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Reflections on Charlie Kirk's death

 

I have been watching the news items, YouTube clips, and podcasts about the death of Charlie Kirk. I find it confusing that people hate so much they would be willing to kill someone with different views. Even more so, that this is so widespread (as we can see from the vicious and hateful comments celebrating his death). Quite frankly, if his views made you so angry, why watch him? Just turn off the video or podcast, just stay away from his gatherings.

Why is it OK to have the freedom of speech to speak out unconscionable, violent, and hate-filled rhetoric, but not the freedom of speech to calmly and confidently share your own opinions, values, and thoughts with others. I don’t understand. But then we live in a broken world, and the enemy has full reign now. We have a choice to embrace evil or love. It is incredibly sad that some choose to embrace evil. It is sad that morality is now subjective rather than objective.

I wonder what it is like to be so full of hate? Is it exhausting to have all these violent thoughts going around in your head all the time until you explosively aim at anyone who does not agree with you? I think it must be. To those who feel this way all the time I can offer a solution. You can have peace! It is quite simple really. Repent of your sin, accept God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ and oh the relief. Oh, the peace. I pray for those who desperately need this peace.

I do agree with some reflections on Charlie’s death suggesting that the inflammatory rhetoric from politicians and lawmakers in policy disputes and other disagreements are unnecessary and spur hatred among individuals in society. Even in New Zealand, I hear politicians say negative and unpleasant things about other politicians using aggressive stance and language. It’s not OK. If our leaders can’t reign their comments in, we can expect continuing hatred in our society. It has become all about ‘taking sides’ and the ‘next election’ rather than robust conversation among parties to reach the best decision for New Zealanders.

I wonder how the shooter feels now that his destructive action has resulted in a huge interest in the Bible and God. God can turn any situation to his glory.

God bless you each, may his peace reign in your hearts and minds.

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