the idea of fraternity in america

        In the book, The idea of fraternity in America by Wilson Carey McWilliams, the quote that stand out to me is "In ancient Israel, it was considered a moral obligation to release one's brothers from  debt during the Sabbatarian year, and those who did not (they were many) were considered, and considered themselves, sinners; in modern America, anyone who forgave his debtors every seven years will certainly be a deviant and would probably be suspected of a mental defect".
       By this the author is saying that in ancient  Israel it is a moral duty to forgive someone of the debt by doing so you are not doing anything wrong its normal in that society to do so and if one does not do it he is considered a sinner where as in modern American culture it is seen as the opposite to forgive someone of their debt. it is more abnormal and not a moral no legal duty to do so. one who do forgive his brother is suspected to have mental inadequacy. Mc Williams is saying that the idea of fraternity in American society is not clear compared to fraternity in other societies.
      Fraternity is an affectionate relationship  among brothers, they mutually support and look out for each other and share similar interest including religion and politics etc. It should not be abnormal to forgive your brother of debts after some years.  In my honest opinion this means to me that the definition of fraternity is not clear or it is selective in modern America.