OREM, Utah – One week has passed since Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. The incident, which occurred in front of a crowd of students, has sparked widespread discussions and controversy.
The graphic video of the shooting quickly went viral, reaching millions without any age restrictions. This exposure has left many young viewers disturbed.
Salt Lake City Pastor Mike Lorange, expressed concern, saying, “A lot of children, including one of my good friends’ sons, was at the event, and they visualized and saw what happened. It’s a horrendous thing for anybody to see.”
Parents have reported that their children, as young as 10, have seen the video, often shared through school group chats.
“I saw stories from parents who said their ten, 11, 12-year-old kids were forced to see the video at school where friends would send it in a group chat, or they would literally pull it up and make their friend watch it. It’s horrific,” said New York therapist, Laura Caruso.
The aftermath of the incident has led to intense and often hurtful conversations.
“Nobody’s really listening to each other. Everybody’s shouting at each other, and it’s just getting worse,” Pastor Damian Carruthers expressed. He agrees contentious topics are being intertwined with religious discussions.
South Carolina Worship Leader, Dexter Weathers shared his experience thus far.
“It’s hurtful to see people who loved you, who wanted you to sing at the church and perform, but when you speak about issues that are affecting you negatively, they choose to ignore. Now, you’re deemed the one that is lost and doesn’t know God anymore and needs to be prayed for,” he said.
Weathers, who grew up as a pastor’s son, voiced his disagreement with Kirk’s ideology and has since faced backlash.
Lorange chimes in again, emphasizing we’re not meant to be divided.
“Whether you’re atheist, whether you’re Christian, whether you’re a Catholic, Mormon, whatever you you want to identify as; the devil wants division,” Lorange said.
Despite differing views, Weathers condemned the killing of Charlie Kirk. “I’m not justifying his death. I’m not saying he should have died in that order,” he stated.
Weathers believes this experience has exposed a deeper divide within communities.
“I’ve always stood against racism, against racist acts. It’s important that we call it out in the church,” he said.
As for solutions, both Pastor Lorange and Carruthers agree on the importance of accepting differences.
Lorange remarked, “Charlie’s death is absolutely tragic. I mean, I have little kids and he has little kids. The bottom line is they’re going to grow up without a father. Charlie had his convictions of what he believed. I do believe he was a very good man of faith.”
Carruthers emphasized the Christian message, “The Christian message is from the beginning of the Bible to the end, that every person on this planet is a loved human being and created by God, no matter how they look like, who they love, what they believe. That’s just how it is.”
Weathers and others in the community believe that understanding and accepting differences could foster more harmonious interactions.
“We shouldn’t hate them, dog them, you know, run to the ground because they believe differently than us. We should also be willing to hear, listen, and understand where they’re coming from and be open, to be correct, to be open to being wrong as well, at both sides for sure,” Weathers said.
Caruso further advised, “Lead with curiosity. If you’re unsure or if you disagree with someone, ask questions. Use respectful language. Even if your viewpoint doesn’t change, at least you’ve had a healthy and productive conversation.”
