In the hours following the horrific killing of 31-year-old conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, several of his old tweets began circulating on X. One in particular from June of this year is worth meditating on as the country grapples with this tragedy, how we got to this point, and where we go from here.
“When things are moving very fast and people are losing their minds, it’s important to stay grounded,” Kirk wrote on June 17. “Turn off your phone, read scripture, spend time with friends, and remember internet fury is not real life. It’s going to be ok.”
The context of the post was unclear at the time, but it seems especially prescient now – it’s as if he somehow knew that we would need his ever-reasonable voice even after he was gone. Every decent American should demand justice for Kirk’s death and call out the incessant liberal fearmongering nudging the most fringe elements of the left toward acts of violence like this. But as Charlie wisely advises, the best way to accomplish those goals is to stay grounded and to refuse to succumb to the same maddening echo-chamber mentality that most certainly led to this tragedy.
In the hours after Kirk’s death was announced, many leading Democrats did the right thing by offering prayers for his family and condemning political violence. But among the progressive activist class and on some cable news networks, we saw a far more disturbing and repulsive reaction that only re-affirmed the wisdom of Kirk’s words.
Moments after Kirk was shot, MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd appallingly suggested that it could have been “a supporter shooting their gun off in celebration” before explicitly blaming Kirk for his own death. (The network has since cut ties with Dowd.) The X account Libs of TikTok then shared a montage of leftists celebrating the assassination. Another collection of screenshots from the left-wing X alternative BlueSky shows dozens of users saying they are glad Kirk is dead and calling for other high-profile conservatives to be “next.”
These are individuals who are utterly morally bankrupt. But while they should be condemned, if we’re to stop the escalating trend of left-wing political violence, it is critical that we ask how so many people can become so consumed by hate for someone who simply debated people on college campuses.
The education system, Hollywood, mainstream media, and even some elected Democrat politicians are all part of that answer. But as Kirk alludes to, the problem is even deeper than that.
We live in a world today that is increasingly divorced of the things that have always kept human beings grounded and sane. Our society has abandoned religion, which provides context for our place in the universe. We have abandoned family, which provides purpose and helps remedy our naturally selfish desires. And we have abandoned community, instead turning to online echo chambers that re-affirm our worst thoughts and impulses instead of challenging them.
Volumes can and should be written on the myriad causes for these developments. But the question now before us is what to do about it. What will our act of rebellion against this culture of hate and violence be? Again, I think Kirk’s wise words give us the answer.
Charlie Kirk was so impactful precisely because he was willing to go into the proverbial lion’s den and stare this evil in the face. But he did not do this for personal satisfaction or to generate clicks – although he did generate plenty of clicks. He did it because he was driven by a deep-seated desire to change hearts and minds, and because he believed that honest and open debate could exorcise the demons like those now driving many on the left to celebrate his death.
Kirk built his brand and career through provoking controversy and passionate discussion, but he also reminds us that ideological debate and political disagreement are not the end-all-be-all of human existence. As heartbreaking videos of him with his wife and two young children clearly show, his greatest joy was being a husband and a father.
What made Kirk’s activism so powerful is that he understood that the entire point of engaging in political debate is not to “own the libs” or even to win elections. Those goals are merely stops on the road to the ultimate prize, which is creating a culture that promotes strong families, strong faith, strong communities, and human flourishing.
In this light, one of the best things we can do to carry on his legacy, and to fight back against the ideological cancer that led to his death, is to do exactly as he says. Put down the phone. Hug your kids tight. Take a walk in the park with a friend. Dust off the Bible. Pray. Those small acts of rebellion make all the difference in the world.
Nothing can bring Charlie Kirk back. But in the wake of his death, we can choose to be inspired by the example of his life, to live like he did – to make the most important things the most important things. That’s a battle worth fighting.
Shane Harris is the Editor in Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.
I was not aware of Charlie Kirk before he was murdered. His faith is admirable. I pray for God to raise up 100 more people to take up his mission. We can show the liars who inspired such savagery they have not succeeded in making us afraid. We can do everything we know to expose the lies that have been fed to people every news cycle, and over the internet. There are forces that consistently paint us as being what they are. They are haters, violent, fascist, deceptive, greedy, power usurpers, and control freaks. We can, in God’s love, refuse their lies, and truthfully expose them as embodying their own lies.
