There is no good that will come from all the divisive talk about the death of Charlie Kirk. The blame game sucks on both ends.

The truth is that, as a democratic society, America is so divided we are all torn apart. Where it ends, no one knows. Until people of all religions realize that God is the same God for everyone, then “In God We Trust” is a slogan that skews the concept of separation of church and state. If we are to honor that axiom, then we should also know that man’s laws are not the same as religious laws.

Religions around the world believe they are right. Governments around the world believe they are right. But the truth is, no one knows ultimate truth, no matter what they have been taught or what they feel, think or believe. Therefore, it must be left up to the individual to determine for themselves.

That is what the Founding Fathers meant to convey in the Constitution. Whatever belief anyone chooses, they will either find bliss or nothingness when their day of rest comes. But to saddle everyone else with their individual faith is unforgivable. Ultimate truth is a mirage. No one should die for their beliefs.

What is devastating about the killing of Charlie Kirk and his assassin is that they were both so misguided as to think their moral, religious and political beliefs were universal. Both of them are wrong.

That is the fly in the ointment.

— Mel Theobald, Chicago

What would Jesus do?

I may be very naive. I have assumed that Christian nationalists were thinking they were devout Christians. My understanding of being Christian, however, seems quite disparate from the ideology that has become so prevalent in the past several months in our country. I do not view it as endorsing and spreading name-calling, gun toting, finger-pointing, vitriol, hedonism, racism, you-name-it phobia, misogyny, lying and sanctimoniousness in the name of Jesus Christ while decrying the concept of empathy as weak and angering.

What happened? Let’s sacrifice lives to shootings, so we can keep the (now-archaic) Second Amendment that was enacted when single-shot muskets prevailed. Women have been re-relegated to bowing to their husbands when not producing babies. All in the name of God.

Look around, people. We are not God-like and certainly not great. While I never related to the “WWJD” bracelets, I’m finding myself now asking: What would Jesus do with this hatred and intolerance toward people, especially people who don’t match us (measure up) in lockstep?

The Christian nationalists need to stop the hypocrisy, loaded with inflammatory, sanctimonious rhetoric that endorses evil acts and speech, and look in the mirror through an honest lens.

— Jacqueline Roig, Chicago

Civility disappearing

I know I’m not the only one upset about the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. It concerns me that there has been a marked increase in political violence. However, President Donald Trump is blaming the increase on “the radicals on the left.”

I don’t think either political party is to blame for the significant violence increase. However, Trump has definitely added to the fear and hate people are displaying throughout our country. What we need is to find a way to discuss opposing views without getting confrontational or enraged. I remember having conversations with people who I disagreed with, and we were able to talk to each other civilly. That doesn’t happen anymore.

We need suggestions on ways to express our differences without hurting or even killing each other. We need to find a way to move forward and lessen the increased tension we are all feeling.

We need to find a way to keep our democracy from disappearing.

— Frances Moore, Evanston

Descriptor for Kirk

Articles in the Tribune do the paper’s readers a disservice by continually calling Charlie Kirk a “provocateur,” which demeans his message and diminishes Kirk and those who agree with him.

Kirk’s message was one of conservative values. The Tribune has covered abortion clinics without demeaning them. The Tribune has covered gay rights without demeaning gay people. At least give Christian speakers today the dignity they deserve by using appellations that are at least neutral.

— Ira Schafer, Bourbonnais, Illinois

Condemn celebration

I have read many pieces about the death of Charlie Kirk in the Tribune. Every piece, from the op-ed by professor Jonathan Zimmerman in Sunday’s paper (“To stop political violence, stop hating on others”) to the many Associated Press and New York Times articles, should be applauded for condemning political violence.

However, real courage from these authors would be to also condemn people who celebrate the death of Kirk.

— Michael Dejanovich, Crown Point, Indiana

Another Civil War?

To those calling for an American Civil War:

Have you thought about what a war would mean to each and every one of us? Are states going to declare their independence and leave the Union? Which states? Is this going to be a war between Democrats and Republicans? Is Illinois going to war against Indiana? Is it going to be Cook County against DuPage? Will it come down to block by block? Are you going to take up arms against your neighbor?

Once the war starts, who gets to call themselves American? Who’s the real government? Do we all stop paying taxes? Does Congress dissolve itself? What happens to the Treasury? Are all laws null and void?

Have you seen the reports from the Sudan where neighbors are fighting each other? Do you want to live in constant fear? Do you really hate that much? Talk to the people who lived through “the Troubles” in Ireland. Look up the civil wars going on right now. Do you want to live like that?

These feuds last for 20, 30, 50 or 100 years, and now, no one knows what started it.

It is time to stop all the hate talk and sit down and have real conversations about what is wrong and, more importantly, what is right about our country. How do we fix this?

Take the time to reflect on the meaning of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Do you still believe those words and ideas?

I’ll end this with the words of Abraham Lincoln: “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

— Lauren Szwiec, Glenview

Change the narrative

Like many Americans, I was shocked and appalled by the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. While I may not have agreed with his political and social views, I strongly support the right of every American to express themselves in a respectful manner. I have unequivocally advocated the adage, “We can respectfully agree to disagree.” Violence has no place in a civilized, democratic society.

Sadly, social media and the current political climate in Washington, D.C., have exacerbated the growing divide in this nation. Extremism on both the far left and far right has supplanted moderate views and pragmatism. We can no longer have civil political conversations. Dogmatism and absolutism have become the norm. Rather than listening to differing perspectives, it has devolved into choosing sides: right or wrong, good or bad.

The time has come for our political leaders to tone down the negative rhetoric, truly start listening and actively seek meaningful solutions. Compromise must be embraced and not seen as a sign of weakness or defeat. Petty name-calling or picking and choosing when to demonstrate empathy and support based on whether you are a blue or red state must cease.

We are not blue, red or purple states. We are the United States. We are bonded by personal freedom, equality and opportunity. It is imperative that we collectively alter the current narrative. The world is watching anxiously.

— Lawrence E. Bonk, Roselle

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/16/letters-091625-charlie-kirk/