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“Our heritage and ideals, our code and standards— the things we live by and teach our children— are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings.” –Walt Disney

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, a high school student opened fire at his Colorado high school, in the same county as the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. This student-turned-shooter wounded two classmates before killing himself. At the same time, 12:23 pm Mountain Time, 470 miles away at Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk was assassinated. This wicked alignment of fates casts a dark and foreboding shadow across the land of the free. 

Our American Culture has descended into a culture of rage and violence, so much so, that even in our schools, the youth of our country are turning against one another. Moreover, our political dialogue has become depraved, as it is increasingly full of blame, hate, and anger. For instance, when Charlie Kirk was murdered, some on the Right blamed the ambiguous and ominous “Left,” vowing vengeance and reprisal. At the same time, some of those who opposed the politics of Kirk taunted his death and cheered his demise. Importantly, I say “some” on both sides. I do not say flippantly, “the Right did this,” or the “Left did that,” the Republicans said this,” or “the Democrats said that.” Nay, I say, “some.” There are always “some” who are willing to speak and commit evil. The problem is that in our heated environment, too many Americans are quick to simply paint the Other Side with the broadest brush possible and never consider that they may have more in common than they realize.

Charlie Kirk sought to engage young people with his ideas and to convince people of his worldview. He did not count any topic out of bounds and was willing to argue his opinion face-to-face with anyone. While generally polite, he could also be sharp and abrasive; but he was also charming and charismatic. He used fiery rhetoric and received the same in return, an aspect of his debates which no doubt led to his wild popularity and massive social media platform. President Trump himself credited Kirk with churning out an increased youth vote which helped deliver the White House back to him in 2024.

To be sure, I found zero agreement with Kirk, but I wish to live in a country where he is not killed for espousing views that I find strongly offensive. I am disenchanted with Christian Nationalism and find it be abhorrent to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I wish to live in a country where Christian Nationalist can promote their ideology. I am concerned about the consequences of those who mix the Gospel with politics, but I wish to live in a country where Right-wing Christians can do just that. I disagree with the worldview and the ideology that Kirk promoted, but I wish to live in a country where his wife is not a widow and where his children still have him as their father. 

I strongly and unapologetically believe in the robust exchange of ideas and believe that Americans should foster an environment where ideas can be shared and believed, argued and countered all in freedom, liberty, and peace. In the late 1960’s, political assassinations became all-too commonplace: John F. Kennedy, Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert F. Kenndy, and others were all killed within a 5-year time span. In the course of 60 years, we find our nation at the precipice once again. What is the answer? The answer lies in the message of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself, and He also said to love your enemies. First, I think that we should see most of our enemies as our neighbors. This is especially true when we count someone as an enemy just because they have differing political views. But second, if we cannot do that, then we must love them anyway, and as Jesus said, pray for them, for when we pray for someone, it is difficult to keep hate for them in our heart. It is high time for Christians to put down the flag and take up the cross. It is time for Christians to lead the way in this country. Not by advancing or protesting legislation and not by getting out the vote for a preferred candidate. It is time for Christians to lead the way by demonstrating love, mercy, and grace for their fellow Americans!

Indeed, it is Christians who can and should be able to show others how to engage in debate with respect, how to argue in love, and how to receive and embrace their opponents with grace. I believe in the exchange of ideas, but I believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ which must control how I engage, debate, and argue. I believe in the Great Experiment of America, but I believe in the Gospel which must control how I view and treat my fellow Americans. I believe in our Republic and in her democratic ideals handed down from the founding fathers who provided us a government of separate powers and of checks and balances. But I believe this government of the people, by the people, for the people— shall indeed perish from the earth if Christians do not stand up for the rights of OTHERS and lead the way in LOVING those with whom they agree as much as those with whom they disagree.