Is America Becoming Decadent?

Is America decadent? How would we know? Based upon what standard? Is not everything relative? Is there a standard measure for decadence? Can we quantify decadence and say whether or not America is becoming decadent? Perhaps.

What is Decadence?

When most people hear the word “decadent”, I imagine they think of drunken orgies. Unfortunately, I fear too few reflect upon the evil inherent in decadence. Instead, they may wonder where the harm is in a drunken orgy?

Even though most people innately share similar attitudes towards moral behavior, we do not necessarily share the same standards of behavior. Because our society upholds religious freedom, we can each operate within our own ethical system. So even members of the same church do not necessarily honor the same religious beliefs and ethical standards.

Nonetheless, in spite of religious freedom, our government still inhibits our behavior. Our government promotes secularism, a separation — even the divorce — of religious values from public life. We do this in a desire to avoid the establishment of a religion by government. Unfortunately, this drive for secularism too often keeps children from learning once cherished religious beliefs. Thus when I think of decadence, I do not fear drunken orgies. Instead, I dread the day when People have not learned the difference between right and wrong.

How Can We Measure Decadence?

Perhaps we can begin by considering decadence’s opposite, that which is honorable. If some people are decadent, then some people must be relatively more honorable and virtuous. How do we use to use the word honorable? Why do we honor someone? Is it because they are rich and famous or because they hold high ethical standards? Don’t we honor people because they forthrightly state their beliefs and affirm those beliefs with their behavior? Don’t we honor those whose words and deeds are one and the same? Are not the people we call our heroes those who risk everything to live honorably?

If we are becoming more decadent, have our heroes changed? How have our heroes changed? Whom did we once honor? Who were our heroes?

For centuries we honored martyrs. These were people who when faced with torture and death affirmed their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were humble people we honored for living according to the dictates of their faith and the example of our Lord.

Some still honor the martyrs, but it has been many years since our leaders routinely tortured and executed people for their faith. With the coming of the age of secular government, the nature of our heroes changed. Instead of martyrs, our more recent forebears honored men and women who lived lives of public service. Thus the Washington Mall honors great presidents and our land is strewn with monuments to soldiers and public servants.

Whom do we honor today? What do our heroes believe about the purpose of life? Do they aspire to be rich and famous or to live as God would have them live? Do our heroes mark us as decadent or as a people seeking virtue?

Are We Becoming Decadent?

Only God knows what is in each person’s heart and soul. None of us can judge America. We can only guess whether America is becoming more decadent, but we can know if we ourselves are becoming decadent. We can review the nature of our heroes, the people we honor by copying their example.

We can look at our own heroes, the people we respect and whose example we would follow. Who do we honor? Do our heroes live lives of virtue or self indulgence? Do they keep their word or weasel out it? Are their ethics situational? Do our heroes sacrifice for their neighbors or do they use people?

Whose example have you chosen to copy?

Hebrews 13:7-8
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.