by Mitch Prosser
Guest Columnist
North Carolina Family Policy Council
This past Wednesday, along with millions across the country, you and I watched the flurry of social media posts and network news surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. At just 31 years old, Charlie left behind his wife and two young children, and millions of people asking just as many questions.
The ensuing aftermath, once his death was announced, elicited countless emotions from onlookers from every facet of society. From anger and outrage to sadness and despair, there were thoughtful tributes, social media tirades, and even cable news personalities blaming Charlie and people in the crowd for what happened. President Trump and even the New York Yankees took time to honor the life of an American who so many are going to miss.
Later Wednesday evening, I received several text messages from people across the country, both young and old, with the same general tone. Nearly all of them expressed a concern for what was going to happen next. Would there be violence? Would Charlie Kirk’s legacy continue? Would the country we love ever look the same? As I’ve reflected on this cultural crossroads and inflection point in our nation’s history, here are a few actions that I believe we can all take right now.
CULTIVATE YOUR FAITH
Each one of us is on a faith journey. At times we take our convictions very seriously, and other times we gloss over the importance and reality of our spirituality. From what I understand, Charlie Kirk did not burst onto the scene in 2012 as a faith leader, but somewhere along the way his faith in Jesus Christ became very real to him, and he chose to speak boldly about that faith.
In this moment, you and I have a choice to make. We can carry on with business as usual, or we can take the time to reflect on the course of our own journey. The brokenness and tragedy of this world reminds us that we desperately need hope. There is hope! Charlie often spoke about God who wants a relationship with us.
We were designed for connection. As we grow deeper in our beliefs, faithful interaction and participation in a faith-based faith community is vital to our spiritual health. There is no doubt that finding a place where you can worship with others will help you grow deeper and stronger.
ABANDON MORAL RELATIVISM
For quite some time, there has been a notion of moral relativism that has been pervasive in our culture. The confusion that this relativistic way of thinking creates is dangerous and unhealthy. The unsteady feeling we get when we watch the aftermath of something so tragic as the assassination of Charlie Kirk is the aftershock of this relativistic decay.
When people have no firm foundation on which they can know and understand and live truth, we are in serious need of course correction. There is good in this world, both moral good (righteousness) and benevolence. There is also real evil in this world, both in theory and in practice. One may contend that both good and evil are in the eye of the beholder according to “their truth.” But can what is good for one be evil for another? This dissonance occurs because two different sets (or more) of rules are being applied.
Now is the time for us to be on the same page. The assassination of Charlie Kirk was and is evil. There is no moral good that was done by his murder. Political violence is wrong and has no place in our country. Someone purposefully chose to end the life of another where there was absolutely no element of self-defense. That is wrong. We must rally around a standard and set of principles which guide us collectively and get on the same page. We can do good to others because of the goodness that has been given to us by God, or we can choose to do evil and wrong others. Now is the time for us to stand firmly on those guiding principles and do what is right and good, and condemn what is wrong and evil.
SPEAK TRUTH COURAGEOUSLY
Charlie Kirk was known for speaking the truth courageously. For those asking what will happen to the groundswell or movement that Charlie led, now is your time to speak truth courageously. Now is not the time to cower or equivocate and shrink from this cultural crossroads. Now is the time for men and women of faith and conviction to courageously stand firm and speak the truth in love.
Truth and love are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other. Charlie did so well in displaying this “civil discourse” even in the face of his most ardent opponents. Now is not the time to hedge on the truth in fear of hurting the feelings of those who need to hear that truth. There is a winsome and gracious way to speak truth and still speak truth. Personal humility and a proper self-perspective go a long way in saying hard truths to those who may not want to hear them.
Our culture is broken and in desperate need of the truth from those who will courageously speak it in a gracious manner. This pivotal moment in our history is filled with people just like you who were placed here by God on purpose. You and I have the opportunity to be the confident and courageous truth speakers in this world filled with uncertainty.
NOW WHAT?
One of the text messages I received shortly after the initial news broke that Charlie Kirk had been shot was from a 20-something who was very concerned. His text message read, “This country is toast…!” The fear and anxiety of my friend screamed from his phone to mine. As I thought about what to say, I stopped and reflected on what I would have wanted to hear if I were him. My words back to him are the same words I would say to you if you feel the same way.
“We need you now more than ever. If your generation will wake up, the country can turn around.”
Right now, in the middle of the chaos, we need people who will grow in their convictions and connect to community. Our nation needs men and women who will rid themselves of the relativistic thoughts that have plagued us for far too long and embrace the reality of an absolute standard of right and wrong. And there is someone, right now who needs to hear gracious truth from you. Now is the time for us to honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk and be men and women of courage, conviction, and faith.
Mitch Prosser is Vice President of the North Carolina Family Policy Council
