Charlie Kirk’s assassination marks a turning point in the culture wars. For many conservatives, Kirk was not just a movement leader but an icon. His tragic death has been interpreted by some as a form of martyrdom: a man who modeled charity in debate and generosity toward opponents, yet was met with violence in return. The temptation among his admirers is clear: he fought with grace, and look what it got him; now it’s time to take the gloves off.
Thankfully, most have resisted this impulse. In contrast to the destructive reactions that have followed other high-profile killings, the predominant response has been prayer. Vigils have sprung up across the country, and more than a few have begun to investigate the faith that Kirk professed. Yet alongside this hopeful response runs a darker current: calls for vengeance from some prominent right-wing voices, and the gnawing sense within many hearts that perhaps retribution is the only fitting answer.
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