I think Judis makes an excellent point that what we are experiencing is not a decline in morality but a departure from morality or a change of what we believe morality to mean. Though a Christian myself I find it unwise to foist the the mantle of Judeo-Christian values on those who profess no faith. The older generation calls the younger "morally bankrupt" and the younger is unaffected. The population in general has decided that happiness on earth is the most important pursuit, turning away from delayed gratification. This has affected all ages and classes - the old are not immune to consumerism. My grandmother has entirely filled her house with "stuff" - random cheap items, 50% of which she will never look at again.

I find the distinctions made in Hill's history between Lutheranism and Calvinism to be very interesting. While I had always thought of Luther as having the greater global impact, if we judge by Hill's arguments Calvin's theology set up the philosophical backdrop or justification that encouraged the world's evolution into capitalism. "Encouraging the pursuit of unlimited profit" sounds like greed to me. No wonder the Catholic Church was less than pleased with these upstarts.