I am very inspired by the life and person of Charlie Kirk. You didn’t have to be near him to feel his love for humanity and his God. He visited our church and we followed his work. And we will follow him, one day, to Heaven. Sorely missed down here, Charlie.
The far left have doused a fire but in doing so they have ignited a billion embers.
Wow! That is so amazing. This reminds me so much of the assassination of Martin Luther King. The assassin just created at least 100,000 new Charlie kirks
Charlie Kirk was/is someone I look up too. I pray for him and his Family. When you combine Jesus and the Bible, kindness,Super high intelligence, pleasantness of demeanor and the GIFT of knowledge and the GIFT of speech–all for the Glory of GOD and Humanity you get an amazing person like Charlie ! He made a huge impact on my life! I am so sad but grateful that GOD gave him to us as a GIFT !
For those of us that felt Charlie Kirk’s messages were inspiring and faith filled there were those that thought it was hate speech. That I don’t understand. For those of us that believe God gave us many words to live by one of those being the Ten Commandments. Good question to ask yourself do I know them and can I state them in order and then ask your family and friends if they can do the same. You know you may be surprised in the results you get. I know for myself I had to review my ordering.
Yes. We who are still in this life should continue Charlie Kirk’s message and meet him over there.
Thank you for this insightful, heartfelt, and wise article. Charlie would be pleased by your continued call to righteous living in a dark world. We will help dispel the darkness if we lead with our light of faith that others may follow and leave the evil darkness. Our work is here. Our hope is heaven.
Amen. I was a fan of Charlie and his Socratic-like conversations with leftist, abortion-loving college types even before the last election. I should have prayed for him more. I did recommend his work to my grandchildren. May he rest in peace, but not his loving methods or his organization.
Some media hounds say “BOTH sides should stop the hate.” 90% of the hate comes from the LEFT and is stoked by the sicko media stars who wouldn’t know true journalism if it bit them on the butt! AS noted the MSNBC “guest” was fired but the host, whose speech was just as bad, remains unpunished! Charlie NEVER showed hate. He was calm and welcomed opposing viewpoints and then spoke TRUTH to them. That’s the problem: When you follow the “father of lies,” you cannot take the TRUTH!
our youth have been brainwashed to enemy status
Charlie Kirk was too good for this earth. Taken way too soon for speaking the truth and openly having a civil discussion on College Campuses. At these events his tent stated, “Prove me Wrong”. He was confident no one could as he spoke the truth. However, he was open to listening to all, and could be persuaded some if provided with factual, logical arguments. Asked what how he would wish to be remembered if he died he answered, “My courage to live my faith.” He not only professed this to others, he lived it. He told all the best way to live one’s life was put God first, marry, have kids, and profess your faith. And to find your passion in whatever you do. He did this. He was a virgin until 28, got married, had 2 beautiful daughters and professed God in everything he did. He recently said he was concerned about the far left activists and received numerous death threats. But he was not deterred. He really believed the only way forward was to have open, honest discussion. As he said, “it we lose the ability to have open discourse, only violence is left”. He said he feared all the far left had left was murder as they had lost the argument. Sadly, he was proven correct. Just recently however, when mass murderers were discussed, he said he did not hate them, but he Prayed for them to his God asking for their forgiveness. He died way too young, especially for someone who just wanted a civil discourse. Know this too. This is the first political assassination in the U.S. since 1968. God bless us all. Good bye Charlie. A job well done.
I believe there are those among us that will do anything to get attention. Albeit reflecting their horrible character, its attention. Our media, some parts, joined with their need to get ratings. Charlie Kirk was an excellent leader of a move that I believe will grow even stronger. All prayers for his wife and children and to the many who loved him.
Nothing but respect for Charlie Kirk! RIP! May his family always receive God’s grace!!
”Be still and know that I am God.” We need to remember these words of God when things don’t make sense, when things are upside down, when we are in pain, when we see no way forward. He alone can help.
What a wonderful article. I can only say Amen. If we can do only half of what Charlie stood for we the citizens of this country would live in unity, love and prosperity. Thank you Charlie for what you have started. Let us all continue his work.
It is nothing but evil, only wanting to stamp out truth.
There are only two options for every human being: heaven and hell (Matthew 10:28; 25:46; Mark 9:43;)..
See the story of the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19–31. In this account, the rich man, who had given no thought of God during his earthly life, went to hell when he died. Lazarus, who possessed nothing on earth but a pure heart, was taken to paradise..
