I suspect that most of us would agree that thieving, murdering, and adultery are immoral, but there may be some differences among us on the morality of gambling and drinking. A national constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages was in place in the United States from from 1920 to 1933, yet is difficult to imagine such a ban on alcohol being implemented in the United States today. And in 2015, 30 tribes in Oklahoma operated 128 gambling facilities and state lottery sales totaled $186 million.
What do you make of changes like these--from a time when a U.S. government official includes gambling and drinking in a list alongside thieving, murdering, and adultery to today when these practices are commonplace in the state and in the nation? Do you conclude that morals naturally change over time as society changes and evolves? Or do you see this as evidence of the way morals have declined over time as our society has become more lax? Or do you interpret these differences in a different way?
I do not believe that the acceptance of drinking and gambling is a result of a decline in morals or the relaxing of morals. Of course, morals are subjective, meaning that what one person finds morally acceptable, another might not (see the Trolley problem). I believe that the acceptance of gambling and drinking is a result of two things: the changing mindset of Americans and the realization of the income that can be made from these two activities. Today, people are more accepting of drinking and gambling, partly because they are so highly advertised. These activities are advertised as such because businessmen realized that there is lot of money in these activities.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Tyler, in that activities like drinking and gambling have been seen as more acceptable in recent years because of how much they are advertised. We see and hear ads for different types of alcohol every single day. Along with this is the bombardment of ads about how much fun you can have and money you can win at various casinos. Morals have certainly changed from the time that the crimes in this book were occurring. As a Christian, I base my morals on the Bible. Following that reasoning, I would have to say that I believe morals have declined. This is certainly not the first society that has experienced this, but I do believe it has happened.
ReplyDelete-Kaylee George
I believe that the acceptance of gambling and drinking comes from a decline in morals because our society has evolved, not because it has become more lax. Society changes and is going to continue to change. I agree with Kaylee George whenever she talks about the “bombardment of ads about how much fun you can have and money you can win at various casinos”, society has evolved to show us that these activities are fun, when in reality society is causing our morals to decline. During the time period of the book these activities were not accepted because peoples morals were higher than they are now, and many years from now, there will be many more things that become acceptable as society evolves that some will see as a decline in morals and others will see simply as society evolving.
ReplyDeleteI must disagree with you Kaylee. While I see no problem with drinking and gambling in moderation, such activities were highly frowned upon in the early twentieth century especially with many Protestant churches' doctrine completely prohibiting them. The devout Baptists and Methodists of the early twentieth century would not be caught dead with a bottle or dice in their hands. While such churches' doctrine has not changed, a poll done in 2007 by LifeWay research found that a startling 25% of non-Southern Baptist preachers drink, as do 42% of non-Southern Baptist laity. Would this change not be indicative of an increasingly lax stance on the moral teachings of this particular Protestant sect? Also Kaylee, would you consider this change in morality an evolution, or a de-evolution of our society and how we perceive what is right and what is wrong?
DeleteAs I stated earlier, our society is evolving, and to some it is a de-evolution of our morals while others see it as our society simply changing. It's not a lax stance on the moral teachings, it's what society perceives as right and wrong. And I see it as a decline at this point. The answer to this question isn't this or that, it's both. Our morals have declined as our society has "evolved".
DeleteI do agree with you in a way, Kaylee. I definitely think society can be a cause of decline in morals because we adapt as society changes. Morals are bound to change as time goes on because people change, something from 200 years ago would be looked at as much different in 2018, and vice versa. Nothing is bound to stay constant, and people are no exception. I don't see drinking and gambling as being equal to things such as murder, but that's due to society evolving and changing their ideas, and in return changing mine. I believe that society adapts to the youth's ideas because the youth of the America is the future and they set the groundwork that younger generations will soon follow, and eventually change in their own way.
DeleteI believe that this observed decline in morality is due to looser moral standards. We have decided, as a society, that certain acts of immorality are more acceptable than others. This alieviates a good portion of our guilt for the sins we commit. When we find ourselves wallowing in drunkeness, we say, "I didn't kill anyone." We brush off the "little sins" as if they are inconsequential. It leaves me wondering, how many drunken night of gambling equivalate an act of adultery. Dare you pose a response?
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that it is quite a shift in morals as a society that have changed, but rather, perhaps, a change in how we treat minorities. While yes, people of all races did participate in illegal activities, it was also a way to put down African Americans and Native Americans in the South. What easier way to attack a race then to make something rather commonplace and some say, harmless to others, than make it against the law to do so. It made jailing and prosecuting otherwise innocent minorities easier, such as people who are arrested for marijuana use and more effective, as it was also very easy to plant evidence of such activities,. Did our morals change when we became more accepting of alcohol and gambling? Maybe, but it would be very irresponsible not to think of the other reasons such laws were implemented in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Laws, moral standards, and societally accepted behaviors do not exist in a vacuum, and one of many unfortunate truths about America is that we often dress up systemic marginalization of certain groups as taking some kind of stand against a seemingly unrelated issue. Would white Americans protest as much against gambling if they were the ones owning and operating casinos?
