Is America following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire?

The Roman Empire was once one of the most powerful people groups in the world. Their technology was advanced, their military was strong, and their government was unique. But there were also many bad characteristics of the Roman Empire. Modern day America has most of these traits. America is following the path of the Roman Empire by being decadent, turning away from Biblical principals, and more recently having economic inflation, all of which can lead to a great nation’s demise.

Decadence comes in many different forms but the Roman Empire’s decadence was that of a lack of moral and intellectual discipline. The Romans would have magnificent parties, gorging themselves while their slaves would do all of the work. At these parties they would eat so much, they threw up. They’re daily activities included watching gladiator fights that lasted all day. They would also watch man versus beast fights, where almost always the man or woman was a Christian. America might not be this extreme but it still has an increasing rate of decadence. The technology in America decreases the need to work, thus people spend their free time at parties and having fun. Technology can include factories that prepare food so that people don’t have to take the time to cook, transportation such as cars and airplanes, and the ever present cell phone which reduces the need to write a letter or take the time to visit a person. The result is lazy unreliable environment that is unhealthy and unnatural. Americans might not spend a whole day at an arena watching people get eaten or killed, but the movies in America can be just as gruesome. Some of the top movies in America almost always have blood or someone dying. Such movie styles are bad influences on the current generation and can make generations to come more violent and have more sinful and unmoral lives.

Turning away from God and Biblical principles always ends badly. The Roman Empire is a good example of this. Some Emperors persecuted and outlawed Christians. Nero was probably the worst; he would dip Christians in tar then light them on fire and use them as torches in his garden. There were others such as Marcus Aurelius who made it illegal to change someone’s religion through fear. Eventually the Roman Empire split into two regions, the Roman side felt the need to separate the church from the state but the Byzantine side did not see that need. After the Roman Empire fell, the Byzantine Empire lasted almost 1000 years longer. American leaders don’t physically persecute Christians but most verbally assault them. The media in America is constantly attacking Christians and trying to find counter religions or beliefs. America has also separated the church from the state, in the Bible it states that government is instituted by God, but when they are separated, the government can become corrupt. It might not be at this stage yet but America could be heading that way.

Inflation can ruin an economy and a nation. Inflation is where there is an over-production of money which has an opposite effect and makes the cost of money go down. The prices of things skyrocket and people don’t buy as much. Due to the decrease of money circulation, an economy can tank. The Roman Empire had this problem; they also had a problem with the way their money was backed. Their money was backed with their expansion and plunder and when they stopped expanding, the value of their money dropped. The empire raised taxes to try to get money back to the government but it didn’t help, it only made things worse. America’s money is backed by trade so when the prices get higher and companies can’t trade as much, the value of the dollar goes down. When America raises taxes, some companies get rid of employees so they don’t have to pay as much. The people who just lost their jobs can’t pay taxes because they don’t have the money and income of a steady employment.

America might not be exactly like the Roman Empire, but many things are similar. The Roman Empire was an advanced civilization, both in technology and government. America uses some of the Roman government techniques. But the Roman Empire had its flaws which eventually destroyed it. America is following in the footsteps of some of the Roman Empire’s greatest mistakes, which include having luxurious self-indulgences, straying from the Biblical truths, and having problems with economic inflation.