posts

by Gabriel C. A. Capparuccia

Over the past several days, following the assassination of conservative political activist, thinker, and Christian, Charlie Kirk, there have been interesting trends on both “sides” of the issue. Simply put, on one side (I would call it the conservative side; however, that would be unfair to the liberal or otherwise lukewarm people in the middle who don’t particularly stand for anything but who are a part of this camp) we have the idea that this murder was 101% morally evil and that this in no way, shape, or form should have happened!

On the other side, there are the moral degenerates who are celebrating the death of this so called “fascist” with some even stating that it was about time someone had the guts to do it or that if this shooter had not done it, maybe they would have done it themselves. (These are not direct quotes, but these individuals and what they are saying are very easy to find on just about any social media or internet platform.) But I think it is important to look, not just at the superficial responses that are out there, but instead at why there are opposing views and what they mean in and of themselves.

First of all, Charlie Kirk, as a man, should be mourned. His murder has shaken not just the United States but the whole world. However, as a man, Charlie Kirk should not be worshipped. It is important to note that, while many have their hearts in the right place when they mourn this man whom they have never actually met, it is easy to cross the line from mourning to worshipping (or idolizing.) I had never met Charlie Kirk, however, I have been a long-time listener to what he has said on many topics and watched many of his videos which I think gives me the knowledge that Charlie, in his death, would not have wanted to be worshipped but instead, would have wanted that spotlight to be put on the One for Whom he lived, and inevitably died. That is Jesus Christ.

It is very easy, when you do not know someone personally, to idolize them, especially in this age of social media where “famous people’s” private lives are not so private. Someone might stand for something which you believe in wholeheartedly, do something which you have always wanted to do, or any myriads of examples you could imagine. So, when someone you idolize in this way dies, it is very easy to slip across that very fine line between mourning the loss and worshipping the person. I believe we have a duty to mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk as well as to support, comfort, and pray for his widow, his children, and his family.

There are millions of people worldwide coming together in the streets of major cities, small towns, into the sanctuaries of churches and the grounds of parks to celebrate Charlie Kirk’s life and mourn his death. Tens of thousands of people who may not claim to be Christians or even agree with many of Charlie’s viewpoints are participating. But why is this? I saw a comment on a YouTube video for something related to Charlie’s assassination where an individual stated, “Some people are feeling this loss and don’t even know why. The reason is because they’re feeling it in their soul. It’s the pain of pure evil.” In a recent Sunday evening revival sermon by Rev. Jeremy Hairr of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Clinton, NC, he gave an example about our subconscious attraction to Light. Rev. Hairr told the story of when he was in driver’s education and his instructor told him, “Don’t ever look at the headlights of oncoming vehicles, not even a glance, because when you look at the lights, you’ll start to veer towards them.” Charlie Kirk was indeed a light! In his life, he radiated the light of Christ, and he was not afraid to show it. It was for that he wanted to be remembered! In one interview of Charlie, the interviewer asked him, “If everything completely goes away, how do you want to be remembered?’’ Charlie responded by saying, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith…that would be the most important thing…the most important thing is my faith.” Charlie, in his life, exhibited the light of Christ; but, in his death, there has been a flash-bang of the light of Christ seen around the world!

I would risk saying that you cannot claim to be a Christian and not mourn the assassination of Charlie Kirk. This was the murder of a family member, a brother in the Faith! And I say shame on any church or pastor who is more worried about offending the members of their congregation or who can’t see past the coins they’re rubbing together in front of their noses to even mention what happened to Charlie Kirk on the Sunday morning just 4 days after he was murdered.

As for the other side of this thought spectrum, I am disgusted at the people who post videos of themselves or write out their little thoughts on “X,” or whatever platform they use, who are celebrating Charlie Kirk being killed. Thank God those people are in the very small minority! But those people need to be called out. They need to be held accountable. No American should ever celebrate the needless death of another American whether they like them or not.

