Senator Tim Kaine (D–Va.)—a self-professed Catholic and supporter of abortion rights—sparked widespread outrage when he dismissed the idea of rights coming from God as “extremely troubling.” During a recent Senate hearing, he compared the notion to the ideology of the Iranian government and insisted that rights are derived from laws and government.
Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota swiftly responded, calling Kaine’s remarks “outrageous” and “dangerous to our democracy.” He reminded viewers that founding Virginians like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison anchored America’s liberty on the principle that rights are God-given. Drawing from Jefferson’s own words—that individuals are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”—Bishop Barron insisted that government does not confer rights, it protects them.
Bishop Barron warned of the consequences of Kaine’s worldview: if rights are seen as originating from government, the state assumes god-like authority, undermining the foundational principle that freedom is rooted beyond the realm of human institutions. He lamented the broader cultural trend of marginalizing religion and warned that dangerous ideologies gain traction when public life and faith are artificially separated.
Senator Ted Cruz (R–Texas) added his rebuke, expressing personal shock at Kaine’s assertion. Cruz emphasized that the Declaration of Independence clearly affirms rights are granted by the Creator—not the government or political parties. He noted that this belief is not radical, but central to the nation’s founding.
This debate isn’t just theological—it’s about defining the source of American rights. Does our freedom come from divine truth or governmental authority? For conservatives and faithful Americans, the answer is clear: rights come from God, not man.
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