There has been a sense of shock and confusion following Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference last week. Apparently, the mood in the room shifted from disbelief to outrage, especially among the German hosts.
So what was really going on?
A Speech That Missed the Mark on Humor
The attempts at humor were lamentable, with this as his best pass:
“And trust me, I say this with all humor, if American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.”
Or perhaps he was being super clever or ironic with his early remark:
“I hope that’s not the last bit of applause that I get…”
He clearly knew what was to come and that the room wouldn’t take kindly to it—a sort of private joke, perhaps.
Humor is often used to connect with an audience, to get them on your side. Yet, these moments highlight that Vance was not trying to connect at all. Instead, he seemed intent on emphasizing the distance between himself, the USA, and Europe’s so-called “commissars,” as he graciously referred to them.
As he pointedly said:
“These cavalier statements are shocking to American ears.”
He could hardly have done more to emphasize the divide.
The Real Message Behind the Speech
So, what was really going on in this speech?
The clue lies in his closing quotation and reference to Pope John Paul II and his famous exhortation:
“Do not be afraid.”
This phrase, first used by Pope John Paul II in his inaugural homily in 1978, became a recurring call for moral courage throughout his papacy. It’s a phrase loaded with historical meaning, referencing his personal experiences with totalitarian regimes and his journey towards truth.
The Story of Adam Smith-Connor
Next, consider the central anecdote of Vance’s speech.
He tells the story of Adam Smith-Connor, a British man punished for silently praying outside an abortion clinic:
“Adam was found guilty of breaking the government’s new buffer zones law, which criminalizes silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person’s decision.”
Vance frames Adam Smith-Connor as a religious martyr, punished for a quiet act of faith.
And Scotland doesn’t escape criticism either:
“Now this last October, just a few months ago, the Scottish government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called safe access zones, warning them that even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law.”
Again, it’s the same theme: silent, private prayer. The common man, martyred, suffering, and praying in silence. Vance repeatedly portrays state action as suppressing private religious expression.
A Sermon Disguised as a Speech
These two examples reveal the real speech—the speech Vance was giving privately.
This wasn’t just a policy address.
This was a sermon.
Once recognized, the religious language and references stand out across the entire speech:
From the subtle:
- “The extraordinary blessings of liberty….”
- “Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters.”
- “And thank God they lost the Cold War.”
To the downright confrontational:
“Our very dear friends, the United Kingdom, where the backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons in particular in the crosshairs.”
And:
“And consider the side in that fight that censored dissidents, that closed churches, that canceled elections. Were they the good guys? Certainly not.”
The phrase “closed churches” echoes like a bell through the conference hall.
Condemning Europe’s Moral Decay
Like a preacher condemning sin, Vance warns Europe of its moral decay, linking modern censorship to past authoritarian regimes.
Vance positions Europe as having lost its way:
“I look at Europe today, and sometimes it’s not so clear what happened to some of the Cold War’s winners.”
His solution? A kind of moral renewal:
“We must do more than talk about democratic values. We must live them.”
This sounds less like a diplomatic address and more like a preacher urging his congregation to live their faith, not just profess it.
The Baptismal Structure of Vance’s Speech
Even the speech’s structure offers insight. It mirrors a baptismal or religious journey:
- Acknowledging corruption and lost values → Europe has strayed.
- A call to renewal → “Live your values” instead of just talking about them.
- A challenge to transformation → Overcome fear and embrace true democracy.
Why Does This Matter?
It’s certainly interesting.
Vance’s speech signals a shift in how U.S. leaders communicate on the world stage.
Instead of pure realpolitik, Vance delivers a religious, values-based ideological message.
A sermon in Munich.
