Deification of Charlie Kirk: Blasphemy, Division, and the Misrepresentation of Christian Virtue

 

A Critique of the Deification of Charlie Kirk: Blasphemy, Division, and the Misrepresentation of Christian Virtue

The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University, has sparked a wave of eulogies and tributes from conservative Christians, evangelical leaders, and even Catholic figures like Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Kirk’s death has been framed by many as a martyrdom, with some going so far as to compare him to biblical figures like St. Paul or St. Stephen, or to suggest he is now in heaven, a saintly figure whose life exemplified Christian virtue. This narrative, however, is not only problematic but also deeply offensive to the core tenets of Christianity. Kirk’s public persona, marked by divisive rhetoric, alignment with white supremacist talking points, and a rejection of Christ’s teachings on love and forgiveness, stands in stark contrast to the qualities of a martyr or saint. Cardinal Dolan’s comparison of Kirk to a “modern-day St. Paul” is particularly egregious, as it elevates a polarizing political figure to a status reserved for those who embody the selfless, sacrificial love of Christ. This essay will critically examine the deification of Charlie Kirk, argue that his actions and beliefs disqualify him from martyr or saint status, and highlight the blasphemy inherent in such comparisons, particularly in light of Christianity’s call to love one’s enemies and uphold moral integrity.

 The Deification of Charlie Kirk: A Misguided Narrative

Following Kirk’s tragic death, conservative evangelical leaders and political figures swiftly moved to cast him as a Christian martyr. Pastors like Rob McCoy of Godspeak Calvary Chapel and Jackson Lahmeyer of Sheridan Church labeled Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom,” comparing him to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr of the New Testament. President Donald Trump echoed this sentiment, calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in a September 19, 2025, appearance on Fox & Friends, went further, declaring Kirk a “modern-day St. Paul,” a missionary and evangelist who embodied Christ’s teaching that “the truth will set you free.” These pronouncements, while emotionally charged in the wake of Kirk’s assassination, reflect a troubling trend of conflating political activism with spiritual sanctity.

The term “martyr” in Christian tradition refers to someone who dies for their faith, bearing witness to Christ through their sacrifice. St. Paul, one of the most revered figures in Christianity, was a transformative apostle who spread the Gospel across the Roman Empire, enduring imprisonment, persecution, and eventual martyrdom for his unwavering commitment to Christ. To compare Kirk, a political commentator known for his confrontational style and polarizing views, to such a figure is not only a stretch but a distortion of Christian theology. Kirk’s activism, while rooted in his evangelical faith, was primarily political, focused on advancing a conservative agenda through Turning Point USA and its faith-based arm, TPUSA Faith. His rhetoric often targeted marginalized groups, including racial and religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community, fostering division rather than unity. This stands in direct opposition to the Christian call to love one’s neighbor and pray for one’s enemies, as articulated in Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

 Cardinal Dolan’s Blasphemous Comparison

Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s declaration that Charlie Kirk was a “modern-day St. Paul” is particularly troubling, given his position as a prominent Catholic leader. St. Paul’s life was defined by his radical conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a tireless advocate for the Gospel, preaching a message of universal love and redemption. His epistles emphasize humility, reconciliation, and the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of social or ethnic divisions (Galatians 3:28). Kirk, by contrast, was known for his combative style, often engaging in debates designed to “own” his opponents rather than foster understanding. His rhetoric, which included disparaging remarks about Black women, working women, and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his rejection of empathy as a “made-up new-age term,” is antithetical to the Pauline model of Christian witness.

Dolan’s comparison is blasphemous because it elevates a figure whose actions often contradicted Christ’s teachings to the status of one of Christianity’s greatest saints. By doing so, Dolan risks blurring the line between Catholic evangelization and partisan politics, a move that deepens divisions within the Church and undermines its moral authority. As noted in a National Catholic Reporter article, Dolan’s remarks contribute to the Catholic right’s “insatiable need to spiritually gaslight” the public into accepting Kirk as a model of perfect Christianity, destroying the ability to view his death with nuance. The Catholic Church has long grappled with issues of moral credibility, particularly in light of its handling of clergy abuse scandals. For a cardinal to equate a divisive political figure with St. Paul only further erodes trust in the Church’s ability to uphold authentic Christian values.

