Civil Rights Require Sustainable Numbers!
Channel: A Quaker Speaks
Date: 2017-12-11

Those who wrote the U.S. Constitution meant to establish lasting civil rights to life, liberty, and property, both for themselves and for “posterity.” But work by modern generations is needed to complete their vision.

Civil rights were originally thought to be self-executing from human life in a state of benevolent nature. John Locke saw civil rights as arising from “natural law.” But in the mid-1850s a vastly powerful and different view of natural law would strengthen life sciences and reinforce golden rules of faiths everywhere.

“More individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive,” Darwin wrote. So, “there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence.”

If we want our revocable civil privileges to become lasting and permanent civil rights, modern realities of natural law call us to plan ahead for sustainable societies. New institutions must achieve policies, incentives, and technologies that keep human numbers consistent with the best possible future for tomorrow's children.

Only then can our civil privileges transmute into lasting civil rights. Isn’t doing that our highest humanitarian and golden ruled duty?