children, thus the reason for teen pregnancy, std's & divorces. Today, computers, tv, lack of supervision & late curfews expose children to subjects that used to be kept within the family walls, thus contributing to children going astray or out of control & becoming adults in the chain of un-godly behaviour.

Answer 5

Some people actually think that life in the past was like "Leave it to Beaver" in the 50's or "Little House on the Prairie" in the 1800's. Those sanitized TV shows were mostly fantasy mixed with small doses of real life. The people that think these images are real and ideal ignore the uglier parts of history, and then look around and feel like our world today is horrible and evil. Of all times to live in history, I think I'm very lucky to live nowadays, where I can have the freedom to live life my own way as long as I don't hurt others. I also like the air conditioning and indoor plumbing. Anyway, I don't mind if others have an idealized view of the past, as long as they don't try to change the laws to make me live like how they think June Cleaver would.

Answer 6

because of false ideals that are accepted in this day and age. Pretty much the same things going on then are going on now except now more people talk about it... and more people are allowed to have an opinion without being punished

Everyone has premarital sex
75% of relationships experience cheating
People are killing their husbands instead of waiting for them to die
Women were only seen as "baby-makers" and not too much more, they were often not educated b/c they was no need to write or read if all you are doing is cleaning and cooking.
Prostitutes are still common
People are still killed everyday for their beliefs or their heritage
and there are alot of countries that still have "slaves" they just aren't referred to that way, instead they are "workers"

sooo its still pretty shady, except its more talked about, there wasn't the same kind of media then... and there also weren't people who cared enough to stand up and do anything about their issues and problems...

Answer 7

History is written by the victors, and victors seldom like to cast themselves in a bad light. People who idolize the past identify with the "victor" For example, you seldom find an African American with a nostalgic yearning for Antebellum days in the Deep South or a Native American who celebrates Columbus Day or a Japanese American who wants to vacation on Angel Island. But Southern American like house with columns, Italian Americans like consider themselves the original settlers, and San Franciscans forget most of the city was once Japanese American, all of whom lost their property in WWII.

It's the whole idea of re-writing history to suit the Zeitgeist of the contemporary moment, and every culture is guilty of it.

Answer 8

Beloved, great question! Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of our Father can only be Holy. Our Lord Jesus the Christ surely did truly speak, for which we were not used to, but the message can only be, and is good! It's hard to realize who we are talking to with ears and eyes of flesh ;-) Thank you for this question. Love - D

Answer 9

People romanticize things they did not know about. In the case of christians, they have a tendency to discard historical facts in favor of sterilized revisionisms. Notice how they preach their religion is the true word of the god of Israel, yet it is totally incompatible with the Judaic faith. Even the christian version of god is totally incompatible and considered blasphemous by the people who worship this god and have the original book in the original language (Hebrew... the NT is a mishmash of other stuff added to it). Their lack of will to research anything is astounding.

Answer 10

The media lets us know a lot more about what's going on today than in years back. The divorce rate has climbed, and a lot of people base their opinions on that fact alone. Child abuse and incest are now being reported more than before - now children know that the government cares even if their parents don't.

Answer 11

hahahahaha You have rightly detected one of the worst traits of the human species. It is a form a necrophilia where the dead can do no wrong. Elvis Presley was a fat, drug abusing, child molesting, but talented singer songwriter. I am sure lovers of the KING are preparing a pillory for me for remembering his bad traits.

Joan of Arc is probably the most blatant receiver of selective memory. The Catholic Church could not wait to try her for heresy and witchcraft. Yet, once she was dead, now she is a saint of the same church that burnt her alive.

Churches, especially, like their saints and saviors dead. Jesus would be killed today by the same people that say they worship him now as the Son of God. It would not be crucifixion, but He would be just as dead. God save us from religious people!