The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: Murdered for Speaking the Truth

I wrote this article for my scheduled submission to the local newspaper. They refused to run it saying: "we have decided that this topic is too volatile for us to run now."

 

Waverly Democrat – July 18, 2025: “Pastor’s Pen” Submission

 

The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: Murdered for Speaking the Truth

The assassination of Charlie Kirk marks a turning point in our nation. Charlie held traditional, conservative, Christian values and was remarkably effective in communicating them—persuading many, especially young college students, to examine and even change their beliefs. He was winning converts from radical leftist indoctrination. Many believe this is precisely why he was targeted.

Tragically, and unsurprisingly, many on the far left are celebrating Kirk’s murder. This reveals a sickness deeper than politics. It is hateful, evil, even demonic. And in a twisted irony, those who cheer his death accuse Kirk and his supporters of the very hatred they themselves display. They insist that traditional Christian teaching is itself hateful. They are patently wrong.

To understand why Kirk was targeted, one must understand what he believed. He confessed the timeless truths of Scripture: that God created the universe, the earth, and humankind in two distinct and complementary sexes, male and female; that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, blessed by God to be fruitful and multiply; that every human life is sacred, a gift of God made in His image. He believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man, died for all, and rose again to reconcile humanity to God. Kirk believed this good news must be proclaimed to all and that Christians are called to love one another without affirming practices contrary to God’s will. These convictions are not hateful. They are historic, orthodox, biblical Christianity—once embraced by the vast majority of Americans.

Kirk’s political views were inseparable from his faith. He ordered his world in this way: God, Family, Nation. He believed government exists chiefly to protect the other two estates—the church and the family—by guarding borders, upholding law, and defending life, liberty, and property. Government is the servant of the family, not the other way around.

He championed freedom: free markets, free speech, freedom of religion, the right to own property, the right to bear arms. He emphasized individual responsibility and believed Western civilization has produced unparalleled human flourishing. He opposed globalism, identity politics, and every form of Marxism. None of this was hate speech—though some hated it.

On college campuses, Kirk welcomed debate. He invited those who disagreed to make their case. He listened, responded with truth, and often did so respectfully and compassionately. Sometimes he persuaded; sometimes he faced hostility. But never did he engage in hate speech. He simply spoke words that some could not bear to hear.

And for that, he was silenced. Not by argument, not by persuasion, but by violence. Charlie Kirk was assassinated because his opponents could not defeat him in the public square. They had to kill him there instead.

But in death, as in life, Charlie Kirk speaks still. His voice echoes louder now, calling America to remember that truth is not hate, and that silencing truth by violence is the surest sign of its power.

Rev. Jon M. Ellingworth, Pastor
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church – Waverly, IA