WRT these lines, James Burnham once famously observed that "liberalism is the ideology of Western suicide."
Examine Neibuhr's warning statement, and you'll recognize it as the "justification" of the doctrine of "if it feels good, do it," "I'm entitled to feel good about myself," ends-justify-the-means, no-account "free lunch."
Which seems to be what our degenerate idea of "liberalism" has sunk to. Once upon a time, "liberalism" was preeminently about human liberty. But now, it has become a prescription for human greed, power-lust, rapine, and bondage....
Thanks for the excellent post, Remedy; and Dataman, thanks so much for the ping. May you have a blessed Easter!