Charlie’s Memorial

One of the last photos taken before his assassination.

Today a stadium of patriots will gather to honor Charlie Kirk at his memorial service.

His life and legacy weigh heavy on my heart, not just because we lost an influential force, but because I fear some are already twisting his name to advocate for the very things he fought against.

First, Charlie was a man. A man of great character and ideas, but a man nonetheless. To substitute mourning his death for idolatry (with some even praying to him for guidance) falls into the same category as the Mariology of Catholicism, which he staunchly denounced.

Second, there’s no such thing as “hate speech.” What one calls hate, another may call truth, and it is and always will be subjective to the hearer.

Our laws are clear: it is a crime to murder. But it is not a crime to make a fool of yourself through rhetoric, hateful or otherwise. That freedom, offensive as it may be at times, is part of what makes us American.

Lately I’ve seen many on the alleged right signing off “For Charlie” on posts that I’m certain Charlie himself would never have endorsed. If we truly want to carry his torch, let’s not allow our righteous indignation of his assassination devolve into emotionality and authoritarian vitriol.

To honor Charlie means to continue what he started: defending liberty, standing boldly for truth, and preserving our First Amendment right that makes debate (even fierce, even offensive) possible.

Anything less dishonors his memory, and undermines the very freedom he died defending.