Indeed, thats my biggest problem with religion. Most of the traditions they follow are from books written thousands of years ago. Very few of the values and traditions from back then have much of a use in the modern age. People also tend to pick and choose which parts of the bible they will adhere to strictly and which parts they wont follow so much, because it inconveniences them in some way. Yet they will still spout their bullshit when something offends them. Yes, some of the stories in the bible are good morality tales, but if you need a book to tell you that being evil is bad, then I would question your sanity. Likewise, if the only reason you are being good is because some book said you will be rewarded for it in heaven, then I would question that persons character and motivations.
It's only about 100 years ago that mutual attraction became a reason to marry. Even in Victorian England for instance, marriages were less about attraction than other factors. Arranged marriages are still the norm in lots of the world, in reality they just haven't altered as quickly as the perceived 'western world' marriage.
I think a lot of it was due to the Industrial revolution and the destruction of the previous class systems. 200 years ago the only people with money was the nobility. The Industrial revolution changed it so that commercial company owners can make the same amount, if not more money, than the established elite. Because the class system got muddied by this, it no longer became as big a priority to marry your children off for cash or politcal advantage.
I'd say it was more about the transition from an agricultural to a market economy. Parents historically controlled access to inheritance of agricultural land. But with the spread of a market economy it's less important for people to have permission from their parents to wait to give them an inheritance or to work on their parents' land. Modern market economy meant women had a more economic role and greater independence which led to more individual choice and opened the door for feelings to play a part so a greater focus on a love attraction as a reason to marry.
I don't thnk the class system was ever destroyed. it was just "tidied up" at the lower end. the real upper class is still in effect and harow, eton and the rest prove that.
There is still a class system. But you can now buy into it and don't have to be born into it. A normal person can start a business and become a millionaire. 250 years ago, the only way you got money was if you had the good fortune to be born into an already rich family. The old elites used to stick their noses up at the people who bought their way in, they were called "New money". But that is generally not the case these days. Heck the Middleton's would be considered new money back in those days, and one of them has married the Heir to the throne and will be Queen. Wasn't saying there is no longer rich people and poor people, that will never change.
well..... yes and no. Yes its all about the cash not the land as you alluded to earlier however you have to have the cash to make the cash. city of london is full to over flowing with toffs with school ties working in financial services who prob had to buy their exam certs and are thick. once they get the school tie they are in and daddy buys that. this is not a meritocracy where if you just work hard enough you can achieve.. its not. yes you can make a million through blood sweat and tears but the upper class are all the top politicians , top finaniciers etc etc. even those who do make the break through are looked down upon and will send little billy to harrow if they can to jump the queue in the next generation.
Education is a way of blurring the class lines. The son of a docker becomes a clerk, his son becomes a solicitor, and so on. The upper class you can't buy into, you can marry into it but you can't buy ancestry.
2nd generation 'new money' speak with the right accent and have been educated in the public school system mixing with toffs, so they're far more likely to be accepted as part of 'the set', than their working class old man who made his £m's in double glazing and bought the local Manor House in the 90's...............
(1) Everyone will exist eternally either in heaven or hell (Daniel 12:2,3; Matthew 25:46; John 5:28; Revelation 20:14,15). (2) Everyone has only one life in which to determine their destiny (Hebrews 9:27). (3) Heaven or hell is determined by whether a person believes (puts their trust) in Christ alone to save them (John 3:16, 36, etc.). 1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 181 helpful votes Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 125 helpful votes And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. James 4:7 ESV / 112 helpful votes Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Ephesians 6:11-12 ESV / 79 helpful votes Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. John 8:44 ESV / 72 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 68 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
