Have our morals changed within the span of a single generation

[Space_Karen]

There is a well known reality TV series known as American Chopper. Which I will use as a basis for this post.

The focal point of conflict for the show is Paul Teutel Sr. believing it is morally and socially acceptable for him to make questionable choices being that he's the owner, founder and boss of the company.

His sons disagree believing it is unacceptable for Senior to operate in a carte blanche (I can do whatever I want) format. They expect Sr to wield his authority and power responsibly and be a good role model.

This disagreement could stem from Sr. being born and raised in a world where it was acceptable for the boss to be vicious and cruel to his underlings.

Somewhere along the line, this may have changed. The majority of people no longer consider it acceptable for bosses and leaders to display that type of behavior.

In which case, might it be said that humanity is becoming more moral over time? The amount of evil we tolerate in the workplace and in our daily lives is on a steep decline?

To cite another example, I would guess many of us have heard older family members use racial slurs -- which used to be acceptable in past eras. Many of which are no longer considered so today. Within only the span of a generation the social practice of racial slurs could also be on a steep decline.

The way we think about of the world and the behavior, ideology and values of people could be changing at a faster rate than we realize.

 

[Adam]

Counterpoint: Drag Queen Story Hour

 

[Space_Karen]

Counterpoint: Drag Queen Story Hour

Being exposed to that.

Could be their best motivation to reject woke narratives later in life.

 

[Pearl]

Have our morals changed within the span of a single generation​

When I was a young girl most people had much higher morals than they do today. Nice girls didn't get pregnant until they were married and abortion was illegal. People respected the law and the police. And sex attacks were rare and almost unheard of on children. So I say a big YES to the question.

 

[Space_Karen]

When I was a young girl most people had much higher morals than they do today. Nice girls didn't get pregnant until they were married and abortion was illegal. People respected the law and the police. And sex attacks were rare and almost unheard of on children. So I say a big YES to the question.

Pop singer Sinead O'Connor is famous for shaving her head. She said that many of the men in her life molested her. Which led to her shaving her head hoping they would stop.

Britney Spears suffered for decades before the media reported her plight.

The woman known as the 100 year old virgin said as a young girl all of the women around her were victims of domestic abuse. Which led to her never dating and never losing her virginity.

It is possible that the media didn't report on these topic in past eras. They never reported on Sinead O'Connor, Britney Spears and others being molested until recently. In the past they would simply cover it up. It wouldn't be front page news like it is today.

 

[Pearl]

There were probably a lot of domestic abuse but it was hidden and women were ashamed. The fact that today women feel more able to walk away from that is a vast improvement. But I wouldn't count domestic abuse as a moral issue. Morals are of yourself, from your own mind, determining how you live your life. Is it clean and pure or soiled and impure. I'm afraid that today so many young people tend towards the latter. Drinking to excess, unprotected sex with strangers, dishonesty etc.

 

[Space_Karen]

I'm afraid that today so many young people tend towards the latter. Drinking to excess, unprotected sex with strangers, dishonesty etc.

That is how I felt during the 2005 to 2010 era when Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Neil Tyson Degrasse all had their big breakout moments of fame. Over time, people realized many of those atheist public figures, they once revered, were extremely subpar in ways. Causing that movement to lose influence and traction.

I think a similar thing will happen with hook up culture, substance abuse and dishonesty. Eventually people will see with their own eyes that there are better and smarter ways of living their lives. Causing those trends to lose favor.

Hopefully it will also extend to children in schools being exposed to drag queens and similar woke movements. People will realize they have been victimized by those things. And it will trigger a big backlash in the opposite direction.

 

[Pearl]

That is how I felt during the 2005 to 2010 era when Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Neil Tyson Degrasse all had their big breakout moments of fame. Over time, people realized many of those atheist public figures who they once revered, were extremely subpar in ways. Causing that movement to lose influence and traction.

I think a similar thing will happen with hook up culture, substance abuse and dishonesty. Eventually people will see with their own eyes that there are better and smarter ways of living their lives. Causing those trends to lose favor.

Hopefully it will also extend to children in schools being exposed to drag queens and similar woke movements. People will realize they have been victimized by those things. And it will trigger a big backlash in the opposite direction.

I don't know who those people are, and those other things are already with us.

2 Peter 2:12-14​

12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.[a] 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!

 

[Space_Karen]

I don't know who those people are, and those other things are already with us.

​

2 Peter 2:12-14​

12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.[a] 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!

Around 2005, Richard Dawkins published a book entitled "The God Delusion". Which was a grand attempt to disprove God and discredit Christianity. I think that book was the source of the "If God exists, who made God" line of thought, which many parrot even today.

There were buses like these on UK roads pushing peak atheism.

Atheists in that 2005 to 2010 era received a lot of attention and praise.

People of today not knowing who Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and other atheist public figures are serves as a good indication for how many of these social movements and media campaigns can flare up and die out within a short span of time.

