Charlie Kirk

I want to make one thing crystal clear. I am from the George W. Bush era so my approach to politics has always been and will always be compassionate conservatism. I have no use for and see no value in America First populist nationalism.

With that said, Charlie Kirk's political assassination is inexcusable. I don't care what side of the aisle you might be on politically. America cannot continue on this deeply polarized path that will continue to result in assassination attempts of political activists by political activists. Charlie Kirk is a victim of murder but he was also, I am sad to say, part of the problem.

It is time to tone down the rhetoric ON BOTH SIDES. The decline of civil discourse in America has increased hostilities between the political parties and brought us to this point.

I ran a test a week or so ago, asking questions of Microsoft Copilot (and confirming the data it provided). I wanted to know how someone living by Biblical precepts should be behaving, how they should approach life. 

If you are a Christian, you know what the tenants of a believer should be:

• Love the Lord your God with all your being
• Love your enemies and pray for those who hate you
• Love your neighbor as yourself
• The sermon on the mount, spoken by Jesus himself, calls those are meek, poor in spirit, those who hunger for righteousness, those who are merciful, peacemakers, and pure in heart, all of these people are called blessed by the Lord.

Romans 12:9-21 thoroughly covers this by instructing believers to not repay evil for evil, to do what is right in the eyes of everyone, to not take revenge, and as far as it depends on you to live at peace with everyone.

I urge Christians to separate your faith in Jesus from politics. We have missed the mark. Christianity is about living at peace with others, about showing love to others. It is not about having the last word and winning arguments. Live your life according to Biblical instruction, and even if you never once have a direct conversation about Jesus with a non-believer, these people will still see the light of the Lord in you. This is not about words, but about deeds.

I shouldn't have to say it, but polarizing rhetoric is not what Jesus wants from His followers. Examine your politicians. If they claim Christianity, compare their words and actions with Scripture. It is not only acceptable to question our leaders, but it is crucial.