War is the greatest threat to the modern family, Rep. Ron Paul told an audience filled with social conservative activists today.

Speaking to a packed crowd at the Values Voters Summit in Washington D.C., the Texas congressman  said that wars in the last decade cost  thousands of soldiers’ lives.

Paul added that many more were left jobless as trillions poured out of the economy.

Republican presidential candidate, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, speaks at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

“When you lose a job, it’s hard to keep the family together,” said Paul.

Throughout the 20-minute speech punctuated with applause and several standing ovations, Paul managed to weave in several biblical themes molding it with his libertarian philosophy.

Drawing inspiration from the Book of Samuel, Paul said that America was relying too much on its sprawling federal government.

“We have too long relied upon our king in Washington and we have to change that,” said Paul.

One of the biggest lines that generated applause came when Paul asked the audience, “Why is it that we don’t fight to keep the fruits of our labor?”

He ended his speech by pointing to the last century as being detrimental to America- a comment tailor made for libertarians and social conservatives alike and a clear shot across the bow of progressives.