In a time where debates over religion and personal freedom seem more intense than ever, a brand-new presidential commission has kicked off its work with a bold mission: defend religious liberty in America.
And at the heart of its first hearing, Bishop Robert Barron wasn’t shy about raising the alarm.
Bishop Barron Warns About a Culture of “Self-Invention”
Speaking at the June 16 hearing in Washington, D.C., Bishop Robert Barron—who leads the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota—called out what he sees as a growing threat to religion in American society.
Echoing a warning once delivered by Pope Benedict XVI, Barron said the problem is something the late pope called the “dictatorship of relativism.”
Barron used his own words to describe it: a “culture of self-invention,” where personal autonomy overrides objective truth.
In simpler terms, he’s concerned that people are deciding their own meanings and values at the expense of shared moral foundations—especially those grounded in religion.
Faith Pushed Out of the Public Square?
Barron argued that this growing mindset doesn’t just disagree with religion—it sees religion as the enemy.
Why? Because traditional faiths often stand for moral absolutes and divine truth, which clashes with the idea that individuals can define their own purpose.
He warned that this leads to religion being pushed out of areas like education and health care.
And he wasn’t alone.
Other members of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission and its invited guests echoed these concerns, saying the government—both at the federal and state level—is increasingly creating laws and regulations that restrict religious freedom.
From Healthcare Battles to School Curriculum Fights
Several high-profile legal battles were raised during the hearing.
One was the well-known case of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who fought to avoid covering contraception in health care plans due to their religious beliefs—a fight they won at the U.S. Supreme Court.
But according to the commission, similar battles are still going on in places like New York.
Parental rights in schools also took center stage.
One example discussed was an ongoing Supreme Court case in Maryland, where parents are being denied the right to opt their children out of lessons involving gender identity—even at the preschool level.
Big Names and Strong Opinions at the Table
The commission is made up of 14 members, including two Catholic leaders—Bishop Barron and Cardinal Timothy Dolan (who was absent due to travel delays).
It’s chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and includes well-known figures like Ryan Anderson from the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Pastor Paula White, TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw, and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also spoke during the hearing.
She claimed the current president is serious about reversing the decline of religious liberty, describing the commission’s role as “vital.”
She didn’t mince words when it came to criticizing the previous administration under President Biden, pointing to the prosecution of pro-life advocates, federal investigations into traditionalist Catholics, and church closures during the pandemic as key examples of what she sees as religious overreach.
The Right to Worship—and to Live Your Faith
A recurring theme during the hearing was the idea that religious freedom isn’t just about being able to attend church—it’s also about living out one’s beliefs in daily life.
Ryan Anderson argued that people should be allowed to bring their faith into the public arena without fear of legal consequences or censorship.
Mark Rienzi, president of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, reinforced that view.
He said that “freedom to live out one’s faith” is foundational to all human rights, calling religious liberty a kind of “bellwether” for freedom more broadly.
Learning from History’s Mistakes
Rienzi offered a historical perspective, recalling Supreme Court decisions like the 1940 Gobitis case, where Jehovah’s Witnesses were forced to salute the American flag despite their belief that it was a form of idolatry.
That ruling was reversed just three years later, proving, Rienzi said, that governments sometimes go too far—but courts can step in to protect core freedoms.
“There are places in our lives where the government is not allowed to go,” he reminded the commission.
Redefining the Separation of Church and State
The hearing also tackled a big constitutional question: how separate should church and state really be?
Historian Mark David Hall argued that the First Amendment wasn’t meant to create a “religion-free” public square, but rather to keep the government from interfering with religious institutions—not the other way around.
Former Notre Dame law professor Gerard Bradley added that America’s founders never intended to “banish” religion from public life.
He said the government can and should encourage religion—not in a sectarian way, but as a general public good.
Dr. Phil Weighs In
TV host Dr. Phil McGraw, one of the commission members, gently pushed back during this discussion.
He asked whether promoting religion might cross the line from encouraging faith to limiting personal choice.
But Bradley responded by saying that just as government promotes family and marriage, it should feel free to promote religion—so long as participation is voluntary and respectful of everyone’s rights.
What’s Next for the Commission?
The commission’s work is just getting started.
Over the next year, they’ll produce a full report with recommendations for how President Trump can safeguard religious liberty in the U.S.
As the debates over faith, freedom, and government interference continue, this commission seems determined to make the case that protecting religious liberty isn’t just about Sunday worship—it’s about how Americans live their values every day.