Attorney General William Barr Bill BarrFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Why a backdoor to encrypted data is detrimental to cybersecurity and data integrity FBI official who worked with Mueller raised doubts about Russia investigation MORE in a speech Friday bemoaned the "moral upheaval" of religious values in the United States, saying it has brought "suffering and misery."

Barr made the comments during an address at the University of Notre Dame Law School. He said the deterioration of religion in the country is an "organized destruction" by secularists in an "unremitting assault on religion and traditional values," according to CNN.

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"Among the militant secularists are many so-called progressives. But where is the progress?" Barr asked.

This "upheaval" has led to growing illegitimacy rates, drug use and "angry, alienated young males," CNN reported Barr said.

"The campaign to destroy the traditional moral order has coincided and I believe has brought with it immense suffering and misery," Barr said, according to CNN. "And yet the forces of secularism, ignoring these tragic results, press on with even greater militancy."

Barr said the "spiritual void" left from the demolition of religion is not filled by any "secular creed."

The attorney general is following the Justice Department's efforts to give more rights to faith-based organizations in the court system, according to CNN. The department's attorneys have been filing legal documents defending the rights of religious schools and businesses.