Cultural War, war on culture, or footnote of history?

[coriolis]

Take a step back from Janet Jackson, Howard Stern, election year posturing, and even gay marriages for a minute. Here are some larger questions. Are we in the midst of a historic battle between (I'll borrow from Bill O'Rielly) the traditionalists and those who want to change things, over the soul of our society? It may seem obvious that we are. Or is this just normal pendulum swinging as it has done throughout history? Are the changes at issue just evolutionary changes towards a better America, or is America going down the same road as the roman empire to decadence and decay? Will America be just another great democracy (or empire) that rose and fell? Will the inhabitants of the land simply continue thier lives under a new ruler? Are there even larger forces at work, like an international effort to bring down the last bastion of freedom by creating internal division, so that the "new world order" can be imposed. Are the internationalists just using radical Islam to weaken America? Should we be fighting all the small battles that keep us busy, should we be looking elsewhere for the real enemy, should we be preparing for our "last stand" or should we just worry about about getting our own lives in order?

I know that this is a very broad question, and I sure don't have all the answers, but I'd like stimulate some discussion that goes beyond the details of the issues. Are we not seeing the forest for the trees?

Any takers?

[azsnowman]

WOW! What a TOUGH set of questions Ed!

WELL....here's MY thoughts on this matter from a Hard Core Christians point of view....every question you posed has been fortold in the prophecy of Daniel and John, all these signs are leading to the end of mankind as we know it, that's JUST my opinion mind you! I was listening to a Christian radio station yesterday while driving and the speaker brought up almost the EXACT same scenarios....he backed every single issue up with scripture. Now...no man knows WHEN the Lord will return BUT, given the situations, I've got my eyes on the Future!

Dennis

[streetsoldier]

I believe it was Chancellor Otto von Bismarck who coined the phrase, kulturkampf (war for the culture), and in this instance his statement is dead on.

Eastern absolutist satrapy vs. Western civilization, which is itself under attack from within by frustrated Socialists, who have yet to discern that their pet theories do not WORK, save within a closed society under strict control (i.e., KGB-Gestapo-style).

Warning...if America falls, it will be done from WITHIN, ladies and gentlemen. Keep this in mind come November...

[Stephanie]

I think that it is apart of the normal pendulum swing that we see over the decades. The most obvious example is the Presidential elections - we go from one extreme of policies to another. That is pretty much due to the fact that one side ends up feeling left out or not heard during the previous administration.

[wx247]

You can watch this pendelum best in the pop culture era. For example, country music is arguably at its highest level in popularity in years (as well as bluegrass). "The Passion of the Christ" is the box office smash. The U.S. is concerned about values (ie: Janet Jackson, Howard Stern, etc). All of the aforementioned examples are what is in right now.

The US has always continued to evolve. I thoroughly agree with Bill. If this country falters, it is no one's fault but our own. It is up to each and every one of us to see that America remains the giant she is by allowing us to do the things that have made us strong in the first place.

[Rainband]

Time will tell.