Alan Barth Quote

“The notion that the church, the press, and the universities should serve the state is essentially a Communist notion. In a free society these institutions must be wholly free – which is to say that their function is to serve as checks upon the state.”

~ Alan Barth

The Loyalty of Free Men, 1951

Ratings and Comments


Anonymous
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Anonymous    6/16/06

Yeah.. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? I love this quote.

Anonymous, Reston, VA US

Would that ours in today's America would stand up to this challenge...

Joe, Rochester, MI

The state is scaring people into giving up freedoms in churches, in the press, and in universities.

Anon
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Anon    10/14/09

Any society or anyone that stays free automatically performs as a check on any notion that demands the result from an individual's free thought should be subject to the determination of another. This is a natural effect established by the practice of individual freedom.

Mike, Norwalk

Obamunist, with his Czar ministers, his news cantors, and illuminated holy scribes are about to make life illegal in the US without forced offerings. I hope all have enough where-with-all to get you through whats comming.

Justin, Elkland

Government by its very nature opposes liberty. The question is, how does a population restore liberty without armed conflict?

Waffler, Smith

In a free society all of these institutions and "the state" should all be seekers after truth. I would hate to be under the dictatorship of any of them. Often "the state" or the people which is the same thing must check the chruch. and the press, if they become overbearing. Have you never heard of the French Revolution.

Robert, Somewhere in Europe

Unfortunately, this quote is out of date, as the state is no longer the state but capitalist's (who run the state) getting rich off the backs of the poor (mostly through debt). America no longer has a Government that represents the people but represents corporations and the wealthy elite.

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Robert, Somewhere in Europe 9/3/24

Robert, WHAT ? ? ? Under communism, the church, the press and universities only exist to serve the state. That is as true today as it ever was. The occupying statist theocracy now infesting this land is the church, the press, the universities and the state (complete with corporations = i.e., extensions of the state).

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

To not desire to serve the community is a psychotic mentality.  We are social beings foremost and all of our efforts are interconnected to promote the organizational life process of the human organism. To live life correctly and productively is the only free direction. To live correct and productive, you will find yourself a vital contribution to a promising life developing community based creature.  Humans are social social club members. 

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