For the longest time, and at various lengths of contemplation, a single word has finally surfaced as to being the very descriptor of American Culture and Society today. And yet, it came about from the inspiration of a discussion thread over at Writing Forums under the Debate Forum and is entitled Motivation of Actions. A discussion about the core issue of what human behavior aligns itself with in pursuing a more fulfilling life. Whether an individual (or community and culture of individuals) are in the pursuit of pleasure or the pursuit of power, the reality is this: we all are naturally and innately in pursuit of something within our lives.
As we look at our culture today, it is filled with the attitude and adoration for the pursuit of pleasure, as well as power. The heart of our current social issues (i.e. Same-Sex Marriage, Universal and Nationalized Health Care, Governmental Dictation on the lives of the people – which is foreign to the constitution of the United States because it is the power and voice of the people that ought to dictate the Government – and the economic crisis our nation is facing) are defined on the pursuit of pleasure and power.
Regarding the concept of the pursuit of pleasure, we have to engage in an understanding of what Hedonistic and Hedonism is defined this way:
1. Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses.
2. Philosophy The ethical doctrine holding that only what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is intrinsically good.
3. Psychology The doctrine holding that behavior is motivated by the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
Thus, the question that is begged is this: Are we as a culture and society traveling down the road where the pursuit of pleasure and power is one of health and prosperity that is beneficial to our society? Or, are we traversing down a path where the pursuit of pleasure and power is causing a burden of oppression and yoke of bondage? It is a question we must ask and answer honestly with as much objectivity as we possibly can.
Furthermore, what is the ultimate cause of a nation’s collapse and destruction of the people? When we turn to history and see how other nations have risen and fallen, we come to the realization and naked truth that the American culture has long courted and bedded down with a destructive philosophy of the pursuit of pleasure and power. These two philosophical idealisms go hand in hand.
In what sense am I talking about here about the American Culture and Society lovingly embrace an unhealthy, dysfunctional relationship with a hedonistic lifestyle? The pleasures that are being pursued are those pleasures of self-indulgence. The “If it feels good, do it” mentality. The other is of power and control over others that bring about disruption to the norm and staunch traditions that have upheld the security and harmony of society.
A current example of the pursuit of pleasure that is displaced is the recent investigation in Everett, Washington where five barista’s are being charged for potential prostitution crimes that they committed while employed at a Bikini Hut. The owner of these huts state that he has a right to operate businesses where women come to work in as little clothing as allowable by law. Some of them having only real thin almost transparent cloth around their waist, and adorning themselves with pasties to cover their nipples. And yet, he expects them not to garner money from their patrons for “flashing” or allowing their patrons to pay and fondle?
Another current example is the self-indulgence of Same-Sex attraction and lifestyle being forced upon society. The mentality is “I am born this way, I can’t help but be this way” or other various arguments “They have proven that homosexuality is natural in the animal kingdom, so why can’t we openly embrace it as a natural part of our life?” While such argumentation negates the reality that there are many things within the animal kingdom that are just as natural and far more superior than sexual relations just because it is a sense of gratification. For instance, it is natural for a female deer to mate with a male deer to continue on the particular species. It is just as natural for a mother to nurture her young with suckle.
What is even more interesting here is that the opposite side of all this is that there are healthy indulgences in the pursuit of pleasures and powers. These more positive aspects of indulgence and control help solidify any given culture and society in their over all identity and harmonious existence. Those who are gifted and give us creative works through music, theatre, art, and other such things. Where would we be if we did not have the works of some of the classic literature of Dickens, Poe, Frost, or the talents of Beethoven, Tiachosvsky, and other such notables.
And yet, the greatest pursuit of all, the greatest sovereign power of all is that of a Loving Heavenly Father that blesses his Children. Time and again, the scriptures state that if we obey his commandments, walk according to his will, and align ourselves to His principles, he will prosper and bless us in all that we do and accomplish. Our minds will gain greater knowledge and wisdom to attain a more wondrous state of existence.
Thus, because we have pushed aside our relationship and inheritance with the Divine, and embraced the more palatable pursuit of our own self-indulgence, we seek to control those who stand for true liberation and freedom by oppressing their voices, bounding them with yokes of bondage that bring our society further and further down the path of collapse.
All one has to do is look to how a Hedonistic Society fell and collapsed because of their pursuit of pleasure and power that had no basis on benefiting the culture and given society. Rome Fell, The Mayan Empire Fell, Russia fell, The British Empire, Spanish Empire, Egyptian, Phoenician Empire. They all eventually fell and were replaced, assimilated, and/or taken over by another cultural identity and society.
1 Comment
October 9, 2009 at 9:43 am
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