 Charlie Kirk’s Divisive Legacy

Charlie Kirk’s career was marked by a meteoric rise from a teenage activist to a leading voice in the conservative movement. Founding Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, Kirk built a platform that resonated with young conservatives through campus tours, viral debates, and a media presence that included The Charlie Kirk Show. While he initially focused on fiscal conservatism, his rhetoric grew increasingly intertwined with evangelical Christianity and Christian nationalism, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirk’s establishment of TPUSA Faith in 2021 and his partnerships with megachurch pastors signaled a shift toward a more overtly religious agenda, one that sought to “reclaim the country for Christ.”

However, Kirk’s version of Christianity was heavily influenced by Christian nationalism, a belief system that merges evangelical faith with patriotism and seeks to impose Christian values on public institutions. He endorsed the “Seven Mountain Mandate,” a concept popular in charismatic evangelical circles that calls for Christians to dominate seven spheres of influence: religion, family, government, education, media, arts, and business. At a 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference, Kirk praised Trump for understanding these “seven mountains of cultural influence,” a statement that aligned him with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a movement advocating for modern-day apostles to lead Christians in transforming society into a “dominion of Christ.” This ideology, as noted by scholars like Matthew Taylor, represents a more aggressive vision of social change than traditional evangelicalism, often embracing extreme theologies that prioritize power over humility.

Kirk’s rhetoric frequently included dog whistles associated with white supremacy. He opposed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, claiming they persecuted white people, and embraced the Great Replacement Theory, which stokes fear about immigrants replacing white populations. He defended white privilege and criticized Critical Race Theory, framing these issues in ways that appealed to racial anxieties. As Baptist News pointed out, Kirk’s rhetoric contained “a cacophony of racist dog whistles,” aligning him with the broader Trumpian ideology that often scapegoated minorities for political gain. Such positions are fundamentally at odds with the Christian commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31) and to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35).

 The Rejection of Christian Love and Empathy

One of the most glaring contradictions in Kirk’s public persona was his rejection of empathy, a cornerstone of Christian ethics. In a 2022 statement, Kirk declared, “I can’t stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up new-age term that does a lot of damage.” This dismissal is profoundly un-Christian, as Jesus’ ministry was defined by empathy—compassion for the marginalized, the sick, and the sinner. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) exemplifies this call to show mercy to those who differ from us, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries. Kirk’s belittling of empathy, coupled with his disparaging remarks about Black women and the LGBTQ+ community, reflects a selective application of Christian principles that prioritizes political ideology over moral integrity.

Furthermore, Kirk’s approach to his opponents lacked the charity and forgiveness that Christ modeled. While he claimed to engage in “civil discourse,” his debates were often performative, designed to humiliate rather than persuade. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Kirk’s rhetoric, which often vilified liberals, progressives, and minorities, fostered division rather than reconciliation. His criticism of churches that failed to oppose COVID-19 lockdowns or that avoided controversial sermons further illustrates his preference for confrontation over unity, a far cry from the peacemaking spirit of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:9).

 The Misuse of Martyrdom and Sainthood

The rush to label Kirk a martyr or saint reveals a broader issue within conservative evangelicalism and the Catholic right: the politicization of Christian theology. Martyrdom, in the Christian tradition, is not conferred upon those who die for political causes, no matter how sincerely they profess their faith. As The Conversation notes, a Christianity historian questions whether Kirk’s death qualifies as martyrdom, given that he was killed at a secular university for reasons that remain unclear. The absence of a clear religious motive for his assassination undermines the claim that he died for his faith. Instead, conservative leaders have framed his death as an attack on Christianity itself, a narrative that fuels a sense of persecution among evangelicals who already view themselves as under siege by secular culture.

