“Before Wednesday, Charlie Kirk was a young man inspiring young people. After he was killed, he has become a titan whose inspiration will move through eternity inspiring millions of people for decades to come.” – Taylor Budowich, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Personnel.
What made Charlie’s ministry so effective? His message carried power because it spoke directly to the issues of our time. Yet it was more than just relevant – it was grounded in his conviction that the values and ethics found in God’s Word provide the firmest foundation for truth. This week, American Vice President JD Vance hosted the Charlie Kirk show, where leading political figures such as the President’s Chief of Staff, the Press Secretary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside public voices like Tucker Carlson, paid their respects. Many of us never fully realised the extent of Charlie’s influence in not only building a conservative base amongst young people, but also the effect he had on shaping public policy. Because of this, many hated him, vitriolically, as we’ve seen in the abhorrent celebration of his death. In concluding the show, JD Vance addressed this head on. He said,
“I really do believe we can come together in this country. I believe we must. But unity, real unity, can be found only after climbing the mountain of truth. And there are difficult truths we must confront in our country. One truth, is that 24% of self-described very liberals believe it is acceptable to be happy about the death of a political opponent while only 3% of self-described very conservatives agree. Now 3% is too many of course. Another truth is that 26% of young liberals believe that political violence is sometimes justified and only 7% of young conservatives say the same, again too high a number… People on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence. This is not a both sides problem, if both sides have a problem, one side has a much bigger and malignant problem and that is the truth we must be told. That problem has terrible consequences.”
Many on the left have been quick to condemn the appalling celebrations of Charlie’s death, with some Democrats publicly distancing themselves from such behaviour. The research does show that nearly three-quarters of young liberals reject political violence. Yet the fact that 26% believe it is justified is still far too high.
One truth JD Vance reminded us of is this: political violence is never justified. Charlie Kirk exemplified this truth.
As Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, we are called to be peacemakers – not simply to keep peace, but to actively create it. Making peace requires us to confront that which is destroying it and this takes courage. The Apostle Paul encourages us in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for our political leaders that there may be peace. This is an important encouragement: a peaceful nation is also a free nation. And in a free nation, the Gospel can advance unhindered by political resistance.
Freedom is under attack in our nation. Laws are either being drafted or passing that silence Christian beliefs. In many states, it is illegal for believers to pray with or counsel
a friend who is struggling with gender or sexuality issues. This authoritarian law dictates that one must only affirm transgender behaviour or homosexuality, even if the person is genuinely seeking to live a godly life.
The erosion of freedom is no longer hypothetical. In the past month, child psychiatrist Jillian Spencer who disagreed with gender-affirmation ideology, was fired from her job and Kirralee Smith was fined $200,000 for vilification after raising concerns about transgender soccer players. This is the result of new legislation stifling freedom of speech. These laws are justified to enhance social cohesion, but they do the opposite. They silence reason, dialogue and peaceful disagreement by controlling speech and making ideas and beliefs illegal.
As Christians, we need to stand in opposition of these tyrannical mandates and help lawmakers to understand that by seeking to create unity, they are eroding it. If they continue to push in this direction it will lead to civil unrest as is the case in America and the UK. Can Australia avert this path? I hope so, but I’m not optimistic. Perhaps we’re already there. In any case, our call as Christians is to speak truth regardless of the consequences. The moment we are silenced is the moment we lose. But be encouraged. For over 2000 years there have been relentless efforts to silence the Church; yet every one of them has failed. The Gospel continues to spread, and now Charlie joins the great cloud of witnesses, spurring us on to run the race with perseverance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew 12:1-3 (NIV)