I think the atheist movement of 2005 - 2010 might be compared to drag queen story hour. Its the same strategy intending to push people away from God and religion. Only implemented differently, targeting a younger audience. Which could mean the end result will also be identical.

Above we have Neil Tyson deGrasse recently being a guest on Joe Rogan's podcast. If you read the comments, most are bashing Neil.

The thing to understand about this trend is that Neil Tyson deGrasse was a very famous public figure only around 10 years ago. He used to be extremely respected and admired as a scientist and atheist public figure. He used to be the atheist golden boy who could do no wrong. But all of that has flipped a hard 180 degrees. Today he goes on Joe Rogan's podcast and is mostly a pinata for everyone universally bashing him.

I remember a time around 10 years ago when it was unthinkable and impossible for Neil to receive this type of treatment. Many believed atheism would grow to eclipse and dethrone christianity in the united states based on the contributions of people like Neil. However it seems that there could be fundamental reasons why that will never happen.

 

[Raccoon1010]

I had thought morality is taught in school. But I think proper morality comes from being raised in a church environment.

 

[ScottA]

There is a well known reality TV series known as American Chopper. Which I will use as a basis for this post.

The focal point of conflict for the show is Paul Teutel Sr. believing it is morally and socially acceptable for him to make questionable choices being that he's the owner, founder and boss of the company.

His sons disagree believing it is unacceptable for Senior to operate in a carte blanche (I can do whatever I want) format. They expect Sr to wield his authority and power responsibly and be a good role model.

This disagreement could stem from Sr. being born and raised in a world where it was acceptable for the boss to be vicious and cruel to his underlings.

Somewhere along the line, this may have changed. The majority of people no longer consider it acceptable for bosses and leaders to display that type of behavior.

In which case, might it be said that humanity is becoming more moral over time? The amount of evil we tolerate in the workplace and in our daily lives is on a steep decline?

To cite another example, I would guess many of us have heard older family members use racial slurs -- which used to be acceptable in past eras. Many of which are no longer considered so today. Within only the span of a generation the social practice of racial slurs could also be on a steep decline.

The way we think about of the world and the behavior, ideology and values of people could be changing at a faster rate than we realize.

No.

The Chopper example is answered in who signs the checks--it's not a moral issue at all, but an entitlement issue.

As for racial issues, this generation brought back much of what the former generations had overcome. My father was a cop called in to the '60's riots. My generation invited Sidney Poitier to dinner, and our heroes were and are of every race. We brought love to the table. We also elected the first black president. He and this current generation brought is all back for political gain. That's not progress, that is newfound evil.

 

[Pearl]

I had thought morality is taught in school. But I think proper morality comes from being raised in a church environment.

Morality is personal but then society is coloured by our personal standards.

 

[Gumpy]

I think life has changed drastically for kids and humans in today's times. Moral and manners used to be taught both at home and at school. Home life changed like back when I was a kid. Mom was home. You watched what you did because every Mom was home. But then the world go busier, and people had to have what their neighbours had. Eventually, Mom and Dad had to work to support the big house with the pool, cars, etc. So little Johnny or Suzie was home by themselves getting into the muck... Then schools eventually could not discipline anymore, so the kids grew up on their own, on the streets, where ever, but there was no more discipline for children, and now they do what they want when they want, and nobody can control it now... Now it's a sad world.

 

[BigJim]

Societies morals always change. It changes to whatever agenda is being pushed at the time so yes it changes, more quickly I think in today's times. Does that mean whatever morality that's hot topic currently is worth believing? No.. not necessarily. We certainly are living in a world where everyone believes the same things compared to past times where opinions were more varied. This makes me think people are more gullible or dense than they used to be.

As for what is or isn't moral, as we are on a Christian forum it would be wise to ask the question 'is it biblical'.

I have always had an open, open mind and I question everything. Being a very deep thinker I often hold opinions that are against the status quo, and I care very little about thinking differently or holding opinions that are different to society.

Society seems to do very little thinking, society isn't majority christian either, so I see very little reason to adapt to morals based on current times trends.

I believe current morals in society are backwards and it will not change.

 

[Pearl]

I think life has changed drastically for kids and humans in today's times. Moral and manners used to be taught both at home and at school. Home life changed like back when I was a kid. Mom was home. You watched what you did because every Mom was home. But then the world go busier, and people had to have what their neighbours had. Eventually, Mom and Dad had to work to support the big house with the pool, cars, etc. So little Johnny or Suzie was home by themselves getting into the muck... Then schools eventually could not discipline anymore, so the kids grew up on their own, on the streets, where ever, but there was no more discipline for children, and now they do what they want when they want, and nobody can control it now... Now it's a sad world.

Where God is absent there can be no high standards of morality.

 

[Pearl]

One only has to look at the clothes these celebs wear at the film festivals and award ceremonies - scanty clothes and flaunting see through dresses. Such a good example to all young women - I don't think.

Sex used to be between two people in love and in private, today it is plastered everywhere as people 'come out' as gay or bi or trans or a mix of all three. Moral standards have definitely declined.