{"id":29129,"date":"2025-09-23T13:24:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=29129"},"modified":"2025-09-23T13:24:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:24:32","slug":"not-a-martyr-black-pastors-confront-the-legacy-of-charlie-kirk-after-his-assassination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2025\/09\/not-a-martyr-black-pastors-confront-the-legacy-of-charlie-kirk-after-his-assassination","title":{"rendered":"‘Not a Martyr’: Black Pastors Confront the Legacy of Charlie Kirk After His Assassination"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Left: New Birth Mbc \/ YouTube | Right: @turningpointusa \/ Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University, Black Christian leaders across the country are challenging the rush to sanctify the conservative commentator’s legacy. While many mourn Kirk as a martyr, pastors like Howard-John Wesley and Jamal Bryant are calling attention to his history of racist rhetoric and divisive politics\u2014urging churches not to confuse public grief with theological endorsement.<\/p>\n

Their sermons, now widely circulated, reflect a broader reckoning within the Black Church about the cost of silence, the misuse of faith for political ends, and the enduring struggle for racial justice in American Christianity.<\/p>\n

On September 10, 2025, Turning Point CEO and conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated<\/a> at an event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was pronounced dead at the nearby Timpanogos Regional Hospital.<\/p>\n

The main suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was apprehended after a family friend and his parents brought him to law enforcement the day after the shooting occurred. His roommate has been assisting investigators by showing text messages exchanged with Robinson about Robinson’s assassination plans.<\/p>\n

Kirk’s death evoked numerous responses from Americans. Some celebrated<\/a> the political assassination, to the horror of Kirk’s supporters and even disdain from many of his opponents. Others hailed Kirk as a Christian martyr<\/a>. Some even saw Kirk’s death as a call to war<\/a> against the Left.<\/p>\n

Yet the majority of American political leaders spoke out condemning the act of violence that ended Kirk’s life. Prominent Democrats such as Sen. Bernie Sanders<\/a>, Sen. Cory Booker<\/a>, who delivered the longest recorded Senate speech in protest against President Donald Trump from March 31 to April 1, 2025, and Rep. Ilhan Omar<\/a> have spoken out in response to the Utah Valley shooting.<\/p>\n

There have been other responses, however, which have sought to balance the tragedy of the Kirk assassination with the reality of Kirk’s legacy.<\/p>\n

While some Americans, such as Ezra Klein, lauded Kirk for “practicing politics the right way<\/a> ” and others praised Kirk for engaging in “good faith debate<\/a>,” numerous others took a more critical stance. This was especially prominent among several Black Christian leaders.<\/p>\n

Two Black pastors in particular went viral for how they addressed Kirk’s death in their sermons. “Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be assassinated,” said Rev. Howard-John Wesley<\/a> on Sunday morning, September 14. “But I’m overwhelmed . . . calling this nation to honor and venerate a man who was an unapologetic racist and spent all of his life sowing seeds of division and hate into this land.”<\/p>\n

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Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley: \u201cCharlie Kirk did not deserve to be assassinated. But I\u2019m overwhelmed seeing the flags of the United States of America at half-staff calling this nation to honor and venerate a man who was an unapologetic racist and spent all of his life sowing seeds\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/rIh2cCjMk2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) September 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n