DeleteTeresa White
I do not believe the changes in people's morals is what has made the activities like drinking and gambling more acceptable. I agree with Tyler when it comes to a business stand point. People have noticed how much money drinking and gambling brings into the economy. Drinking has become very socially acceptable as businessmen have seen this opportunity and opened businesses selling alcohol. Gambling has also become very more acceptable. There is a lot of money that comes into play within casinos. There are still people that look down upon alcohol and gambling, but all-in-all it is socially acceptable. It is the overuse of these two things that has become the issue. Ads are everywhere promoting these activities.
ReplyDeleteYes, these activities DO bring large sums of money into circulation, which is viewed as a good thing in our materialistic society. Maybe that serves as proof that our morals HAVE declined. 1 Timothy 6:10 states, "For the love of money is the root of all evil..." (KJV). If the reason that gambling and drinking (activities that were once considered sinful) have become socially acceptable is simply because of the monetary gain, then the reason behind this progression is also sinful, showing how our morals have, in fact, declined.
DeleteI agree with Alisha and Sierra. Big business takes it upon themselves to capitalize on the moral decline of society. Because we show immorality on the big screen and weave it into all aspects of every day life, our society sees it as acceptable. If we take one immoral act and act as if it is any better than another because a profit can be made, what are we teaching our younger generations?
DeleteThe acceptance of drinking and gambling, while counter-intuitive, is not the result of a decline in morals but rather, I think, an incline. The old adage that sunlight is the best disinfectant comes to mind. In the past it was common place for a person to be shot over a card game, whether from false accusations or a misunderstanding. Likewise, without the regulations of modern times "medicinal whiskey", even though prescribed by a doctor, could result in blindness if the distiller was careless. However, when these activities aren't shunned as debauchery, or sins, where they must operate unregulated in the shadows they can prosper in the open where they can be enjoyed under supervision along with a significantly decreased chance of death or injury. The government report of Whizbang included "Gambling, drinking, adultery, lying, thieving, murdering” in the same sentence because the person that just wanted a drink and a card game after work was forced to consort with thieves, murderers, and adulterers because of the law and societal perceptions, not in spite of them. At the end of the day, I believe society recognized the higher moral action was to legally allow these activities. While there are large sums of money still affiliated with gambling and alcohol, we don’t see Al Capone type figures in modern times.
ReplyDeleteMitchell Potts
I believe that gambling and drinking have become more acceptable because over time morals have definitely adapted to the times of the society and in fact declined. I agree with what Kaylee George says when she talks about the advertisement of things such as alcohol. When people see things like this advertised everywhere they begin to think that is completely okay to do it. As people continue to adapt to society, morals will continue to decline.
ReplyDeleteRaynee Taliaferro
I believe that our modern society’s acceptance of drinking and gambling in no way shows a decline or disregard of morals. Everyone has a different take on what is or is not morally acceptable because everyone follows their own moral compass. Differences in religion, upbringing, and social status all play a major role in the diverse array of morals amongst our society. With that being said, as those who have major roles in shaping societal opinions change and we have a more diverse group of individuals leading our state and country, we have a wider range of what is believed to be acceptable. For instance, when we had leaders who believed that drinking and gambling were morally wrong, we as a society followed suit and believed that as well, but as we have had more leaders who speak out against that and let their opposing views be known, we feel more comfortable voicing the way we feel and opposing societal norms.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a person's morals have a lot to do with the generation they or their parents are born in. What you are taught and what you learn along the way have a way of intertwining and becoming your own personal set of moral beliefs. However, society's acceptance of certain behaviors should not be a crutch. If we know and believe that certain things are wrong but society allows it and we follow suit then our personal morals and ethics will and should be questioned. Gambling, drinking, adultery, lying, thieving, murdering are all sins according to the bible, so people who consider themselves Christians should not be conformed by society about what is morally acceptable. Morals may change as society evolves, but this does not need to be true for believers. We should hold ourselves accountable to the morals and ethics according to our faith, not by society's standards.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the acceptance of drinking and gambling is due to the fact that our morals have declined. I feel as though if the government believes we can make money off of a product then they are more likely to say its acceptable. As far as drinking goes I believe it should have a higher age restriction at the very least. The reason why it's legal now is becuase we deem it profitable. I believe gambling is made legal only becuase it is profitable. Gambling is a terrible thing that targets people who are financially unstable and should be banned on those grounds. If you are well off you have no reason to gamble. It's a poor man's game and drives people down economically.
