Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently delivered a speech in Munich that resonated deeply with many, moving beyond the immediate crises of our time to explore the very soul of Western civilization. He didn’t dwell on the headlines of war or economic anxieties, but instead, eloquently traced a lineage of shared values – from the verses of Dante and the majesty of the Cologne Cathedral to the enduring power of Shakespeare, the birth of democracy, and even the revolutionary sounds of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Rubio’s argument, echoing the insights of thinkers like Pope Benedict XVI and historian Christopher Dawson, centered on a profound connection: culture is inextricably linked to belief. The things we hold dear, he suggested, are rooted in something we value even more deeply. He boldly identified the Judeo-Christian faith as the foundational source of the West’s greatest achievements, a wellspring that must be rediscovered to restore a sense of unity and purpose.
The response was striking. A sustained standing ovation greeted his words, suggesting that even a skeptical audience sensed the genuine conviction behind his message. It was a moment that hinted at a longing for something beyond the purely material, a yearning for the spiritual roots that once nourished both Europe and America.
However, not everyone shared this sentiment. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also in Europe at the time, dismissed Rubio’s focus on Western culture as “thin,” arguing that all cultures are fleeting and ultimately insignificant. She proposed shifting the focus to the “material” realities of society – the struggle between classes – a perspective that immediately raised concerns.
To characterize the culture that birthed universities, individual rights, and democratic governance as “thin” is a startling claim. But more troubling is the distinctly Marxist undercurrent of her argument. This ideology, championed by Karl Marx, prioritizes economic conflict above all else, viewing culture – art, literature, religion – as mere tools to maintain existing power structures.
This isn’t a subtle influence; it’s increasingly overt. Recent pronouncements from figures like New York Mayor Mamdani, praising the “warmth of collectivism,” and his aides, openly discussing government seizure of private property, reveal a willingness to embrace Marxist principles. This unapologetic display should be a wake-up call for all Americans.
Those drawn to this ideology should consider the lived experiences of those who have endured its consequences. Speak to those who fled the oppression of Russia, Eastern Europe, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, or China. It’s doubtful they would find comfort in the “warmth of collectivism,” having witnessed its chilling reality.
As a bishop of the Catholic Church, this trend is particularly alarming. Marx famously declared that the critique of religion was the essential first step towards revolution, dismissing faith as an “opium for the masses” – a distraction from genuine suffering and a justification for oppression. His followers, from Lenin to Stalin to Mao, consistently targeted religious institutions as part of their power grabs.
While some may view this resurgence of Marxism as intellectually stimulating or even fashionable, its historical record is undeniable. It is a chilling reminder of the dangers of ideologies that prioritize collective control over individual liberty and seek to dismantle the foundations of faith and tradition.
