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At the recent confirmation hearing U.S. SenateDemocratic Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia actively argues that our rights come from God.
“Our rights do not come from our laws or government statements, or our government is extremely disturbing,” Kane said.
Kaine’s comments are certainly outrageous, and it’s a delicious irony: VirginiaThe states that Senators serve are Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who both believe that this is the basis of our democracy and that our rights come from not government, but from God.
Senator Tim Kaine spoke at a confirmation hearing on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, DC on July 15, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Jefferson famously wrote in the Declaration of Independence: “We believe that these truths are self-evident.
Protecting our 250-year Declaration of Independence
This means that the government has neither invented nor justified our rights; instead, in the words of a statement make sure them. Our The rights are here forward governmentThey came objectively God.
Also think of Jefferson’s familiar word: “Inalienable.” These rights are inalienable precisely because they are indeed no From the government. If the government is the arbitrator of our rights, then it can take them away. If the government is their effective cause, then it may change them.
If you think this will never happen, you don’t know much about modern history. Look at the great totalitarian system of the 20th century: denial of God’s denial God-given rights – In turn, whenever the government’s purpose is achieved, the claim of rights becomes very alienated.
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Professionalism is extraordinary American politicians Don’t understand this pillar of the American democratic system. God helps us – I mean, literally – if we say our rights come from the government, God will help us because it gives the government a power of God that never made sense.
As Lincoln said in his speech at Gettysburg, we are a nation “under God.” It’s not just a devotional decoration. This is a powerful political statement. Our government acknowledges from external Government – Rights owned rather than established.
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The fact that this language is being used – not only Tim Kaine, but also used by others (see My answer It was really disturbing for MSNBC reporters last year. I think this is an outcome, the marginalization and privatization of organized religion, which is the basis of our democracy.
As a Catholic Bishop and a proud American – happy to follow Thomas Jefferson at this point – I encourage you to celebrate us Inalienable rightsand resist such dangerous remarks.
Click here to read more from Bishop Robert Barron
