Category Archives: equality

Letters from Exile #2: Being Human in an Age of Artifice, Part 1

August 5th, 2025 | Dr. Charlie Self

As a public intellectual I am often asked what I think are the most important moral and social issues of our day. And there are many. My starting point is always reverence for God and response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Humankind, unique among all animate creation, is deeply spiritual and we will only find our true identity and purpose when we surrender our sovereignty to King Jesus. St. Augustine, in his opening lines of Confessions, was correct when we declared, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

With this foundation of faith always in view, there are many issues that divine image bearers (all people) must wrestle with in our pursuit of a free and virtuous society (the motto of The Acton Institute).

Back to the question. Many expect me to respond with abortion, gender identity, economic policies, threats to democracy, international tensions, ethnic and racial tensions, federal and state budget crises, immigration, and/or many other issues. All of these deserve attention, and I will be commenting on them in the coming months. Underneath all these issues is one prevailing topic: The dignity and identity of the human person.

What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be male and female? For most of recorded history, the answers have been self-evident, though with many constructions and religious differences. All cultures and faiths distinguish humankind from the rest of creation, with the differences of male and female clearly demonstrated (Alas, often to the detriment of our sisters).

With the explosion of artificial intelligence, machine technology, and gender anarchy, consensus on being human is fiercely debated. Here are some questions underneath the question of what a human being is:

Are we merely the products of time and chance?
In the singularity of human-machine synthesis inevitable?
In biological sex changeable and are there an infinite number of genders?
Are human beings distinct and superior to the rest of creation, or this notion the sin of “speciesism”?
Is the biological family the most important group in society or do all people, including children, belong to current notions of the collective or state?

In this essay we cannot answer all these queries with justice. Since this is part one of many, I want to offer some foundational thoughts that can inform our discernment and thoughtfulness about human identity. Here are two insights as we begin this conversation.

Insight #1: Regardless of one’s philosophy or religion, humankind is distinct from other species because of self-consciousness and conscience, neither of which is reducible to biological functions. On the frontiers of neuroscience and religion, there is much important work unveiling the impact of positive and negative events on our bodies/brains, while still leaving room for experiences not reducible to physical sources. These qualia are baffling to naturalists, while religious devotees see them as part of being spiritual beings. The debates will go forward, but there is consensus that there is (or may be) more to being human than mere biology. Our sense of morality and ethics (even when we disagree, we are still showing evidence of notions of right and wrong), and inner dialogues are not replicated anywhere else.

Insight #2: The Book of Genesis, Chapter 1, verses 26-28 offers a vision of humankind that can be a starting place for robust conversation on identity. Here are three facets from these poetic verses sung by ancient Israel and still informing billions of people today:

All human beings, from conception to coronation, are created in the image of God. Being human means we are connected with the dust of the earth (hence all the DNA we share with other animals, especially primates), and we are filled with divine breath (ruah = spirit), with a transcendent element as part of our being. Humans are body and spirit and this is what enlivens the soul. We are not spirits trapped in bodies (Greek notions). We are not in an illusory world (Buddhism and Hinduism), for the concreteness of creation is good.
All humans have purpose: dwelling with God and doing the work of stewarding creation. We are made for worship and work, for being and doing in a seamless life of delight in God, each other, and the world.
We enjoy God and the world as male and female. Our common humanness ensures dignity and equality, while the distinction of sex expresses the divine image more fully. Biological sex is a part of the divine archetype of humanity and is not changeable. In a world impacted by the fall of humankind, we do see a small percentage of babies born with secondary sex characteristics of both male and female and genetic markers (XXY; XYY) that are different, but these rare exceptions only prove the general rule.

Being human means we are divine image bearers with purpose, and we fulfill this as men and women. There is no place for sexism or oppression, or for overgeneralizing what men and women might do as they discover their vocations.

