America's Potential Turning Point, Part 2

The masks are off. Charlie Kirk's assassination has exposed stunning contrasts between the Leftist Liberals and Christian Conservatives. The latter win.

Oct 17, 2025

I cannot imagine that there is anyone who is not aware of the malicious assault on free speech that occurred on September 10 at Utah Valley University.

I am, of course, speaking of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who at the age of 18 founded Turning Point USA, which has grown to one of the largest student mobilizing organizations in the world. His organization has impacted millions, but in just the first 10 days following his death, including the memorial service at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, September 21, that message and movement have spread to over 100 million people worldwide.

The deluded shooter thought he had silenced the one he hated, but in reality, his bullet set loose a megaphone for truth louder than anyone could have imagined. Even leaders of multiple nations around the world stood to honor Charlie’s life and work. And then there are the countless number of people who have committed or recommitted their lives to Christ, the explosion of requests for new TPUSA Chapters, and millions of dollars in new donations, all because of Kirk’s martyrdom.

When People Criminalize Words, Bad Things Happen

Charlie Kirk’s “weapons” were words, questions, listening, and respectful dialogue. And yet, for one radicalized 22-year-old, those “weapons” were his definition of “hate,” and the only solution he could think of was execution. The deranged assassin was blind to the fact that the only one filled with hate was the one pulling the trigger. Anyone watching the countless TPUSA videos can see that the one thing Kirk did NOT have for others was hate.

I am not ashamed to say that, mixed in with deep sorrow and shock, I experienced anger. I was angry for the years of irresponsible and heated rhetoric from the left, falsely (and dangerously) labeling conservatives with emotion-driven labels like “Extreme” Right-wingers, Nazis, fascists, white supremacists, Christian Nationalists, haters, etc. And who can forget Biden’s dark and angry speech as president with the red background and two Marines behind him, where he angrily warned Americans that everyone who voted for Trump (i.e., “Extreme MAGA”) was an “existential threat to our democracy,” and that “MAGA” must be stopped, or else America will no longer exist (my paraphrase). These egregious misrepresentations of conservatives only feed a growing climate that further divides our country, and for some, justifies political violence.

Now, let me be very clear, the only one responsible for the murder of Erika Kirk’s husband and father to their children is the one holding the rifle — period. But words mean things, and people in places of power with a “big microphone” must be held to a higher standard of accountability for their words because of the influence those words have. We are the ones who must hold them accountable by speaking truth and exposing their lies.

Even more disturbing, since the assassination, is having to deal with those heartless responses from some on the left who are either blaming Kirk for his murder, celebrating it, or both. Where is the compassion for a young wife who is now a widow, and two children who are fatherless at the ages of one and three?

First Step Needed For A Genuine Turning Point

May I suggest that the first turning point we need in our political and cultural dialogue is to “re-humanize” those who disagree with us? When we begin to see each other as humans with families and real-life challenges instead of just a label, we can start to bring down the political temperature and help to diffuse any rationale for violence against one’s opponents.

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers who sold him to slavery years earlier: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” As I have said, we are already seeing people come to Christ, which is the most crucial factor in society if we want to see a positive, enduring turning point in America.

The proof that a return to faith in Christ is crucial has been displayed by the peaceful, prayerful, and godly way Christians and other conservatives have responded to the cold-blooded murder of the founder of TPUSA, which is 180 degrees from how the left responded to George Floyd’s death.

According to data from Homeland Security Digital Library and Police Magazine,

“During the summer of 2020, there were approximately 8,700 protests in major cities across the U.S. and Canada, with 574 of those protests involving acts of violence. This (data) indicates a significant level of civil unrest during that period. Additionally, one city reported around 100 protest events alone.”

But wait, there was more! Who can forget the pictures of looting (2,385 accounts) and arson (624 incidents, including 97 police cars) that dominated these 574 riots. What is even worse is that between two and three dozen people died.

“More than 2,000 law enforcement officers were injured in the first weeks of protests over the summer following the in-custody death of George Floyd, according to a report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association,” as also reported on the Police Magazine website.

The Contrast Could Not Be More Extreme

However, in stunning contrast to 2020, on Sept. 10, when a hate-filled leftist homosexual is radicalized to the point of publicly murdering a prominent Christian leader, NONE of the violence, looting, or riots of 2020 occurred anywhere — worldview matters (Marxist vs Biblical). Nor did we have to wait for some leading Christian, Conservative, or Republican to give us our marching orders or narratives to recite. We already had the teachings of Christ to show us how to respond.

Following that evil act, we turned our hearts, minds, and voices to God the Father. We joined together to share each other’s grief, and we prayed for those impacted, including the gay shooter and his grieving family. We then dedicated ourselves to boldly sharing our faith and fearlessly speaking up for Truth, as Charlie did so well. How about we “rewind and repeat” THIS model whenever we face national trauma and violence?

The Second Step - The Power of Forgiveness

The pinnacle of how Christ’s teachings transform the believer was demonstrated by Erika Kirk when she stood there, tears flowing from a grieving heart, and declared, “I forgive you,” to the shooter (who was not there, of course). She was not saying that the perpetrator should not face justice, but she was telling those emotions of “hate, anger, and desire for revenge” that they have no place in her heart, thus setting her free from what corrupted that troubled 22-year-old.

Jesus taught a better way:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45a).

Jesus has more to say on this matter, but suffice it to say, America’s Turning Point will be determined by how earnestly we apply these liberating truths to our lives. As we do, we have reason for hope.

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