I had seen snippets of Kirk on various social media sites. I was not a fan, believe me. However, there are some in my family who idolized him and do not understand why I was not a fan. After his death, however, I have snoozed extremes on both sides on my social media page. The vitriol coming from both sides were giving me a headache (although I tend to agree with one side.). That meant snoozing members Iof my family and some friends. I did not watch the funereal. I knew that Christian Nationalism would be on display full force and that it would turn into a political side show. I am encouraged that voices such as Brian's are beginning to be heard and that people are taking note that there are Christians who are standing against Christian Nationalism
The context does not actually make the comments okay. That's why I included a link for every single quote, so people could read more. I'm not hiding from the context. I've watched hours of Kirk over the years; this is who is was. -Brian
Several sources are from his political enemies. Did that factor into your studies for your doctorate in Political Communication?
The issue is not whether his comments were “okay,” whatever that means. The context changes the meaning in most of those quotes, often into a meaning contrary to the one without the context.
I’m glad to know you have watched extended videos. But that’s only compounds your error: You have no excuse.
Again, agree or disagree, just be fair and accurate!
Brian, thank you very much for this, very well done. I must confess ignorance about Kirk. Before he was killed I had not heard any of his speeches, and pronouncements. Really, knew nothing about him. Sadly, the views he presented represent MAGA world - 35-40% of our population, and apparently a significant segment of people who claim to be followers of Jesus. The "faith" perspective of the artists you named (I am ignorant of those folks also, although, I expect some of what gets sung by our Minister of Music most likely comes from them) may sound good from the lyrics of their music. However, tying them to Kirk Speak betrays a great deal of ignorance of what Jesus taught, at least from my perspective. So very, very disturbing!
Brian, I get where you’re coming from . . . there might be plenty of statements Kirk has made that deserve to be challenged. But your “worshipwashing” argument actually weakens the case. By your logic, someone could’ve said the same thing about MLK’s memorial, where worship and politics were just as interwoven (multiple national leaders in attendance, political speeches given, prayers offered, and worship songs sung side by side). And your claim that two hours of worship “framed everything as a church service” is less a fact than an assertion. It’s your opinion that the music functioned that way; someone else could just as easily see this as ordinary and expected of a largely Christian audience attending a memorial service for a noted Christian.
Add to that the reality that when the deceased is a public figure, a Christian, and their vocation was politics (as opposed to, say, a dentist, barista, or professor), worship and political reflection at the memorial aren’t evidence of manipulation—they’re inevitable. It's simply unavoidable (again, consider the MLK memorials at Ebenezer and Morehouse). What then clearly emerges from your reflection is that what you’re actually objecting to isn’t the blending of worship and politics, but rather it’s Kirk’s politics/statements themselves. Fine, so be it. But by leaning on weak points like this, you actually hurt the credibility of what could be a much stronger critique.
I had seen snippets of Kirk on various social media sites. I was not a fan, believe me. However, there are some in my family who idolized him and do not understand why I was not a fan. After his death, however, I have snoozed extremes on both sides on my social media page. The vitriol coming from both sides were giving me a headache (although I tend to agree with one side.). That meant snoozing members Iof my family and some friends. I did not watch the funereal. I knew that Christian Nationalism would be on display full force and that it would turn into a political side show. I am encouraged that voices such as Brian's are beginning to be heard and that people are taking note that there are Christians who are standing against Christian Nationalism
Thanks! -Brian
Mustn't "a public witness" avoid bearing FALSE witness? Kaylor does not represent Kirk accurately.
https://km678.substack.com/p/a-public-false-witness
The context does not actually make the comments okay. That's why I included a link for every single quote, so people could read more. I'm not hiding from the context. I've watched hours of Kirk over the years; this is who is was. -Brian
Bullshit. Just stop. And stop avoiding the issue.
Your links do not provide any context at all.
Several sources are from his political enemies. Did that factor into your studies for your doctorate in Political Communication?
The issue is not whether his comments were “okay,” whatever that means. The context changes the meaning in most of those quotes, often into a meaning contrary to the one without the context.
I’m glad to know you have watched extended videos. But that’s only compounds your error: You have no excuse.
Again, agree or disagree, just be fair and accurate!
Good Amos quote!
Thanks! -Brian
Spot on, Brian! Thank you for this!
Thanks! -Brian
Brian, thank you very much for this, very well done. I must confess ignorance about Kirk. Before he was killed I had not heard any of his speeches, and pronouncements. Really, knew nothing about him. Sadly, the views he presented represent MAGA world - 35-40% of our population, and apparently a significant segment of people who claim to be followers of Jesus. The "faith" perspective of the artists you named (I am ignorant of those folks also, although, I expect some of what gets sung by our Minister of Music most likely comes from them) may sound good from the lyrics of their music. However, tying them to Kirk Speak betrays a great deal of ignorance of what Jesus taught, at least from my perspective. So very, very disturbing!
Thanks! -Brian
Love the framing of quotes and song lyrics.
Thanks! -Brian
Brian, I get where you’re coming from . . . there might be plenty of statements Kirk has made that deserve to be challenged. But your “worshipwashing” argument actually weakens the case. By your logic, someone could’ve said the same thing about MLK’s memorial, where worship and politics were just as interwoven (multiple national leaders in attendance, political speeches given, prayers offered, and worship songs sung side by side). And your claim that two hours of worship “framed everything as a church service” is less a fact than an assertion. It’s your opinion that the music functioned that way; someone else could just as easily see this as ordinary and expected of a largely Christian audience attending a memorial service for a noted Christian.
Add to that the reality that when the deceased is a public figure, a Christian, and their vocation was politics (as opposed to, say, a dentist, barista, or professor), worship and political reflection at the memorial aren’t evidence of manipulation—they’re inevitable. It's simply unavoidable (again, consider the MLK memorials at Ebenezer and Morehouse). What then clearly emerges from your reflection is that what you’re actually objecting to isn’t the blending of worship and politics, but rather it’s Kirk’s politics/statements themselves. Fine, so be it. But by leaning on weak points like this, you actually hurt the credibility of what could be a much stronger critique.