Take heart in knowing Charlie Kirk is celebrating with Jesus right now.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Katy Tur still has HER job though! And so do all the other haters who “predicted” that Trump would somehow use this to bring more troops to more cities with terrible crime rates. Disgusting. So much for the saying “They go low, we go high.” How things change.
Excellent article. I have nothing to add, except Amen.
I knew the name but stay away from politics, per say, however, wish I had read more about this young man earlier. However, what I have read and heard, he was a fantastic young man and I know he is with our Lord. I’m praying for his family and our country because both need all the prayers we can give.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
The rats on the left will pay dearly for this, and I hope for decades to come!!!!
Hearing of Charlie’s death left me devastated. He was such a good man. He loved God, his family and our country and he worked so hard to preserve our nation as a light on this Earth. A light that the radical liberals want to extinguish forever. I heard someone say that Charlie would one day be our president. I cannot think of anyone who could fill that position any better except President Trump who was Kirk’s great friend. Seeing Hannity interview Don Trump, Jr. Brought tears to my eyes. We must find a new leader of Turning Point, but no one could ever fill Charlie’s shoes. God bless Charlie’s family and God bless President Trump who has been through such terribly tough times in trying to turn around a country that holds so many people full of hate for God, America and the American Patriots.
What a wonderful article. Thank you for your humanity. May Charlie’s soul rest, until we see him again, in the New Kingdom.
May we, as good deciples, follow Charlie Kirk’s fine example, and carry on his legacy! He started something amazing, by just being Charlie, a man of true faith! There is much work to be done to turn our beautiful world away from the evils that have been poisoning it for far too long. You are sorely missed, but I hope and pray to meet you someday. God bless not only our beloved USA, but may God bless the world. Rest in peace, Charlie…you have done well, good and faithful servant of our Lord. Amen.
Charlie Kirk’s faith, family and focus is worthy of emulating. He and his family are in my prayers and thoughts. I was amazed to see his interaction with the crowd and the enjoyment of interacting with the crowd of students. His tee shirt with the word FREEDOM against a white background, his posthumous award of the Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump are so fitting for this “Marty for Freedom. May God continue to bless his works.
Shane, the word you should have used was “exorcise”
We need to discover what and who brainwashed Tyler Robinson to do this deed. The we need to go to those people and indict them for “hiring” a hit man. Tyler was “inspired.” That kind of inspiration needs to stop.
The world is definitely in a mess! I’m particularly surprised at the information that passes for truth and the spelling that would not have made a publication without being checked for accuracy…I guess we are now dependent upon artificial intelligence (or artificial stupidity) for that task.
Example? How about exercise for exorcize?
Charlie Kirk spoke for what he believed in ,plain truth. Left is petrified of it, would bring down the house of cards . False really childish unrealistic promises, lies hate and ill will is all they have to offer. Attacking anyone questioning their agenda , just plowing through, over anything standing in their way. They ‘ve been injecting the poison of division and victimization ,and hate for anything white into students for ages. Now transgenderism is a new mantra. This assassination is only a natural development, who will hold their hateful rhetoric and poisonous ideology responsible for the tragedy. Brown shirts were results of ideology as were communists young guards. We have no problem with denouncing brown shirts, it’s the red t hat left is so fond of and promotes Hate breads hate. Death penalty for the murderers and no excuses , any lawyer advocating for the murderer should do it on it’s own time and dime, see the bleeding hearts vanish. Parole boards would be laughable had they not had tragic consequences.The real culprit is not held responsible, that is a huge problem.
Excellent article
Very well written. ????????????
I don’t think that we should be so quick to think that this murder has been solved. He may have been on the roof to draw attention; he may even have pulled the trigger but this just seems too much like the killing of JFK. The crooked Democrats killed JFK and that whole routine seems be have been repeated in Utah. Compare these 2 murders. All very much alike. I wonder if a Jack Ruby will show up ?
The problem is that good and evil has become so strong it’s in your face. As I see it ,the left has gone so far left they have become overly aggressive. Then the right has gone so far to the right, they refuse to retaliate. I think it’s about time to retaliate. If elections don’t work to change the political situation. Then “We the people ” have to do whatever it takes to put our country back to where it was. You can’t fix evil with love. I don’t care how nice you are to a snake, he will bite you. It’s just like bees and mosquitoes, if you can’t avoid them, you eliminate them!!
