Although I am not in America, your post resonates clearly with me. Here in the UK, Margaret Thatcher told us that there is 'no such thing as society' and a whole generation watched as the values of their parents were systematically eradicated. Gone was respect for self and others, being a good neighbour, saving for a rainy day, and working hard to achieve your goals.
This was all replaced by 'get rich quick schemes' , 'get rich any way you can', 'fame is all that counts', 'tred on anyone in your path' and the twin gods of wealth and fame were the only value in life. Without these, you were of no importance or consequence and were therefore unlovable and would never find happiness.
People took on unrepayable debts to live the 'good life' indulged in all the drugs, alcohol and sex, to belong with the party 'in crowd'. Now, they are paying the price with their addictions, bankruptcies, mental ill health disaffected children and spiritual emptiness.
The children of that generation, face the consequences of the lack of concern for human fellowship and solidarity. Civil rights are significantly eroded and povery is rife. The illnesses of povery eradicated in the 50s and 60s are back again to haunt a demoralised generation who see no prospects of long term employment or housing to sustain even a one child family.
It is a sad indictment on mankind that they allowed the collusion between politicians and the media to so corrupt them!
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I think it's a global phenomenon- driven by affluence (or the illusion of affluence). People trying to outdo their neighbors whether with material goods, sex or anything else. Morality is a thing of the past (unless we get off our collective asses and do something). For example, in the US, porn makes more money than all professional sports combined!
That's the problem though isn't it, the collective asses are waiting for a saviour. They never learned, because nobody bothered teaching them, to stand up in their own power. They think it is governments that have power, failing to see that we only loan politicians the power, our power and we can take it back any time we want.
I wrote an article a long time ago called The Failure of Institutional Remedies: The Philosophy of Jesus Christ. Christ spoke in simple terms of how to behave toward one another- Love thy neighbor... Do unto others, etc. These were more than platitudes, they were a blueprint for a successful society. If you think about it- there's only one other alternative- government. If your neighbor falls, help him up. Don't call social services- they'ree out for themselves, like any other institution.
I wish you no offense, but as far as I'm concerned, religions are all institutionalised. The earliest Christians needed no mediator between them and their God. Man institutionalised it and created the usual pyramids of power. I think you would be hard pushed to find the difference between how the church and social services operate - they both thrive in the most impoverished communities.
I didn't mention religion... I said the PHILOSOPHY of Jesus Christ. nothing to do with one another. Did you read the title of the article... THE FAILURE OF INSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES.
You are right, I read into it my own confirmation bias. I'd be pleased to READ it if still available ; )