" There is an absolutely fundamental hostility on the part of totalitarian regimes toward religion. "
- Jeane Kirkpatrick

The statement suggests that governments operating under totalitarian systems inherently view religion with considerable suspicion or even outright hostility. This implies a fundamental conflict between religious institutions and those who wield absolute power, where rulers often seek to control or suppress faith-based activities as they pose a potential challenge to their authority.

On a deeper level, the quote highlights broader tensions within societies governed by totalitarian regimes. Religion typically promotes values such as morality, justice, and freedom of conscience, which can clash with the rigid control and ideological conformity demanded by totalitarian states. Therefore, the hostility towards religion serves not only as a means to maintain power but also reflects the regime’s fear that religious beliefs might inspire resistance against their oppressive policies or encourage citizens to question their absolute rule.

Jeane Kirkpatrick was an American political scientist, diplomat, and scholar who served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1981 to 1985. She was known for her conservative views on foreign policy and her analysis of authoritarian versus totalitarian regimes. Her insights have been widely respected within academic circles and among policymakers for their clarity and depth.