During a Senate nomination hearing on Sept. 3, junior Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a liberal Democrat and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 running mate, said the belief that rights come from the Creator and not government “is extremely troubling.” Kaine said flat out, “Government grants rights, not God.” He must have failed his Virginia History and Constitution 101 courses in school.
Kaine should read the Declaration of Independence and take a field trip to Monticello for a lesson on natural rights from fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson. Another famous Virginian, George Mason, could also be of assistance to Kaine. He crafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which strongly asserts that no law should infringe upon a citizen’s natural rights. Perhaps Harvard didn’t teach these important foundations of our nation to Kaine in law school.
As a born and bred Virginian, I found it shameful that my senator knows so little about the foundation of our government. It took a Texan, Sen. Ted Cruz (R), to set him straight.
Kaine said, “The notion that rights don’t come from laws and don’t come from the government—but come from the Creator—that’s what the Iranian government believes,” claiming the idea of natural rights is something from a theocratic regime. Kaine went on to say, “The statement that our rights do not come from our laws, or our governments, is extremely troubling.” He further called it a “radical and dangerous notion.” What’s radical and deeply disturbing is that Kaine believes the government grants us our rights.
Cruz responded that the notion of natural rights is “literally the founding principle upon which the United States of America was created.” Cruz then pointed out that the most prominent Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, wrote in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator.” Cruz went on to emphasize our rights were not created “by government, not by the Democrat National Committee, but by God.”
Church Leaders Must Speak Up
It’s time for church leaders to stop being silent when an elected politician attacks the very foundation of our nation’s existence. America’s founders were very clear that our rights are inalienable, which means they can’t be taken away. We’re born with them—our rights are ultimately only from God, not the government of man.
During the COVID shutdowns in Virginia, the government took a heavy hand, prohibiting military members, government employees, and even family members from attending in-person church services. Yet very few church leaders spoke up against this religious persecution. Christopher Grady, the Navy admiral responsible for that directive, still has not been fired.
In his same rant against natural rights, Kaine claimed, “I’m a devout person.” He didn’t explain what he meant by that, but clearly, he isn’t a devout Christian if he believes that government, not God, grants our rights.
Kaine claims to be Catholic, but like Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, he’s an abortion advocate who supports gay marriage. He once said that he thinks “his church” will change its teachings about marriage. Kaine also believes “his church” should change their stance and allow female priests.
Despite asserting how the Catholic Church should change its doctrine, he once said:
Just as I don’t believe Catholic clergy should dictate how I do my job representing a pluralistic society, I don’t presume to suggest what church doctrine should be.
Immediately after that statement, Kaine added:
But I offer a simple suggestion: The American hierarchy should heed the words of Pope Francis and recognize Communion as an opportunity for healing rather than an occasion for judgment.
It seems the hypocritical senator wants to create his own religion rather than abide by Catholic doctrine.
One Catholic bishop, Robert Barron, spoke out condemning Kaine’s statement. He said he found Kaine’s comments “so outrageous and so dangerous to our democracy.” Barron highlighted that the government was meant to “secure” our rights, but our rights themselves “objectively come from God.” More church leaders must follow the bishop’s example. When church leaders remain silent, it further emboldens politicians like Kaine to continue with their anti-God rhetoric.
Military men and women put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms in America, including religious freedom. Pastors, priests, and other church leaders must not remain silent. It’s time to take a stand against this vile rhetoric.
Victoria Manning is a senior investigative researcher for Restoration News.