Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Culture

Culture, put very simply, speaks to HOW people live their lives in a given society. Pink is correct that geography plays a big part in that.

For example, the ancient Greeks were very much oriented around city-states as opposed to a regional allegiance. Why? Because mountains and terrain made travel between cities extremely difficult -- and therefore uncommon. So, you had very different cultures present in GREEK cities (cities that weren't really THAT far apart distance wise, but were far apart for all practical purposes). Example: Athens and Sparta. Both Greek cities, yet very different.

Religion plays a huge part in culture. America's culture is STILL influenced by its religious heritage - going back to the Puritans of New England and forward through the various colonial religious establishments and finally into the founding era.

Immigration and race play huge roles in shaping culture. As does business and commercialism. Art, music and entertainment, of course, deeply influence (and, in many ways, reflect and DEFINE) culture.

Politics is key also. Of course, at first, politics reflects the CULTURE. But later, political decisions influence culture just as strongly. Example: the US Constitution has dramatically shaped American culture, even though IT was initially shaped by the culture itself.

However, after all is said and done about the above factors, the greatest influence on a society's culture is...

FAMILY

The family is the cornerstone of any culture. As goes the family, so goes the rest of society.