Bishop Robert Barron has sounded the alarm on the rise of extreme socialists and communists in the United States. According to Barron, one of the primary reasons communists fear religion is because it stands in the way of their totalizing system. Communism seeks to control every aspect of society, including education, entertainment, communication, politics, and economics.

The Role of Religion in Society

Religion, on the other hand, declares that all societal expressions are under the judgment of God. This means that there is an objective moral criterion by which all aspects of society can be evaluated and limited. The Bible, in particular, refuses to deify its leaders or political arrangements, instead portraying them as flawed and accountable to a higher power.

This is why the non-establishment of religion and its free exercise, as enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution, is so vital. By giving religion the freedom to operate independently of the state, the framers of the First Amendment allowed religion to play its critical role in checking the power of government.

The Communist Threat to Religion

Communists, therefore, see religion as a threat to their authority and seek to eliminate it. This is evident in the way communist regimes have treated religious believers throughout history, from the Soviet Union to China, Cuba, and beyond. The suppression of religion is a necessary step in the establishment of a totalizing communist system.

Barron urges his fellow believers not to be complacent in the face of this threat. The success of radical socialists and communists in the US electoral process poses a real and present danger to religious freedom. He encourages believers to vote, speak out, and get organized to protect their rights and freedoms.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.