Charlie Kirk

Hi, this is a stream of consciousness, having watched a good part of the memorial service for Charlie Kirk late last night. It was a mixed bag. Firstly, my criticisms: I feel uncomfortable with religion mixed with politics. Politics adulterates religion and I suspect the manipulation of minds. Sadly, it became a political rally as they used every opportunity to be salesmen for the masses who were there and those watching across the world! There are times when I felt that Charlie Kirk (who as a human being was not perfect - we are all found wanting in the sight of God) yet it was alluded to several times that there were comparisons between Charlie Kirk and Jesus Christ - an exaggeration that is tantamount to hubris, and  adulation. The speakers were trying to outdo each other to praise him in extreme ways. 

He was worth $12 million at 31 with exceptional earning potential. The Americans come across as rather gushing for us Brits, and I sometimes felt it was a Hollywood style show. Kirk did not believe in Darwinism - the evolution of species. Even most Archbishops don’t believe the universe was made in 7 days as he did. Kirk was closely allied with The Old Testament - and with Israel, a country he was moving away from supporting. 

The God of the Old Testament, Jehovah, was a jealous and angry God and the people in the stories often were very flawed, yet rewarded! Jesus came, as God’s son to show us he was a loving God, kind, forgiving, and would die a terrible death for our benefit. Jesus taught us how to live by his words and actions, and taught us all that is wrong with the world by the betrayals, corruption, condemnation, torture, and death, and was seen resurrected by Mary and his disciples. His Commandments to love one another is the hallmark of the Christian way of life. Judge not lest you be judged. Humility rather than self opinionated. 

The best parts for me were the singing - uplifting and for Christians, devotional, I love the evangelical songs. The Holy Spirit was moving during these times. Most of the speakers spoke without reading from the teleprompter, often moving tributes, holding Christianity as the central theme.yet honouring the influencer for his Christianity more than his support for rich right wing politics that bomb poor countries to make them poorer if they do not comply with US hegemony. 

I would like to have challenged Charlie on why the ecology of our finite and unique planet did not feature in his ideology. Christianity is different in the US than in many countries. Many Americans believe that we are experiencing the last days and they look forward to Jesus 2nd coming that will sweep up Christians to heaven and let the rest of us suffer inhumane deaths. In the UK we are more conservative with a small c, and most try to truly honour the Prince of Peace, and Lord of Love with less division and judgments. So this was on my mind this morning!