When Government Becomes God: A Response to Catholic Senator Tim Kaine
New Earth Chapter 4 Continues
Enjoy the next entry of the New Earth series after the commentary below. I’m having some fun with it this week (Poor Reed!). To read the entire series, click here.
Now the commentary.
I have many memories (and more to come) of building sand castles on beaches along the shore with my children. Buckets and tools are strewn about as we furiously dig a moat, building walls to protect the castle structures from the waves. There is so much hope and excitement in our creation.
As we play in the sand, we do not notice the waves getting closer and closer, until, seemingly suddenly, the water speeds towards our castle and gets rerouted just enough to avoid material damage.
Victory!
Flash forward 15 or 20 minutes later and our castle is nothing but mud. I’ve seen it play out the same way dozens of times. The waves of the ocean will not be denied. It is a result of the relationship between our moon and Earth. It is nature’s law or natural law.
For over two thousand years, philosophers have contemplated the intrinsic purpose and universal law based on reason that bind all humans. Aristotle, Cicero, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hugo Grotius, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and others built upon one another’s works, seeking the inherent laws that govern us all.
The Founders of the United States grew up in the Enlightenment period in which natural law was a key factor. By studying and engaging with philosophers, they formed their beliefs as to what was needed to form a free country, often quoting these philosophers in their writings and papers published. The Catholic Church also played a prominent role in Enlightenment debates, particularly through its long tradition of natural law.
That’s why the Founders, nearly all of them Christians, wrote this in the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
This foundation—that rights come from God and not the state—was not a throwaway line. It was the heart of the Founders’ vision. That’s why I was puzzled when Catholic United States senator Tim Kaine said the following on September 3, 2025:
“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. It’s a theocratic regime that bases its rules on Shia law and targets Sunnis, Baha’is, Jews, Christians and other religious minorities. And they do it because they believe that they understand what natural rights are from their creator. So the statement that our rights do not come from our laws or our governments is extremely troubling.”
Watch below or click here
He goes on to say that he is a strong believer in natural rights, but because individuals may define them differently, the government should determine them. Without realizing it, Senator Kaine elevates government to the place of God.
His statement is the complete opposite of what our Founders believed and is the very thing they wanted to avoid. The Founders knew from history that government power always leads to abuse. They knew that allowing the government to determine what rights to grant its citizens would surely lead to tyranny. Moreover, Catholic natural law tradition states that rights are rooted in God’s eternal law, accessible to human reason and not bestowed by governments.
God has provided each of us with certain unalienable rights.
That must remain the frame of reference for Catholics—and for all who value liberty. Without it, we are only building on sand. And when the waves come—as they always do—the foundation will wash away.
Peace.
New Earth, Chapter 4 Continues
Tao, Reed, Asia and Max all looked at each other. With Max’s voice still reverberating through the space station, Tao said to Asia without any concern, “We’ll wait in our room.”
Asia stepped forward and then froze. She couldn’t move, and strangely, her mind wasn’t alarmed. “Room 303B,” she said flatly.
Tao began to drag Reed toward the Delegation dormitory. Still feeling ill and covering his mouth, Reed echoed, “We’ll…wait…in our room.” His weak attempt to wave at Asia went unnoticed.
The corridor was long and white, curving sharply, lined with doorways. Grimacing, Tao dragged Reed—thirty pounds heavier than him—a few doors down. Reed’s head bumped against a doorway.
“Ow!” Reed shouted. “Careful.”
Tao looked back. “Sorry, partner.” He looked at the door. “303B. Nice work, Reed. You found the room.”
Reed tried to smile as the door slid open automatically. Their bags were already inside the furnished room.
Reed said, “What are we waiting for? Let’s go inside. I just want to lie down.”
Tao noticed movement—a shadow down the hall.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a woman’s voice called out. “Max will be here any minute. And he’s got friends.”
Tao said, “How do I know I can trust you?”
“You’re going to have to,” she said. “You don’t have another choice.” She stepped into view from the curving corridor. “Besides, we met earlier.” It was Liberty, the woman from the Freedom Delegation.
“Can he walk?” She pointed at Reed.
“I’m fine!” Reed stood up and promptly fell against the wall. Tao caught some of his weight, steadying him.
“But can I sit just for a minute?” Reed muttered.
“She’s right,” Tao said. “We’ve got to go.”
Reed shook his head. “Give me a minute. And go where? We’re thousands of miles above a spinning planet, trapped in a spinning station, that just keeps going and going and won’t stop—ever!” He gagged, clutching his stomach before turning aside to vomit.
Wiping his mouth, with remnants still clinging to his face, Reed managed a weak smile. “At least the nausea’s gone.”
“Come on!” Liberty shouted, darting out of view. “And try to keep up!”
Tao and Reed hurried after her, moving as fast as they could. Where she was leading them, Tao had no idea. All he knew was that it was away—or seemingly away—from Max. He had work to do for The Formation and didn’t have time to be stuck on a space station for five years. It seemed that Liberty felt the same.
After a minute of running, Tao called out, “Where are we going?”
Liberty stopped just at the threshold of the next section of the Delegation dormitory—an open area with curving windows all around.
When Tao and Reed caught up, they followed her gaze to a black spaceship docked onto the other end of the space station. Liberty pointed. “That’s where we’re going.”
Tao and Reed exchanged a look—fear clear in both their eyes.
“Get them!” Max shouted, his metallic boots pounding their floor as he closed in. “Really—this is all a misunderstanding.”
Reed turned to Tao. “Why don’t I believe that?” More footsteps thundered onto the floor.
“I’ve got a plan,” Liberty called, breaking into a run. “Trust me—or don’t!”
They had no choice but to follow. Whether Liberty would save them—or deliver them back to Max—they were about to find out.