This persecution complex, as discussed in Forward, reflects a theological paradox: if Christians are not suffering, are they truly faithful? By casting Kirk as a martyr, leaders like Rob McCoy and Luke Barnett tap into this narrative, portraying his death as evidence of a spiritual battle against “radical left political violence.” Such rhetoric risks escalating political tensions and legitimizing calls for vengeance, as warned by experts like Matthew Boedy, who note that “spiritual warfare” language was a significant factor in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The deification of Kirk thus serves a political purpose, rallying conservatives around a figure who symbolizes their cultural and religious grievances.

 The Catholic Perspective: Kirk’s Incomplete Journey

Reports that Kirk was considering conversion to Catholicism, as noted by Bishop Joseph Brennan of Fresno, add complexity to his story but do not justify his elevation to saintly status. Kirk’s admiration for Catholic ideas, such as his defense of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his attendance at Mass with his wife at St. Bernadette Parish in Scottsdale, suggest an openness to Catholicism. However, as Catholicism.org emphasizes, the Catholic Church has consistently taught that there is no salvation outside the Church, and Kirk’s lifelong Protestantism and evangelical beliefs place him outside this framework. The suggestion that he could be canonized, as posed by some Catholic commentators, is “objectively scandalous” and reflective of a modernist tendency to overlook doctrinal differences in favor of ecumenical sentiment.

Even if Kirk was “this close” to converting, his public actions did not reflect the fullness of Catholic social teaching, which emphasizes the dignity of all persons, regardless of race, religion, or orientation. His rejection of empathy and his alignment with Christian nationalist ideologies, such as the Seven Mountain Mandate, are incompatible with the Church’s call to promote justice, peace, and the common good. Cardinal Gerhard Müller’s description of Kirk as a “martyr for Jesus Christ” in a non-canonized sense is equally problematic, as it glosses over Kirk’s divisive rhetoric and assumes a level of spiritual purity that his actions do not support.

 The Danger of Blasphemy and Division

The deification of Charlie Kirk is not only a theological error but also a dangerous precedent that risks further polarizing American Christianity. By elevating a figure who championed divisive and exclusionary rhetoric to the status of martyr or saint, conservative leaders and figures like Cardinal Dolan undermine the Gospel’s message of universal love and reconciliation. This trend aligns with the broader rise of Christian nationalism, which, as The Guardian notes, seeks to impose an explicitly Christian identity on the United States, often at the expense of pluralism and democratic values. Kirk’s adoption of NAR-influenced ideas, such as the Seven Mountain Mandate, reflects this shift toward a more aggressive, power-oriented Christianity that prioritizes cultural dominance over humility and service.

For Catholics, Dolan’s remarks are particularly disheartening, as they risk aligning the Church with a political movement that contradicts its teachings on social justice and the dignity of all persons. The Reddit community r/Christianity expressed outrage at Dolan’s comparison, with users calling it “idolatry and blasphemy” and accusing conservative Christians of “destroying the Gospel” by promoting Kirk as a saintly figure. These reactions highlight the broader disillusionment among Christians who see such rhetoric as a betrayal of the faith’s moral foundations.

 Conclusion: Reclaiming Authentic Christian Witness

Charlie Kirk’s assassination was a tragedy, and his death should be mourned as a loss of human life. However, the rush to deify him as a martyr or saint, and Cardinal Dolan’s comparison to St. Paul, is a profound misstep that distorts Christian theology and exacerbates division. Kirk’s legacy, marked by divisive rhetoric, alignment with white supremacist talking points, and a rejection of empathy, does not align with the Christian virtues of love, forgiveness, and humility. True martyrdom and sainthood are reserved for those who embody Christ’s teachings, including the difficult command to love one’s enemies and pray for those who persecute. By elevating Kirk to such a status, conservative leaders and Catholic figures like Dolan risk undermining the Gospel and alienating those who seek an authentic, moral Christian witness.

Christianity calls its followers to a higher standard—one of compassion, reconciliation, and justice. Kirk’s life, while marked by a professed faith, fell short of this standard in its public expression. Rather than sanctifying his memory, Christians should reflect on his death as a call to reject division and embrace the transformative love that Christ modeled. The Church, both Catholic and evangelical, must resist the temptation to conflate political activism with spiritual sanctity and instead uphold the radical, inclusive love that lies at the heart of the Gospel.

 References

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