Violence Will Not Save Us

We must return to politics grounded in empathy and dialogue, but only the renewal of democracy can save us.

Yesterday, in Utah, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. The investigation is still ongoing, and we don’t yet know all the details. But one thing is clear—this was an act of political violence. And today, on the 9/11 anniversary, when our nation remembers the terrible consequences of violence, we must say with moral clarity that there must be no tolerance for political violence or violence of any kind, from any side.

As a father, I pray for Charlie’s family, especially his children. I know the passion of loving your kids and wanting nothing more than their flourishing and safety. Beyond the political differences, beyond the bitter debates, at his best, Charlie Kirk attempted to engage in the dialogue that is at the heart of democracy.

But we must be honest with ourselves and with each other. Violence is prevailing over politics today, and has been for a while. We are witnessing a dangerous and devastating failure of our democracy. Violence is never the answer. Political violence is a poison in the bloodstream of democracy. Each violent act, no matter the target, pulls us further from God’s purposes for us as a people. If this continues, it will drive us into a darker and more perilous place than we already are.

This is not about left or right, Democrats or Republicans. In recent years, political violence has become a grim pulse of our public life. The Capitol attack, threats against lawmakers, the assault on Paul Pelosi, the attempted stabbing of Lee Zeldin, the violent attacks of Minnesota legislators and their spouses, the shooting of Steve Scalise at a Congressional softball practice, two attempts on Trump’s life, and now the murder of Charlie Kirk. Each of these moments mirrors the same truth. Violence takes hold when politics falter and people lose faith that the systems meant to serve them can still work.

But politics, in its truest sense, is meant to be the alternative to violence. Human beings will always have conflicts and disagreements, and that is normal in any society. The question is how we resolve them. Do we settle differences with whoever carries the bigger stick, or do we choose dialogue, compromise, and accountability through democratic politics? Right now, violence is prevailing over politics. That is a sign of moral failure, and it must change.

In my morning devotion, I reflected on God’s call to unity and peace. Today, that reflection felt more urgent. We are in desperate need to bridge divides and imagine new ways forward. Our democracy needs to be renewed. We need to move away from a ‘democracy’ poisoned by hate and intimidation, and rebuild one that prioritizes empathy, moral values, and human consciousness. Empathy is not weakness—it is our strength.

To renew our democracy, we must first deepen and renew our moral centers. We must return to God’s purposes of justice, peace, truth, and love of neighbor. We are not enemies, but fellow citizens, even and perhaps especially when we disagree. We have forgotten how to disagree, so we must learn that again. We must speak clearly and without contradictions. Violence is not who we are called to be.

Politics will always involve conflict, but it does not have to become violent. Politics can and must lead to dialogue; to open, free, and safe discussion, and to solutions that serve the common good. If we choose that path, we may find our way back to one another.

As people of good faith and moral consciousness, let us pray for Charlie Kirk’s family and his beloved kids. Let us recommit ourselves to democracy. And let us remember that we must keep returning to the presence of God, who alone can heal our divisions, bring us together, and guide us toward peace.

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