People in the other "developed" countries have a tendency to look with raised eyebrows at us Americans because of our attitudes toward religion and weaponry. When it comes to God and guns, we sometimes seem closer to a country like Afghanistan than to, say, Germany or Japan.
But why? Why do so many Americans seem to be brandishing a Bible in one hand, and a Glock in the other?
And, WTF does sex have to do with it?
Well, when I start asking "why" questions about America, the first place I go to is a weighty tome, "Albion's Seed", by David Hackett Fischer. The book follows the four great waves of immigration from Britain to America: the Puritans from the east of England to Massachusetts, in 1629-1640; the Royalist elite with their indentured servants from the south of England to Virginia, 1642-75; the Quakers from the North Midlands of England and Wales to the Delaware Valley, 1675-1725; and the Borderlanders ("Scots-Irish") from the borders of North Britain and northern Ireland to Appalachia, 1718-1775.
These groups were all protestants who lived under British law, but it is important to note that they were very different in many important ways. And, their influence on America was profound.
"Waitaminnit!", you say. "What about all the other waves of immigration? German, Irish, Scandinavian, Italian, East Europeans, Jews, Japanese...? We're just chopliva?" Well, Fischer would point out that the Brits were here first, and had put their stamp on American culture, religion, and politics before the others arrived. And, they had time to multiply, But, more on multiplication later. ;) Now, let's talk God.
This is the easy question. The Puritans, Quakers, and Borderlanders (not so much the Royalists) came to America not for land, opportunity, or political freedom, but because of Religion. They were committed, even fanatical members of religious sects, escaping persecution and looking for a place to set up their own little theocracy. They all carried the "God Gene", as do their descendants.
From a description of a Borderlander camp meeting, in the American backcountry:
...In this sacred assembly there is an odd mixture of religion, sleep, drinking, courtship... you will find some weeping and others laughing, some pressing to get nearer the tent in which the parson is sweating, bawling, jumping and beating the desk; others fainting in the stifling heat or wrestling to extricate themselves from the crowd; one seems very devout and serious, and the next moment is scolding or cursing his meighbours for treading on him, in an instant.. he is groaning, sighing and weeping for his sins: ...were we convened for any purpose other than worshiping God... the scene would exceed all power of farce.
About the Puritans:
Cotton Mather recorded that at his ordination service he "prayed about an hour and a quarter, and preached... about an hour and three quarters."
As late as 1775, townsmen within twenty miles of the sea were urged to carry arms to church lest godless British raiding parties surprise them while at worship.
"...everyone sang as best pleased himself." Another described the effect as a "horrid medley of confused and disorderly noises." Strangers were astounded by the noise, which carried miles across the quiet countryside.
But enough about God. Let's talk about sex.
Fischer notes that the Quakers preached celibacy, often even within marriage; that two percent of Puritan brides were pregnant on their wedding day; and that ninety-four percent of "Scots-Irish" brides were pregnant at their wedding, many of them "very big with child".
A bit more on the sexuality of the "Scots-Irish" Borderlanders. Note: if you do not wish to be exposed to prurient, salacious material, skip this part. ;)
The young women... draw their shift as tight as possible round their Breasts, and slender waists (for theye are generally very finely shaped)... indeed nakedness is not censurable or indecent here...
Nothing leades more to this than what they call their love feasts... to which much liquor is privately carried... The assignations made on Sundays at the singing clubs are here realized.
It is important to note that these ways came from North Britain:
The North British Borderers... were more relaxed. An example was a sexual game called cockle bread, which was played by nubile girls in Westmoreland... a "wanton sport of young wenches, who would get upon a Tableboard and then gather-up their knees and their coates as high as they can, and then they wabble to and fro with their buttocks, singing ' Up with your heels, down with your head; that is the way to make cockeldy bread.'"
POP QUIZ Nothing on your desks but pencil and paper, kiddos. Question: Which of these immigrant waves multiplied and spread much more than the others? Bonus essay question: Why is American sexuality the way it is today?
And, about guns. More on the "Scots-Irish" (my ancestors):
On child rearing:
The object was not will-breaking as among the Puritans... the rearing of male children in the back settlements was meant to be positively will-enhancing... to foster fierce pride, stubborn independence and a warrior's courage in the young... At an early ae, male children were given their own miniature weapons--an axe, a knife, a bow, even a childish gun.
...the back country was occupied by strong and warlike Indian nations... Savage warfare began in the late seventeenth century... in some of the fiercest indian wars of American history.
Again, it is important to note that their ways were brought from Britain:
We think of clans today in the Scottish Highlands, but they existed in the lowlands, northern Ireland and England's border counties... The Armstrongs were able to field 3,000 mounted men. The Grahams held thirteen towers on the westen border in 1552, and bid defiance to their foes. The Rutherfords and Halls were so violent that royal officials in 1598 ordered no quarter be given to anyone of those names...
Diarist's note: This is just a tiny taste of this tremendous book. It discusses family life, work, building, politics, order, wealth, marriage, courtship, dress, language, rank, politics, death... well, pretty much everything. For a long time, I've been wanting to review this book, but it's such a daunting task. And my efforts at writing a review were, well... boring.
I kept thinking "How can I get their attention...?