Modern notions of human rights, from the 16^th century to this moment, rest on these foundations, even among those rejecting religion. Let’s restore clarity and dignity, affirm full equality and celebrate distinctions without reifying oppressive histories. We are just getting started and in the coming weeks we will address each of the sub-issues above as we construct a liberating vision of being human.

Being Human: Ancient Wisdom and Eternal Hope, Part 2

April 17th, 2023 | Dr. Charlie Self

Indignation concerning the anthropological anarchy of our age is understandable and moral outrage concerning the propaganda directed at vulnerable children and adolescents is appropriate. But indignation and outrage must give way to thoughtfulness and reimagination of the good so that the beauty of “normal” can recapture hearts and minds. In the last post, we shared the current gender and sexual identity crises and offered some pillars of wisdom for social progress. In this essay, we will explore the foundations for recovering our sanity and social conscience. Here are five foundations that will help us rebuild, renew, and restore virtue.

One: We begin with the bookends of the Bible: Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22. Here we see the divine design and destiny of humankind. Before you read further, I am not advocating for theocracy or demanding that everyone adhere to all the Bible. I am painting a picture of humanity that, as we shall see, is shared by most of the world, regardless of culture or religion. The poetry of Genesis 1:26-28, 5:1-2, and Revelation 21-22 presents three things about humankind that are liberating and foundational to much of our discussions on human rights:

Every person is fashioned in the divine image. Even when sin and evil enter the picture, this image is effaced, not erased.
Every person is designed to both “dwell” with God and “do” work with God, tending to communion with the divine and stewarding creation.
And every divine image bearer enjoys God and creation as a male or female. The wedding song of Genesis 2 speaks of equality and mutuality. Genesis also anticipates the eternal future of Revelation 21-22 where, “the dwelling place of God is with humankind” and the restored community brings the fruits of their (non-oppressive) labor to the Holy City.

Yes, in our fallen, imperfect world, there are some (<0.2%) intersex individuals, but this does not change the general principles. All people need compassion and welcoming friendships.

Two: With this overall dignity and equality in mind, we must labor so that all have access and opportunity to flourish. So much of human history includes male dominance, ethnocentric oppression, and religious and political suppression. Both religious and non-religious advocates of justice can unite around the flourishing of persons and communities, neighborhoods and nations. Being very vulnerable, Christian communions can do much better in fostering true equality, inclusivity, and opportunity. Too often, in reaction to pagan and secular opposition, Christians have sought refuge in fallen, subcultural gender norms that are not biblical or liberating. There is still a long road ahead for cultural and ethnic inclusion in many places.

Three: Those who live with same-sex attraction are not less human than heterosexuals. Within Christian community, both groups are called to celibacy if single. Both are called not to lust after or objectify people to whom they feel attracted. Sexual intimacy outside of the marriage of one man with one woman is morally wrong, but there is grace for those that struggle. The Bible itself is full of people violating divine norms, and when they repent, God is present to forgive.

All people must beware of their disordered loves. Our perennial problem is allowing immediate attractions to triumph over unselfish affections and actions. Too many people are letting their current (remember, it can change) erotic proclivities be key to their identities. There is so much more to every person than momentary passions! Please note: chosen gender identity is a completely different category than biological sex or race which are natural givens.

Private, consensual adult sexual behaviors are part of a pluralistic world. While the Church can stand for its virtues, we must not reimpose intolerance. This does not mean that it is intolerant to call unbiblical behavior immoral! Jewish and Muslim traditions share much of the same morality with Christians. While Buddhist and Hindu schools vary widely, all promote self-control and family harmony. Secular Stoics often join with other non-religious advocates in arguing for moral discipline concerning sexual behavior.

Four: Empirical research and rational reflections must be welcomed as antidotes to complete subjectivism and the triumph of feelings over critical thinking. It is amusing seeing the lawn signs affirming “science is real” while science is utterly ignored concerning biological identity and the consequences of wanton disregard for sexual discipline. The very few and limited studies concerning the neurology of trans identities fails to prove anything other than social influences affecting brain activity. Even uncovering potential markers for certain feelings does not change the binary nature of humankind.

