Faith Over Politics: Reflections on the Charlie Kirk Tragedy & The Elevation of the Cross

Reflecting on the Charlie Kirk tragedy, faith over politics, and unity at the Elevation of the Holy Cross. 

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Extended Show Notes:
In this episode of All Around Growth, Rob Kaiser reflects on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and the deep cultural divisions it revealed.

Rob begins by grounding the discussion in the facts: Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10th, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, was arrested days later. Rob emphasizes the tragedy of the event regardless of one’s political stance and shares his limited but respectful impressions of Kirk as a debater and public speaker.

The episode then shifts to Rob’s personal experience on social media, where he made a post anticipating that the assassination would stir up highly emotional and polarized reactions. By pointing out that people’s comments would “reveal a lot,” Rob essentially suggested that such a tragic event had become a litmus test — exposing whether individuals truly respect principles like open debate and free speech, or whether they let hostility, partisanship, or insensitivity take over. It’s both a warning and a reminder to watch how others (and maybe even oneself) respond in moments of crisis.

Rob also recounts attending a prayer service in Medina, Ohio, organized shortly after the shooting. With 2,500–3,000 attendees, the service included prayer, worship, and moments of silence. Significantly, it coincided with the Orthodox Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Rob reflects on how this timing symbolized the triumph of life and hope over tragedy, and he stresses the importance of Christians uniting across denominations during times of trial.

Ultimately, Rob concludes that healing comes not from political debate but from faith and returning to God. He encourages listeners to rebuild relationships and strengthen their communities through their faith, not through partisan conflict.

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📖 Learn more about the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross: OrthodoxWiki.org