I find it very interesting that members of the party of so-called “Tolerance” (the Democrat party) are so intolerant. If you look at the reaction to certain scenarios played out in recent history, you can see just how big a problem this is. After the death of George Floyd, a convicted criminal who was in the process of committing another crime when he died, there were riots, cities literally burned, widespread violence, and people on the liberal left profited immensely by being the loudest voice on the block to spread hate and dissension. What happened after Charlie Kirk was killed in cold blood for simply exercising his very basic American right of Free Speech and open peaceful debate? There are prayer vigils across the world – no call to violence, no property damage, no one profiting from his death. There is simply respect for the life that was lost and countless voices raised in defense of the principles, ideas, and beliefs for which Charlie stood.

The shooter who killed Charlie Kirk (I will not type his name and give it a place in this paper) was a “radicalized leftist,” according to FBI articles, who was in a relationship with a transgender individual. He was vocal about his hatred for Charlie Kirk, because he disagreed with what Charlie represented. The shell casings found with his rifle were inscribed with transgender ideology (again, according to the FBI) and “anti-fascist” (Antifa) ideology. The shooter apparently actually believed that Charlie Kirk was a fascist! On one of the shell casings was written the words, “Hey Fascist! Catch!” Ironically, this 22-year-old “anti-fascist” committed an act of fascism, using violence to suppress opposition and advance national goals. In many of the videos of Kirk’s Turning Point campus open-mic debates, he was accused of being a “fascist.” And most of the time, when pressed by Kirk to define fascism, the antagonists really had no idea of the meaning of the term or the ideology it represented. It has become a term that simply means “someone that Leftists hate.”  Nevertheless, I hope this killer can see from his prison cell that his goal was not accomplished. He did not suppress his opposition. He did not advance his goals. There is no doubt in my mind that this deranged human being will be brought to justice. It may not be in this life or anytime soon, but it will happen.

The question of motive still remains in the whole situation revolving around this assassination. I think it is very easy to draw our own conclusions based upon the facts and circumstances provided to us, the public. The shooter was a radical leftist who was mad at Charlie Kirk because of his decidedly Biblical stance on “Trans issues,” amongst other things. However, as the liberal news media quickly pointed out, “he was raised in a right-wing, conservative, religious household.” Well, that may be so; however, according to his family, he turned away from their ideology, becoming radical in his politics in recent years after attending a more liberal college. The liberal news media constantly pushes the idea that people like Charlie Kirk, President Trump and many other prominent conservatives are “Fascists,” “Nazis,” “White Supremacists,” etc., etc., etc., whether they actually believe it or not. And the state of mind this is creating in the young, swayable, weak-minded individuals that latch on to every word they hear online, on TV, or from their brainwashed liberal professors is causing them to be pawns in the game, playing out the violence that the real players behind it all want them to do. I am by no means defending Charlie Kirk’s murderer implying that he was just made to do it. We are all responsible for our own actions. However, he is not solely responsible. The root problem needs to be found and fixed before anyone else is murdered for their beliefs.

To conclude, I will share something that I thought was interesting. There is a video where someone “asked AI” what Charlie Kirk would say in response to all of this. Obviously, Charlie Kirk did not say this, so this is not a Charlie Kirk quote. However, no matter what your opinion on AI, this is still thought-provoking and is something to consider:

First, I want you to know, I’m fine. Not because my body is fine, but because my soul is secure in Christ. Death is not the end. It’s a promotion. Don’t waste one second mourning me. I knew the risks of standing up in the cultural moment and I’d do it all again. Second, do not let this violence divide us further. The enemy wants chaos, fear and retaliation. Don’t give it to them. Instead, double down on truth. Double down on courage. Double down on your faith and on your families. That is how you honor me. Third, remember this, America is worth it. Free speech is worth it. Fighting for the unborn, for families, for sanity in a culture gone mad, it is all worth it. So, dry your tears, pick up your cross, and get back in the fight. Do it with joy, do it with strength, and never ever let evil think it won.

Charlie Kirk’s death is working to unite the world. It is our job to do our part where we can in order to make sure that his legacy does not die with him. Charlie Kirk had an immensely meaningful life…and his death will not be meaningless!

(This paper was my thoughts and opinions except where I indicated a quote. I wanted to write my thoughts – not write a research paper – and maybe try to provoke thoughts from others.)