It is so disgusting that the left is thrilled and celebrating the heinous murder of Charlie Kirk. He reached so many young people to turn to Jesus and to live Godly, moral lives. What an amazing man he truly was. My prayers continue for his family. This Country is going to keep his legacy going strong and young people have become even more united in carrying out his mission in reaching the masses.
It proves what we all knew, the left is evil, and they are a lie, and if you openly refute their lies they will kill you. They are evil and controlled by Satan. Especially when Charlie threatened their main recruiting camps, academia, and was changing the minds of their recruits. Charlie is a martyr now, a good decent man not afraid to look this evil in the eye and tell them they are wrong. Murder is all the left has. All they can offer is lies and if you don’t believe them they try to ruin you, or if you’re influential enough, they kill you. I watched Charlie’s show everyday on RAV. I pray the seeds he planted in thousands of young minds tale root and grow, and spread.
RIP Charlie, you accomplished what God sent you here to do. Good Work!
I read Mr. Kirk’s words this morning, then the words of the assassin on the news. I can find inspiration by the one typed out on the phone, not the one etched out on a rifle and it’s ammounition. Godspeed Mr. Kirk.
He will be missed. He was a true beacon to the next generation.
Never has, “”We live in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended” been more true.
Well, IF the church would just quit worrying about losing its 501C and help their congregation understand that they need to enter the battle that is raging in America, by embracing Bible sound teaching on abortion and homosexuality, and that there is NO such thing as separation of church and state in the Bible, we would have a real army going forward into this battle that confronts us.
The irony of this leftist violence is that if it comes to some kind of civilian “war”, these loony leftist have absolutely no idea who lives in flyoverland. Who are the hunters? Who are the Veterans? Who are the gun owners and NRA members? Who has a tank in their barn? Who would actually sit on their porches at night with a shotgun in their laps? Not the deep blue folks. I grew up in Montana surrounded by hunters and outdoors folks. We all know how to shoot.
Charlie Kirk will be an excellent ruler with Christ, when the time comes.
Revelation Chapter 5:10
hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Cell phones and social media are escapes from reality. For those of us born before the advent of available TV and follow-on distractions, the escapes available were real face-to-face social interaction, reading the printed word, pursuing life. How many disallow phones at the dining table? How many seek news outside social media?
Wise words from Charlie, worth following.
What a thoughtful and God-honoring post. There are sources that are feeding this hate (ex: universities, liberal media and haters) — they are to be condemned for their hatred of all that is good in this world. I grew up in the 60s and even though there was discontent, violence was not the course of action. Society now has turned to evil all too intensely and that is not the America the young children need to grow up in. Life can be more simple — ditch the hate!
The Loony Left is going to find out what the Japanese learned when they attacked Pearl Harbor. They didn’t defeat WE THE PEOPLE , the just poked the sleeping and bear and awaked a very pissed off Giant.
Doesn’t anybody who has access to a microphone or Social Media, or Mainstream Media, be it TV, Radio or Newspaper Columns, understand that words matter. You do not personally know every member of your audience. You do not know the fragility of their mind and heart. Your words may just be what breaks them, what sends them over the edge to grab a weapon, be it a gun, a knife, an automobile or anything they can lay their hands on, and then the Country mourns yet another tragedy that is senseless.
When you blatantly tell everyone that someone who shares a different opinion, or view than you do, they must be stopped by any means because they are evil, you are telling someone out there to feel free to take aim. Those making these vile statements and inciting exactly the type of violence we have seen, especially recently, should be held accountable.
PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF THIS COUNTRY, AND ALL OF IT’S CITIZENS
STOP THE HATE SPEECH!
For those of you who are pro-life, another resurrection testimony, You Tube:Jim Woodford died and spent 11 hours in Heaven (saw how God takes care of the Aborted Babies in a Heavenly Nursery). Just want others to know.
I was looking for evidence of someone who was resurrected from the dead in our time and what they saw. You Tube; Raise from the dead by Reinhard Bonnke. A Nigerian Minister died and was resurrected from the dead in 3 days. He Saw Heaven, Worship, his mansion and the gates of Hell. Resurrected during a Reinhard Bonnke meeting. After that one I looked for more and found many. I am so satisfied that Charlie, though absent from the body is very present with the Lord. I know there is a heaven which one day I too will be in His presence. I thank God that Charlie was a strong devout Christian and for that I know he is in heaven.
Thank you for sharing.