Tag Archives: propaganda

Special 2024 Election Essay: Understanding the Moment: A Call to Courage, Discernment, and Wisdom

October 30th, 2024 | Dr. Charlie Self

Political propaganda and partisan passions aside, next week’s election is very important at all levels (local, state, and federal). We are in a moment of contention and polarization, yet there are signs of hope and moderation as people pause and think about what really matters.

We do not elect messiahs. Jesus Christ alone holds this title. We do not elect kings and queens, for our Constitution prohibits royal titles. We do elect women and men to represent and serve. We bear great responsibility in our free society. We also have an unelected bureaucracy that wields real influence but is ultimately subject to elected officials.

Writing as a thoughtful Christian, my hope for our country (and all countries) rests upon a spiritual awakening that renews church and society, welcoming many to faith and seeing virtue influence all spheres of the public square. Prayer, unselfish service to others, and thoughtful conversation about serious issues are all part of seeing every neighborhood and nation renewed.

With these thoughts in mind, here are some of the obvious and sometimes hidden issues that we must consider as we make the wisest choices for our world.

Families matter and parents have primary responsibility for the worldview of their children. Far too many people are yielding control of their children to governmental agencies that may not align with their enduring values.

The economy matters and there are policies and principles that can help life be better for many. But underneath the daily issues of work and shopping is a debt crisis of historical proportions. We must elect leaders that will steward the public trust and present balanced budgets and more efficient administrations.

A hospitable and secure border is possible. It will require more security, streamlined immigration processes, and deportation of criminal elements. There must be courage from both political parties, eschewing cheap labor and cheap votes in favor of safe and welcoming policies.

We must have compassion for all people, from conception to coronation. This means no to most abortions and active euthanasia, as well and making sure the needy are cared for and our veterans are served well.

Poverty alleviation must focus on access, empowerment, and opportunity in free markets. Neighborhoods are only renewed when all sectors (church, business, social services, education, government, etc.) cooperate and create the conditions for flourishing. And ever-increasing welfare apparatus is not enough.

Peace in the Middle East must be rooted in Israel’s safety and prosperity for all. We need to remember that the only place where a rainbow flag flies safely is in Israel. When local Arab leaders courageously acknowledge Israel’s right to exist and renounce violence, there will peace.

We must reaffirm that human beings are made in God’s image and come male and female. Though there are rare intersex individuals and some truly struggle with body dysphoria, these afflictions must not be allowed to overrule nature and science. If adults want to alter their chemistry and physiology on their dime, they can; however such life-altering and permanent changes should not be allowed for children.

True toleration means living peaceably with our differences, without coercion, cancellation or threats of violence. Toleration does not mean celebration. I can disagree and still be a good neighbor.

Freedom must be rooted in virtue. We are not free to do anything we please without regard for others. We are free to follow our conscience and help build a thriving society on first principles affirmed by all thoughtful women and men.

Love must be founded upon unselfish attitudes and actions, not just passions. The phrase, “Love is Love” is meaningless. We can differ on how people arrange their lives and fulfill their desires without intolerance.

Freedom of conscience/religion is the first freedom that anchors all other (speech, assembly, redress of government) First Amendment rights. There should never be a state religion or coercion in matters of faith. At the same time, people must bring their finest values to their public lives. Religion is never, “left at the door.” Proselytizing at the wrong times and not forcing one’s faith on others are important decisions for peace in a pluralistic world. At the same time, publicly expressing convictions and quietly praying must not be subject to prosecution.

I am certain there are many more issues bearing on this moment. Global empires such as China and Russia are uniting against the West and the USA. More than 300 million Christians face severe persecution around the world. Our VUCA (volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and ambiguous) world needs faithful and forthright, holy and humble people who will worship only God, hate only sin, and desire that all find peace and purpose in Christ.

Prayers and Reflections in a Tumultuous Season, Part I

August 28th, 2024 | Dr. Charlie Self

This moment is about more than electing particular leaders. Underneath the political polarization and the cultural clashes is a spiritual battle raging for the destiny of millions. In these two essays, I want to offer prayers and insights that will help us be good dual citizens of the kingdom of God and the USA (or anywhere we are living). We must begin any reflections with our identity as God’s people who are holy exiles (Jeremiah 29; I Peter 2:9-17). Exile is NOT disengagement, a bunker mentality, or retreat from reality. Exile is engaging incarnationally and understanding all the forces arrayed for and against the purposes of God. Here are some paragraphs and prayers.

We need more thoughtfulness. In our autonomous, subjective world, we too often ditch critical thinking and careful speech, and parrot agitation propaganda rooted in ideological narratives instead of empirical and rational research and reflection. The truth of a matter can be nuanced, but we prefer clicks over conversation, emotion over ethics. We can have convictions with compassion, learn more about many issues, and debate kindly.

