Editor:

On a beautiful autumn day 24 years ago, for a moment, time stood still. The vicious attack on 9/11 shocked the whole world. The reaction here was immediate and decisive. There was mourning, anger, disbelief–but Americans across this land agreed whoever the miscreants were who committed this heinous act were going to get their due. There was no right, left, red or blue….this country was united in spirit and purpose like we haven’t seen in a lifetime.

This September 10, another tragedy occurred. A bright 31 year old patriot, when he was just 18, started a movement that’s now grown into the biggest grassroots coalition this country has ever seen. His audience was young people, his subject was the pressing issues of the day, and his method was peaceful and intelligent debate. He engaged students across this country with civil discourse and questioned their assumptions and biases. The key to his rapport was the primal American value of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom to explore new ideas and to challenge the stale, politically correct gruel doled out by musty institutions. This approach struck a responsive chord in these students and he was widely popular everywhere he went.

Some accused him of being divisive, but given the setting of campus riots, demonstrations, discrimination and woke ideologies, is this surprising? When the light of truth and facts shines in the darkness, it does cause disruption, as vermin scatter in every direction. Some said he was a Fascist, but when he asked them why they called him that, or to define Fascism, these critics were silenced by their ignorance. His approach wasn’t hostile or demeaning; he was simply honest, and even inserted a little humor. He took all questions from those who agreed or disagreed with him, believing when all positions are presented, intelligent people can choose the best answers.

His message was a breath of fresh air to untold thousands who were tired of crusty curmudgeons telling them what to think. Those who couldn’t support their positions with honest dialogue were inflamed. Their twisted answer….kill the messenger.

And so it was….the political assassination of Charlie Kirk.

After this tragedy, the reactions were, once again, swift….and instructive; grief and mourning for millions and astonishment for this senseless act. But when U.S. Representative Boebert called for a moment of silent prayer, all Hell broke loose on the House floor. The radicals on the left had a meltdown. For a moment of prayer….at a time of national tragedy? There were even some who celebrated and danced in the street! Has our country now devolved to the dark recesses of tribal warfare by heathens? To say there are some elements in this country who are truly sick is an understatement.

Conversely, sanity prevailed in many more places. The voice of one American was silenced, but his organization multiplied overnight and exploded into a tsunami. Turning Point USA, which he started, has 900 college and 1200 high school chapters; in the 48 hours following his death, it received 32,000 inquiries to start new chapters! Memorials and prayer vigils sprang up everywhere, stretching even to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America. A memorial in London was estimated at 500,000, the biggest ever. History may record, the lasting legacy of Charlie Kirk may well be more consequential than that of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Perhaps the most important result of his death was a spiritual awakening in America. The truth of his message resonated in the souls of millions, and they flocked to our churches–some for the first time. Many more turned to Life’s Instruction Book, the Holy Scriptures. This should not be surprising in that the Bible was the centerpiece of his message. This country was built upon Biblical principles and Charlie jettisoned the taboo of not mixing religion with government policies, family or social issues. After all, the Creator should know best how His creation should function. Charlie’s message was that all of our institutions–family, marriage, government, nations–work best in a Biblical setting. He emphasized that a person without God is a lost soul, in need of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

On this note, one other outcome of this tragedy is puzzling. While many churches united in prayer, support, comfort and instruction….some simply went dark. With such a monumental event that shook the pillars of the entire country…. in some churches, not a word was mentioned! The silence was deafening. Social media lit up like a 911 call center, over astonishment with this glaring omission. Forgetting God in good times, but in times of national distress and loss….and we have silent pulpits? To be sure, some of these good pastors rightly emphasize the importance of an eternal home in Heaven. A soul undone standing before his maker is the rudest and most horrifying awakening befalling mortal man. Never-the-less, if our faith leaders live in an insulated bubble of spiritual academics that isn’t applicable to life’s realities, something‘s missing!

Charlie Kirk injected spiritual principals into our practical life, whether personal, family or society. Correspondingly, for our faith leaders to abdicate key opportunities to correlate life’s circumstances to the truths of God’s Word is quite disheartening. Who should be better to make sense out of senseless events than these leaders?

America is indeed at a Turning Point. The Holy Scriptures were written for common people right where they are. Our Constitution and country were built on these same principles. Evil forces have hijacked this noble calling, and it’s high time for ordinary people to stand up for good. There’s a place for everyone to do something, young people, churches, truck drivers, farmers, homemakers, shop keepers, retirees…. all standing for what’s right and good. Then our nation can return to peace, and our families can have a life that is safe, secure and prosperous and be free to pursue their dreams. And that’s the way it was supposed to be from the beginning.

Jim Hofsommer

Markham