Prayer Event on National Mall to Address the Role of God in Democracy

This weekend, President Donald Trump’s “Reddedicate 250” prayer event is set to take place on the National Mall, featuring Bishop Robert Barron as a key speaker. Barron plans to discuss what he sees as the “alienation of God,” and he believes this detachment from religion poses a genuine threat to democracy.

The Rededicate 250 event, scheduled for Sunday, aims to reaffirm the notion of America as “one nation under God,” particularly as the country approaches its 250th anniversary. Organized by Freedom 250—a nonprofit group associated with Trump—the gathering is expected to attract the president, members of his Cabinet, and prominent religious figures.

Bishop Barron, widely regarded as a prominent Catholic leader in the U.S., shared his thoughts in an interview, expressing that alienating faith can jeopardize democratic principles. “God is essential to the very foundation of American democracy,” he claimed. “There’s plenty of discussion about threats to democracy today, but I see the disconnection from God as the most significant threat.”

Many of the societal issues we face, Barron argues, are rooted in this cultural shift away from God. “If you remove God from the equation, what remains? Just radical self-choice. Welcome to a world of self-invention,” he pointed out, labeling it as detrimental to democracy.

The theme of Barron’s address will hinge on the idea that religion is embedded in the core of American democratic values. He intends to invoke Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in his opening remarks, highlighting Lincoln’s mention of freedom under God. “In the early drafts, Lincoln didn’t specify ‘under God.’ But when delivering it, he made that addition,” Barron noted. “I believe he was tapping into a profound truth—that America is defined by values that are rooted in divinity.”

Barron emphasizes that the belief in the equality of all people is a groundbreaking idea largely made possible by Christianity. “Historically, thinkers like Aristotle and Plato didn’t accept universal equality. They recognized our differences in intellect, morals, and so forth. So, where does this sentiment of equality come from?” he asks. “It stems from the notion that all are ‘created equal,’ implying a shared divine parentage.”

The second concept he stresses is the notion of inalienable rights—another idea deeply entwined with American values and Christian philosophy. “Back in classical times, nobody considered these rights as self-evident,” Barron explained. He noted the irony in countries today that deny the existence of God while professing to uphold human rights. “Jefferson pointed out that these rights are endowed by a Creator. Without Him, those rights can easily vanish.”

Additionally, Barron plans to explore the meaning of freedom. “Today, freedom is often viewed as the ability to choose what you want. But that was not the perspective of our Founding Fathers, who were well-versed in the Bible and classical texts,” he stated.

He continued, “Freedom, in a meaningful sense, involves aligning our desires with goodness. You know, like mastering a new language or playing the piano—true skill comes from internalizing foundational principles.”

In essence, Barron argues for a moral kind of freedom, one that allows individuals to reach their true potential while fostering a society grounded in the divine order. “That’s the freedom we aspire to—living under God’s guidance and striving for the greater good,” he concluded.