“Gracious and loving Lord, hear our cries for help and pleas for mercy. You are near the brokenhearted and attentive to the crushed in spirit. Come with your embrace to all suffering loss today. Bring your healing to the afflicted. Fill hearts with hope in the midst of unexplainable challenges. Use your people to bring help to the hungry, justice to the oppressed, and an invitation to new life when we surrender to you. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.”

If we lament the anger and divisiveness of public conversations, then we must not add fuel to the fire by speaking and writing reactively. Intense, lively debate over issues is vital, but playground name-calling and labeling masses of people diverts focus from serious moral and political reflection. May we find love and unity at The Table. Kyrie Eleison.

Holy Lord, search my heart and scrutinize my thoughts. I welcome your conviction leading to repentance and your compassion empowering empathy. Purify my motivations and transform my affections. May your glory and the good of others animate all I do. Displace envy with encouragement, for your kingdom has room for all to flourish. May unconditional love and uncompromising ethics win the day. Amen.

Holy and loving character will sustain us after the hype and loud noises fade away.

Certainties for 2023, Part 2

January 24th, 2023 | Dr. Charlie Self

As we look ahead to a new year, there are often feelings of hope and trepidation, a sense of a fresh start battling with nascent fatalism that wonders if life can change. The good news is that while we cannot control all the decisions of others or the events around us, we can prayerfully make wise decisions. Here are four more certainties for the coming year.

Fourthly, apocalyptic climate change propaganda will continue, along with reasoned pushbacks that call for environmental sanity that does not impoverish the working classes around the world. Global prosperity will always include a carbon footprint, and only elites sheltered from economic realities are promoting draconian policies. Thoughtful women and men will call for both/and approaches that sustain economies while developing amazing new technologies.

A fifth certitude is that many women and men will question traditional religious values and “deconstruct” their faith, while millions more find the freedom of the gospel. This paradox is reflected in the New Testament as the writers expect global evangelization and great apostasy, with awakenings matched by persecution. Serious Christians and healthy local churches will be places of intellectual, spiritual, and social refuge for women and men searching for meaning and truth. God hears the prayers and records the tears of millions crying out for an awakening.

Sixth, the gender chaos of the LGBTQIA+ movements will continue, but thoughtful men and women will offer nuanced responses to this anarchy, and its deliberate recruitment of vulnerable children and adolescents. Underneath the social trends is the deconstructionism of post-modern and Marxist ideologues that desire the end of the biological family and the remaking of human persons as transhuman group members, rather than male and female individuals with freedom. The good news is that reasonable people are seeing through the nonsense and offering ways forward that allow adults liberty while shielding children from nefarious agendas.

Finally, the new year offers an invitation from God to all: will we find our identity, peace, and rest through faith in Christ, or will we pursue our own idols and finish another year in frustration? Five questions that can help us as we aim for a flourishing life: 1) Will we live in humble reverence before God or make self-fulfillment our chief aim? 2) Will we allow the Lord to heal and bring hope, or will we wallow in fatalism? 3) Will we relate to others with love and wisdom, or see people only as a means to an end? 4) Will we discover and articulate a life mission that honors God and serves others, or live for momentary pleasures? And 5) Will we offer each day of work as an act of worship, or merely trudge along and live for Friday night? For more on these dimensions of life, go to www.discipleshipdynamics.com and discover the abundant life Christ has designed for each of us.

Please join me in welcoming the challenges and opportunities ahead. We are not alone. Our Lord is with us, and there are millions of faithful and thoughtful sisters and brothers praying for and with us.

Agitation Propaganda: Projection and Subversion

October 26th, 2020 | Dr. Charlie Self

In my writing, I aim for civil, principled conversation across ideological, political, and religious boundaries, respecting differences and aiming for consensus where possible. I am grateful for the many who join me (often with far greater eloquence and influence) in such peacemaking. But I would be remiss not to expose two tactics of the enemies of freedom: projection and subversion. These are the twin towers of agitation propaganda (known as “agitprop”) and have flourished for a century in communist and fascist societies. (One note here: the extreme Left (communist) and extreme Right (fascist) differ in some particulars but share similar roots of totalitarian control over people and societies, along with philosophies favoring particular groups [Party members or a particular race] over others.)

Projection is when one group accuses another of the very actions they are doing themselves. For example, a group of students, in the name of freedom and safety, calls for the firing of a professor that disagrees with their philosophies. Another form of projection is deflection: when individuals or groups ignore difficult questions and merely repeat their slogans. For example, a pro-choice activist was asked what she thought of recent remarks by her governor concerning his support of late term abortion and even infanticide (“Make the baby comfortable while the mother and physician decide what is best.”). Rather than answering with revulsion, support, or even a nuanced middle ground, the activist just shouted, “You want to deprive women of their access to healthcare and return to the days of the coat hanger.” This happened four times as the question was repeated. Religious adherents are declared intolerant when they refuse to support alternative lifestyles contrary to their tradition. This is projection – for the accuser is her or himself intolerant of the religious point of view (or wants it confined to private spaces!).

