Attorney General William Barr stressed the importance of religion in society, arguing that it preserves liberal democracy and prevents “totalitarian democracy,” and warned against “progressivism” in the United States.
While addressing the 2020 National Religious Broadcasters Convention on Wednesday, Barr presented an argument about the effect religion has on society. In his speech, he cited St. Augustine’s illustration of the “city of God” and the “city of man,” which he argued show how people ought to live versus how they should be governed.
The attorney general said St. Augustine’s illustration paved the way for “liberal democracy,” which values individualism, the separation of Church and state, and personal liberty. He then contrasted that view with the beliefs of the “progressive movement.”
Barr argued the Left favors the term “progressive” rather than “liberal” because it holds the same underlying values of French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the author of The Social Contract. One of the values, he says, is the veneration of “totalitarian democracy.”
“Although totalitarian democracy is democratic in form, it requires an all-knowing elite to guide the masses toward their determined end, and that elite relies on whipping up mass enthusiasm to preserve its power and achieve its goals,” Barr said.
“Totalitarian democracy is almost always secular and materialistic, and its adherents tend to treat politics as a substitute for religion. Their sacred mission is to use the coercive power of the state to remake man and society according to an abstract ideal of perfection. The virtue of any individual is defined by whether they are aligned with the program.”
Barr went on to claim that liberals have become “totalitarian in their style,” embracing “weakening religion” and what he called collectivist goals such as socialism. He argued religion is the “antidote” to “totalitarian democracy,” along with a free press and decentralized government power.
“If we are to preserve our liberal democracy from the meretricious appeal of socialism and the strain of progressivism I have described, we must turn our attention to revivifying these vital institutions,” he said before turning to the Christian media professionals in the room.
“It is therefore essential that you continue your work and continue to supply people with diverse, divergent perspective on the news and issues of the day,” he told them. “In this secular age, it is especially vital that our religious perspective is voiced.”
The attorney general’s speech echoed remarks he made in October when he warned against “militant” secularism. The Nashville convention lasts until Friday.
