Statement on the Murder of Charlie Kirk
It is with considerable alarm and deep sadness that we learn of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent activist and founder of Turning Point USA. His life and untimely death reflect the increasingly volatile social climate that we have experienced in the last 5 years and has brought into stark reality the human species’ unique and troubling ability to turn on itself.
Facing this reality is not easy but in this moment, we have been called to do so. Are we on an inevitable trajectory toward the extinction of Homo sapiens – wise humans – and the rise of a trans-humanist species? Are we drifting blindly into a digital prison, finely tuned to keep us compliant, unquestioning and divided? In this moment of mourning, we must also confront a deeper truth – that of being strong enough to admit the failings that come with our supposedly advanced human intellects and capacity to reason. Can we engage, courageously and respectfully, in a manner that promotes all humanity, including and possibly most importantly, with those whose arguments we loathe?
Charlie Kirk’s murder, likely rooted in ideological differences, is a stark reminder that humanity stands at a crossroads. If humanity is to emerge free and thriving, we must reject the division. We must aim to speak and debate openly and with a genuine desire to understand and serve our fellow man. We must choose strength, togetherness, and growth over hatred and division.
NZDSOS is appalled by the public displays of celebration surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death. Such reactions are not only inhumane and degrading to those who utter them, but also fuel the divisions that will lead us into dystopian lives of numbing compliance; lives that will not be worthy of being called such. Therefore, we would be equally appalled by celebrations of any death, whether in the name of religion, ideology, or belief. A close second is the ignoring of preventable deaths from a global health disaster.
Respect for life and the unity of humanity must remain paramount above political, financial or philosophical ideologies. The consequences of allowing the murder of a husband and father for engaging in debate, to be but a small blip on our news radar, is that of the degradation of humanity.
Let this tragedy not be in vain. Let it be the impetus for a better way forward. Let us honor Charlie Kirk not only by mourning his death but by committing ourselves to the principles of open dialogue, mutual respect, and the preservation of our shared humanity.
With respect and love to Charlie’s family and all those who mourn him.
REST IN PEACE CHARLIE
I have agreed with everything NZDSOS has posted so far, until now. I agree that we should not be celebrating his death, but it seems you’ve overlooked the fact that Charlie himself sowed seeds of hatred and division during his time on earth. He was a self-proclaimed racist. He was homophobic and transphobic. How many deaths may he have had an indirect hand in by inciting hatred towards people who weren’t white, straight and binary? It is truly tragic that a Wife has lost her Husband and children have have lost their Dad, but how he died does not exonerate him from how he chose to live. To simply say he was “engaging in debate” is ignorant and frankly, a slap in the face for all of the victims of homophobia, transphobia and racism.
Thank you S. I agree with you. Wasn’t he a groomed product/puppet of Vance etc? I can’t get past his overt sexism.
With respect, I have to pull you up on your unjustified comments regarding Charlie Kirks character. Charlie did not sow the seeds of hatred and division. Far from it. Those seeds, unfortunately and sadly, were deeply embedded in the hearts of those that could not bear to hear or tolerate a voice that differed from their own particular views of what was “right” or wrong. I have listened to many hours of Charlie Kirk explaining his ideas, which were deeply rooted in traditional Christian values. I did not agree with everything he said but his heart was in the right place and he provided a much needed counterpoint to leftist ideology. I hope you will take the time to actually listen to what he said, rather than be persuaded to form opinions seemingly on distorted second hand reports.
“Deeply rooted in traditional Christian values” – exactly my point. These “values” are inherently Trans and Homophobic.
I think your comments are in error.
True core traditional Christian values are principles derived from the teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible, serving as a moral compass for believers.
Central to these values is love, described as the most important commandment, encompassing love for God and love for one’s neighbour as oneself.
This love, often referred to as “agapao” in the New Testament, means treating others with kindness, respect, and concern for their welfare, extending this even to enemies.
This teaching can be found even in the earliest Christian manuscript, The Codex Sinaiticus, which contains the text of the Didache, an early Christian writing that includes the principle of loving one’s neighbour as oneself. In the Didache, the way of life is defined by loving God and loving one’s neighbour as oneself, with the caveat that one should not do to another, what one would not want done to oneself.
To disagree, for example, with a particular lifestyle, political persuasion, or opinion, does not equate to being hateful, racist or “phobic”.
Sorry, Harper, but you need to actually listen to what Charlie had to say, not indulge your negative fantasies.
Well done, NZDSOS. Once again, you are that “still small voice of calm”. To my chagrin, I was only vaguely aware of Charlie Kirk, but whenever I saw him speak, he came across as a deeply sincere and decent soul. An American friend of mine pointed out to me that Charlie was in fact turning against the Trumpian foreign policy and was becoming ever more critical of US violence and the US enabling of genocide in Gaza (and indeed Ukraine). It may well be that the pro-war parties decided to assassinate him because they cannot tolerate a pro-Peace voice to offer an alternative to violence and hate. The assassinations of the 1960s come immediately to mind: “The Four who died trying” – JFK, MLK, Malcolm X, RFK.
It seems to me that some people are, unfortunately, basing their comments on what they think Charlie said, rather than anything he actually said in context. The level of mis-information, misquoted comments and outright lies published about Charlie on social media is staggering and should not be fallen for.
Quite right, Graeme. Charlie was a courageous and compassionate man. That people can describe him in such negative terms simply indicate that they have never really listened to what he had to say.
Thank you Anna. It is no stretch to compare the murder of Charlie with the destruction of lives and careers in NZ during the “pandemic” by those uncomfortable with the truth (the government, the Medical Council, etc). Charlie would appreciate it. RIP