Subversion appears as the true agendas of groups are revealed. White nationalists and Nation of Islam adherents want to subvert the Bible, the Constitution, and a positive history of improving race relations and create completely segregated nations. Many Marxists are happy to use capitalistic and democratic means to achieve communalistic and undemocratic ends. They also combine projection and subversion when they accuse some of their own of not being revolutionary enough! Such was the case in the French, Russian and Chinese revolutions, where millions died for not being radical enough. Think about these historical illustrations:

The Nazis burn the Reichstag (parliament) building, blame the communists, and use it as an excuse to kill and imprison thousands (projection and subversion).
Lenin spoke of his need for capitalistic “useful idiots” to fund his revolution (subversion).
Closer to home, “Rules for Radicals” author Saul Alinsky advocates to creating chaos and dissatisfaction (subversion) and making sure no other peaceful solutions get in the way the radical agenda.
Radical Islam promotes deception and temporary truces with opponents as part of the long play for domination (subversion). Anyone who does not honor their Prophet is pronounced a blasphemer and subject to severe penalty, even as they claim victimhood status (projection).
And today, several extremist groups in the USA are calling for an end to nuclear family, and end to free enterprise, and overturning particular religious influences (subversion), as well as declaring all their opponents’ oppressors (projection).

May we examine our hearts and choose advocacy over mere accusation and acceptance of complexity over childishness. Let’s keep projection and subversion far away as we pursue peace and justice.

There are Answers: If We have Courage

April 2nd, 2018 | Dr. Charlie Self

This is the beginning of a series entitled, “There are Answers: If We Have Courage.” We will examine what many regard as intractable and unsolvable issues. We will fearlessly look at economic justice and the future of work, tax reform, immigration, Middle East policy, human identity, including gender, sexuality and transhumanism, racial tensions, religious freedom, academic and intellectual liberty, political polarization and principled compromise and global/local culture and life.

As always, we will distill insights from as many perspectives as possible – within the bounds of axiomatic principles and critical thinking. Conservatives may balk as the complexities of institutional transformation are evaluated. Liberals will worry that emphases on personal responsibility and certain enduring values will reverse gains in liberty. Good! We need deliverance from narrow ideological agitation propaganda.

In this essay, two issues foundational to all the rest will be examined: 1) the crisis of human identity/nature (anthropology); and 2) the crisis of objective knowledge and truth (epistemology). Without clarity on who we are and what we can know, all dialogue devolves into subjective opinion, with any critical comments deemed intolerant or a microaggression. Without such clarity, human freedom is confined to certain private experiences and life is increasingly controlled by a totalitarian state, since people “need help and cannot care for themselves.”

What does being human mean? Diverse philosophical and religious traditions answer this question in a variety of ways, from accidental evolutionary materialism to bearing the image of God. Are we merely highly evolved animals or divinely-crafted beings called to steward the rest of creation? Is human nature defined by physical processes alone or in there a unique interaction of body and spirit, brain and mind? In addition to our basic identity, are humans (like most of nature) either male or female or is there an almost infinite spectrum of identities?

Regardless of worldview, most people through most of history have not questioned the unique nature of human beings and the basic binary realities of male and female identity, albeit with a variety of opinions of erotic affections and actions.

Going forward, our American and global experiments in ordered liberty rooted in truth and virtue rest on humankind being uniquely endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights and responsibilities. Anything less than this and we devolve into arguments over blood and soil, raw scientism or fantastical speculations on human/machine singularity.

What about our foundations for knowledge? Until a half-century ago in the West, a basic correspondence theory of truth allowed for both cohesiveness and spirited debate, unity of essential facts and diversity of interpretations. No one argued whether certain events actually happened, though their impact and interpretation made for lively discussion. Today, we are told that there is no objective “there” – all we can do is interpret stories and hopefully find some convergence with shared narratives and opinions. Former President Obama’s two (!) pre-presidential autobiographies are perfect examples of ideological fabrication. Why do we need his “composite” portraits of friends and mentors? Why can we not have access to his records and writings? Why? Because history no longer stands on its own – it must serve the purposes of political advocacy. Beyond historical narrative, our epistemic crisis has fueled the same subjectivism for private and public morality, gender confusion and even allowed some to question full freedom of conscience and speech!

The uniqueness of being human and the knowability of the world are essential for grounding all arguments over justice and truth, love and human flourishing. Instead of marginalizing philosophical traditions, we should rediscover the wisdom of ancient texts and the goodness of contemporary research and synthesize these insights, so we can have a basis for social cohesion.

Our future as a nation – indeed as a human race – rests on this.