Why Do Today's Christians Ignore the Democracy of the Dead?

My favorite quote from Chesterton

"Tradition means giving a vote to most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead."
"Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about. All democrats object to men being disqualified by the accident of birth; tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our groom; tradition asks us not to neglect a good man's opinion, even if he is our father."

But seems some in the Catholic world and whole Christian Communities in the Protestant world are doing this. This issue is sort of touched on in a back and forth exchange that is going on at Mirrors at Justice. I might get into the main theme of that exchange later. But this Jesuit Priest and Contributor at this Catholic legal blog said something that made think of the above quote.

The fact that the ground on which any of us stand may be shifting and roiling is not an excuse not to remain faithful to what one has pledged—the turbulence of our times, or any other time, is not a pretext for not “hanging tight.” Holding on is an option, and it is viable in spite of the challenges that have been presented in the past and continue to be present today and will likely continue in the future. Fidelity is an option for priests, for husbands and wives, and for vowed religious. The fact that challenges exist and are known by the person who remains faithful to what he or she has pledged does not imply that that person is an unthinking, unreflective individual.

To the contrary, I believe with the utmost conviction that it takes authentic knowledge and it takes serious reflection to hold on to the belief in Christ and his Church and what she asks of all her members. For some, this is not possible; for others, it is not only possible, it is imperative in spite of the challenges, in spite of the roiling terrain, in spite of what the culture suggests or dictates or forces. To succumb to whatever temptations the present age may offer as a lure is not the option for some who are committed to their vows (as priests, as religious, as married husbands and wives), to their Church, to their faith, or to one another. It would be wrong to assume that only the present age has experienced “cultural transformation.” This transformation—this roiling—has been going on since the beginning of human history. For those who place stock in the doctrine of original sin as I do, cultural transformation has gone on since Eden and continues to the present age. But, cultural transformation is not an excuse, not a justification, not a permission to abandon what a person has vowed in faith, with knowledge, and with reflection. I think God has very much to do with the fidelity of which I speak and little to do with the cultural transformation of which Susan’s friend speaks.

How true. When did Christians become so arrogant that they think they NOW have the full wisdom of truth and can turn Christian Doctrine on its head at whim. Is it because as Chesterton said they happen to be "merely happen to be walking about."?

UPDATE- One of my favorite things I do is go say my Rosary in a graveyard. I started doing this when I was in South Louisiana. There it is very effective because so many tombs are above ground and the DEAD are right in your face. In reminds of you of your place in the world. Perhaps a lot of Theologians should do the same.