The memorial service for Charlie Kirk was not a political rally. It was not a place for division. It was a gathering of people from across the country who came to honor a man whose life was taken far too soon. What stood out above all else was the overwhelming sense of love, reverence, and praise to God that filled the room. Families stood together. Friends embraced one another. Leaders spoke of faith, courage, and sacrifice.
It was not anger that defined the service. It was gratitude. Gratitude for a life that impacted so many. Gratitude for the principles Charlie stood for. And gratitude for the God he served. In a time of great sorrow, it became a shining example of how tragedy can be met with grace.
Yet, outside of that sacred space, the contrast was undeniable. As thousands lifted their voices in unity and prayer, others turned to social media to spew hatred. Their response revealed something deeper about the divide in our country. One side sought peace. The other chose bitterness.
Two Very Different Reactions to Tragedy
Throughout history, tragedy has always tested the character of a people. It reveals who we are when the lights dim and emotions run high. Today, America is witnessing two very different ways of responding.
On one side, we have seen people respond to hardship by rioting, looting, and burning down their own communities. Under the banner of “justice,” they have destroyed businesses, attacked law enforcement, and brought chaos to their cities. The goal is not healing but power through destruction.
On the other side, we have seen gatherings like Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Thousands of people, united not by anger but by faith. They did not riot. They did not destroy. They prayed, they mourned, and they resolved to carry forward a legacy of hope.
One response tears apart. The other builds up. One response spreads fear. The other spreads faith.
This is not simply a political divide. It is a spiritual one. It is light versus darkness. And the difference is unmistakable.
The Refusal to Admit the Problem
Those who live in the darkness refuse to acknowledge the truth. They cannot admit that hate has consumed them. Like the first step in AA, the path to recovery begins with admitting the problem. But instead of humility, they double down on hostility. Instead of honesty, they cling to denial.
Until that moment comes—until they admit that they are part of the problem—things will not improve. Division will grow. Anger will spread. And the very soul of the country will suffer.
What happened around Charlie Kirk’s memorial exposed this reality in plain sight. The problem is not only what is being said, but the refusal to acknowledge that this hatred is wrong.
Building on Common Ground
Yet there is another way. America does not need to live in permanent division. The memorial reminded us of what is possible when people come together around the simple truths of life, love, and faith.
We must start small. Agreeing on the most basic truths: that hate is wrong, no matter who expresses it. That mocking death is not strength, it is weakness. That violence does not heal wounds, it deepens them.
From those small steps, bigger ones are possible. Common ground on community. On respect. On the value of every human life. If we can agree on these basics, then we can begin to tackle the larger issues. Unity does not begin with solving everything at once. It begins with honesty and humility, with choosing respect over resentment.
The Role of Social Media
One of the greatest accelerators of this hatred has been social media. Platforms dominated by the Left have allowed anger to spread unchecked. They do not enforce standards equally. They silence one side while giving the other free rein to dehumanize, mock, and even celebrate violence.
This imbalance has made people believe their hatred is justified. That because their opponents are “wrong,” anything goes. But hate is never justified. Hate is wrong whether it comes from the Left or the Right. It poisons the mind and blinds people from the truth.
Social media should have been a place where people connected, shared ideas, and built relationships. Instead, it has become a weapon used to tear people apart. This has fueled division more than any political speech or policy ever could.
A Path Forward
Charlie Kirk’s memorial showed us the light. It showed us how tragedy can be met with faith, prayer, and love. It showed us that there is a better way forward.
We must ask ourselves: do we want to be the ones who add to the darkness, or do we want to be the ones who step into the light? Do we want to fuel the division, or do we want to heal the divide?
The answer begins with each of us. We cannot change the entire nation overnight. But we can change how we respond. We can choose respect over ridicule. We can choose prayer over hatred. We can choose unity over division.
The choice is ours. The memorial gave us a glimpse of what is possible when people come together in love and in faith. Now we must decide which path we will take.
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