ReplyDeleteSociety’s morals in regards to gambling and drinking have undoubtedly changed as a result of its evolution, but I don’t know that they’ve necessarily declined, since morality is subjective and depends on an individual’s opinions. However, I agree with what others have said about the profits associated with both activities contributing to their prevalence today. There are constantly advertisements for alcohol and casinos that try to justify why people should spend money on those things, coupled with the fact that when people see others participating in something, they are more likely to think that it’s morally acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Kaylee George on the fact that morals have declined as the years go on based on my Christian standpoint. However, I do not see gambling or drinking as a sin so long as it is done in moderation; if one thinks about it, most things that are done excessively do not bring a pleasing outcome. Aside from these two activities, numerous other activities are becoming more popular, yet people used to be beaten to death, or stoned, for doing such things in the past. However, as a society, we are constantly changing our beliefs and morals to fit the descriptions of other people’s beliefs. For example, homosexuality and other types of sexualities are just now becoming more known and supported; laws have even been passed allowing same-sex marriage. Whether people think this is right or wrong is beside the point; this situation just goes to show that people can change their mind about things and situations, as they did about the Prohibition and gambling.
ReplyDelete-Payton Hodges
I believe a reason that gambling and drinking is less perceived as immoral in modern times than it was during Prohibition is because people adapt to changes so it can best fit their own wants and needs. Not all the adaptations people make are good though. Such as when Prohibition started, many people were not in agreement with that policy. This had caused many people to start making and selling alcohol illegally. This change was not a wise one to make, mainly because it was illegal at the time. Nowadays, people have adapted their views thinking that both gambling and drinking are not cardinal sins.
ReplyDelete-Sam Pratt
I believe as society has changed people have become more relaxed with their morals. The acceptance of certain things, in particular gambling and drinking, has increases in this generation. Younger and younger people are getting hold of these and getting addicted. Starting from seeing a parent, friend, or older person doing it. I believe this decline in morals are due to the amount of importance society puts on faith or lack or importance.
ReplyDeleteI believe the country was founded by a group of like minded individuals who all agreed on their beliefs and formed the United States and it's laws based on what that. As the country grew larger and accepted people with different beliefs the laws were changed to accommodate the new populous.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that I believe will resonate with me for the longest time is that having such an excessive amount money can make you lose who you are. Social classes all have different expectations within them. In the case of most of the Osage Community, once the oil came, then came major wealth. The community seemed to have two different groups, one that used the wealth to live a more luxurious life but they kept traditional life as much as they could, and Mollie is an example of that person. The second used the money to a full extent, such as replacing cars with damage of as much as a flat tire. Another point of focus could be how much the county itself changes. These people who fought to keep their land and their traditions safe from white practices dive straight into those practices once having money. They dismantle the original town and build a booming metropolis. For me this would be hard, I was raised in heavy family traditions. If I would have lived in that time it is hard to say if they would have stood the test of the influx of money. Having read about the changes this money caused really makes you hold on to and value the person you are. It's true we can all grow, but these people completely changed.
ReplyDeleteI see the changes in the eye that morals are unlegisistatable. I believe the acceptance of alcohol was already there, because it had been legal before. Gambling has a similar past, as it was a widespread past time before becoming illegal. The fact that there was a numerous amount of people who abused alcohol and drove themselves bankrupt with gambling is what caused this legislation. However, one thing that we have seen over time is that people will find a way to do something they want to do. The prohibition of alcohol brought about major violence and underground trade, such as moonshine, with this came underground casinos and gambling spots. Legislation was put in, to control a problem however they made it more violent. The ending of the prohibition was not a decline in morals, but instead a shift in what government felt they could totally control. Current events are another way to show how government uses legislation to shift morals. Marijuana has been legal for a few years now, and the numbers say that the violence correlated with drug cartels has dropped. Therefore, the public moral about cannabis will shift.
As time has gone by since the early 1900’s I do believe that morals evolve and are more relaxed. Society as a whole has became more subjective to other people's views and beliefs. A person will think that if society is doing it is ok that I do it. I agree with tyler that alcohol and gambling did rise in popularity because there was so much money to be made. Heavy advertising and more acceptance of drinking caused society over time to accept it.
ReplyDelete-freddy grotts
DeleteI don't believe the allowance of gambling and drinking makes us immoral, but I do think that it means that society has changed and become more accepting to things and more subjective. Morality is based on personal beliefs, so things that are immoral to some may not be to others. Although lying, thieving and murdering are generally thought of as immoral, some may judge drinking and gambling as immoral. I agree with Tyler that "the acceptance of gambling and drinking is a result of two things: the changing mindset of Americans and the realization of the income that can be made". I think that morality has changed because of the mindset of Americans has become more relaxed and subjective. Also I agree that money has a lot to do with it and how much the Native American communities make in casinos with gambling and drinking.
ReplyDelete-Hannah Rios
I believe that society's morals have become lax specifically in the areas of alcohol and gambling due to many factors. Of course, there is the business standpoint that Tyler has referred to. Companies realized they could make money off of these activities so they capitalized off of it. I also believe that with time, we as a society have become desensitized to our 'sins' as a whole and individually. We become desensitized through the ads that have also been previously mentioned and through the act of doing it ourselves and seeing others partake in these actions. Some begin to view it with an attitude of "it is 'normal' or 'acceptable' because everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn't I?" And with morals being subjective, there is nothing stopping people from doing these things, not even the law. --Kelsey Mader
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