Since his tragic assassination, Charlie Kirk has been hailed by many as a paragon of civil discourse. Civility seems to be in short supply these days. The word itself comes from ‘civitas,’ Latin for citizen. The root of the word suggests a duty to treat fellow citizens with respect.

Charlie practiced the sort of civility Abraham Lincoln once encouraged: “When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind, unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted…If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.” Charlie was a friend to many.

Charlie devoted much of his energy to guiding young people towards a vision of the good life rooted in transcendent truths. He declared to all who would listen that the Christian faith is the best and only way to achieve freedom in its truest sense. 

The young husband and father often encouraged people to “Get married, have kids, and stop partying into oblivion. Leave a legacy, be courageous.” Whether on campus or online, Charlie was a city on a hill in an age slouching towards nihilism and hedonism.

He understood that the education of young minds must coincide with the moral development of their hearts. He espoused to a confused generation the connection between goodness and freedom — that to be truly free, one must first learn to be good.

The political and religious convictions that defined Charlie’s life and legacy were, in his mind, inseparably linked. Many great men who reside in the pantheon of American heroes have said as much:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports… let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion,” warned Washington.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other,” wrote John Adams.

“Belief in a God all-powerful, wise, and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it can not be drawn from too many sources,” declared James Madison.

These words and Charlie’s example of pious patriotism ought to inspire us to renew our devotion to our country, to our God, and to one another. Now is the time for civility and faith — the two cornerstones of Charlie’s work.

To honor Charlie’s legacy, join us and other young conservatives from across the state in attending a Turning Point USA event at Montana State University on October 7, featuring Governor Gianforte and Vivek Ramaswamy as speakers. Get involved and help lead our nation forward using the civility and faith Charlie exemplified.

Representative Braxton Mitchell

House District 5

Andrew Pierce

MTGOP Executive Director

Published in Lee Enterprises newspapers, October 4, 2025
https://missoulian.com/opinion/column/article_ceb781d7-c5fe-4cb2-abda-3c6ef2984b7f.html