America's Lost Manners

Americans have lost the concept of good manners. Most of us do "what is right in our own eyes." We don't give others proper respect. We treat others as though we are nobles and everyone else is a peasant. We have all heard stories of these same attitudes from the 18th century. While there were many who acted arrogantly toward the lower classes, such behavior was considered ill-mannered. Using George Washington's Rules of Civility and Antoine de Courtin's Rules of Civility from which Washington copied his rules, I have shown how little manners have changed. Many of these rules have a Scriptural basis. I want to bring back the art of etiquette because of its basis in the Bible. Good manners show the love of our neighbor that Christ commanded. Christians, above all others, should have the best manners because "he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:16)