09/16/2025
I rarely speak about politics or religion here — partly because I want this space to feel welcoming for everyone. But this is less about party lines or religion and more about a principle I hold deeply: freedom.
I was heartbroken to hear about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. About two years ago, he came to my church, and I was thrilled to sit and listen. I respected how he consistently created space for people to speak — even those who disagreed with him.
There's a video of someone challenging Charlie on guns — and instead of shutting them down, he called it one of the best conversations he’d ever had - and that's one example. That moment wasn’t about changing someone’s mind. It was about dialogue, kindness, and compassion. It was about showing that we can engage respectfully and even leave a conversation still disagreeing — but also still respecting one another.
I have my CCW and believe strongly that taking guns away from responsible citizens doesn’t stop people intent on doing harm. It leaves good and just people unprotected. My right to carry matters to me because I want to protect myself and those I love from people like those who commit these acts. Tragedies like this often get people riled up and push them to call for removing rights — whether that’s freedom of speech or the right to bear arms — from the very people who are trying to do good.
Since Charlie’s death, I’ve seen cruel jokes, hateful posts, and even blatant lies or completely twisted versions of what he said. We can say we want free speech — but too often, we only want it when it matches our own agenda. That’s not freedom — that’s bias. Before blindly believing what someone posts, seek the truth for yourself.
Even though he was gone in the moment of the gunshot, his impact is growing. His words and work are reaching more people than ever.
Loss is never an invitation to tear others down. A family is grieving. Friends are grieving. We can do better.
Why can't we choose compassion, even when we disagree? Hold space for dialogue, not destruction. Let’s think before we post something cruel or dismissive. Because real freedom means every voice — and every right — has value.
