Dear Editor,

Charlie Kirk is dead. He was a young man who stood strong in his convictions of what was right and just. He wanted the youth of our country to believe in the basic things that made us strong. He spoke of God, family, and country. We cannot survive as a nation without these three.

Two thousand years ago the Son of God came to this world and spoke of truth, holiness, righteousness, and love.

Charlie Kirk was hated by many of the elites for what he stood for. He was lumped in with all of us who are Christian Conservatives and called fascist, Nazi, Hitler.

Two thousand years ago the people of Israel saw a young Rabbi who was accused by the elites of His time of leading an insurrection against King Herod, the rule of the Sanhedrin, and a challenge to the order of Rome. They stirred the people against Him and then killed Him.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Jesus was hung on a cross.

Jesus said the following: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’ John 15:18-27

Charlie Kirk was killed. He wasn’t the first and he will not be the last. Satan uses many to do his bidding. But before you scream or commit hatred towards another, remember this. Tonight a wife lays in bed with an empty pillow beside her. A small child who cries out in the night in fear from what’s under the bed will not have her daddy come and rescue her.

There are thousands of young Generation Z men returning to church. I believe Charlie was an inspiration to their search for truth.

If you really want to honor this young hero who gave his life for what he believed … be like him. Speak against evil. Speak against lies. It is my prayer that thousands of Charlie Kirks rise up on campuses across this country.

Hug your loved one. Kiss your child. And sleep well knowing that God is in charge and will one day bring His kingdom and Charlie back to all of us.

Randy Marple

Shadyside