Five: These issues are ultimately spiritual in nature. From the Communist Party USA platform of 1964 calling for the destruction of the nuclear family to present caricatures of “cisgender” identity, evil forces are out to, “steal and kill and destroy” humanity (John 10:10a). From AI advocates calling for man-machine singularity to earth first radical environmentalists desiring a human population half its current size (and seeing humanity as parasitical), we see the demonic designs against the goodness of being human. This is ancient paganism refashioned for modern tastes. Sexual debauchery as religious activity, killing children in and out of the womb, and sexual role reversals were all part of the idolatry, immorality, and injustices the Hebrew prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles warned God’s people about.

In contrast, people of faith have been advocates for the vulnerable, peacemakers in the midst of war, and stewards of creation instead of worshiping natural forces and hating being human. The second part of John 10:10 declares that Jesus comes to give life abundantly, overflowing…IF we receive him and follow his commands to love God and neighbor unselfishly. Contemporary haters of Judaism and Christianity think they are liberating humanity from religious oppression and that their recent notions of morality are new. The opposite is true here. Purveyors of sexual anarchy and promoters of subjectivity are actually neo-pagan adherents building a new Tower of Babel dedicated to Self.

As we stand for love and truth, we must do so with compassion and courage, hospitality and humility, always desiring for all the liberties we desire for ourselves.

July 14, 1789: Bastille Day and The French Revolution: So Much Promise; So Much Failure

July 14th, 2020 | Dr. Charlie Self

Liberté, Égalité, et Fraternité!” This cry of the revolutionaries in Paris, started a process of change that began idealistically and ended in anarchy, totalitarian rule, and complete change in the map of Europe. Bastille Day is the moment that two handfuls of political prisoners were liberated from prison. It symbolizes the end of the old hierarchies of church and state and the dawn of a new era of secular citizenship and equality. Many Americans were excited about another nation (and their ally in the War for Independence) throwing off a corrupt monarchy and becoming democratic. But the joy was short-lived as France went to war with most of Europe, secularized every institution, and, after a decade of turmoil, found herself ruled by Napoleon. What happened? Why is this Revolution so different from the American one just a decade earlier?

There are three reasons these two revolutions are NOT the same and why the one in France turned out so poorly. First is the historical context. The American colonies were quite diverse culturally and religiously, though British and Protestant sensibilities were dominant. Jews, Quakers, Baptists, Roman Catholics, and even free thinkers could flourish to some extent. This diversity led to the phrase, “E Pluribus Unum” – Out of Many, One.” France’s cultural and religious history was much different. In 1598 the Edict of Nantes offered limited toleration for Protestants; however, it was revoked by King Louis XIV in 1685 and France lost hundreds of thousands of Protestant and Jewish citizens, leaving a polarization between a reactionary Roman Catholic church and a secularizing Enlightened elite.

The second difference is the vision of the revolutionaries. The 1789-1792 era has many similarities with the USA, but after the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, secular radicalism took over and imposed a new kind of intolerance. Soon there were all kinds of ideological and verbal litmus tests of how truly “revolutionary” one was…and over 40,000 died by the guillotine, most of them original supporters of the 1789 uprising!

Thirdly, anarchy and polarization left a vacuum for a totalitarian regime to fill…hence, the rise of Napoleon. At first his rule brought order and peace, new laws, and even religious toleration. Soon, however, he set about conquering much the European continent and battling Great Britain for dominance. Within a decade of coming to power, Napoleon was one more despot and military leader full of his own self-importance.

The legacy of 1776 and the birth of the USA is one of gradual toleration and democracy. The legacy of 1789 is more akin to the 1917-1922 Communist Revolution in Russia – another land without a history of religious diversity and representative governance. Though France is a strong republic today, she is still radically secular in her corridors of power. The USA remains a haven of religious freedom and diversity, enriching its communities and offering hope to a world.