"...religion is not simply a weapon -- it is the essence of the struggle itself. The Communist rulers do not fear the phraseology of religion, or the ceremonies and churches and denomination organizations. On the contrary, they leave no stone unturned in seeking to turn these aspects of religion to their own advantage and to use the trappings of religion in order to cement the obedience of their people. What they fear is the profound consequences of a religion that is lived and not merely acknowledged. They fear especially man’s response to spiritual and ethical stimuli, not merely material. A society which seeks to make the worship of the State the ultimate objective of life cannot permit a higher loyalty, a faith in God, a belief in a religion that elevates the individual, acknowledges his true value and teaches him devotion and responsibility to something beyond the here and now. The communist fear Christianity more as a way of life than as a weapon. In short, there is room in a totalitarian system for churches, but there is no room for God. The claim of the State must be total, and no other loyalty, and no other philosophy of life can be tolerated."
- John F. Kennedy: Commencement Speech at Assumption College, June 3, 1955
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