[Mrs. Don-o]

"No, people really didn't refrain from it all that much, they were just way more hypocritical about it."

Not quite: in the past, thoughtless, heartless, careless, illicit sexual behavior was seen as being bad: people who behaved badly, sexually, either didn't repent, and developed seared consciences and hard hearts; or they repented, and grew to be people of good conscience and good heart. Society in general --- at some periods of our cultural history --- encouraged the good.

The difference now is that society in general relentlessly reaches for your wallet via your crotch. That makes it much harder to be good, or even to know, deeply, what "goodness" is.

[Fairview]

Thank you; excellent point.

[redgolum]

The difference now is that society in general relentlessly reaches for your wallet via your crotch. That makes it much harder to be good, or even to know, deeply, what "goodness" is.

Which sums it up rather completely.