OPINION: When politics turns to violence, we all lose
Becky Funk
By Becky Funk
This week, America was shaken, yet again, when conservative leader Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. Despite doctors’ efforts, he did not survive. His death is a sobering reminder of just how far political tensions have gone in our country.
Leaders from both sides of the aisle were quick to condemn the shooting, as they should, but condemnation alone is not enough. We must confront political extremism head-on — on both the far right and the far left — or we will continue to see violence threaten not just politicians and influencers, but neighbors, communities, and the very idea of civil debate.
When politics turns into a war, it’s ordinary people who get hurt. We’ve seen it before: churches vandalized, campaign offices firebombed, judges threatened at their homes, and now public figures gunned down in broad daylight.
Some on the far left preach “resistance” so fiercely that they demonize anyone with conservative values. Some on the far right preach “patriotism” so fiercely that they label anyone who disagrees a traitor. Both extremes share the same flaw: they treat political opponents not as fellow Americans, but as enemies to destroy.
That is not the American way. It certainly isn’t the Christian way. As a Christian, I believe a central truth: every person is made in the image of God. That means every single one of us carries dignity and worth — not because of our party registration, but because of who created us.
Politics becomes a poisoned well when we forget that truth. We dehumanize our neighbors, co-workers, and family members when we define them as merely “liberal” or “conservative.” And once people are dehumanized, violence becomes easier to justify.
We should absolutely have passionate debates about the future of our schools, taxes, and freedoms. But we must not cross the line into hatred. Words matter. Leaders, candidates, pastors, the media, and even social media users have a responsibility to tone down the rhetoric.
This is especially true for pastors and political leaders. Both groups hold enormous influence over how people see the world and those around them. With their platforms, they can either fuel resentment or point us toward peace. Please hear me. It’s time to stop giving microphones and pulpits to those who thrive on stirring up hatred and division. We do not need louder voices of anger. We need courageous political leaders who will call us back to decency and civility. We need Godly pastors who challenge us to live loudly Jesus’ call to love our neighbor and recognize that even those we disagree with are still Americans, and still made in the image of God.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a tragic reminder of where unchecked division and hatred can lead. It’s not enough to blame “the other side.” Each of us must take responsibility for how we talk, how we act, and how we treat those who see the world differently.
Our nation was built on the idea that free people can debate, disagree, and still live together in peace. We won’t preserve that freedom by seeing each other as mortal enemies. We’ll preserve it by seeing each other as fellow citizens — and, more deeply, as image bearers of God.
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Becky Funk is a member of North Idaho Republicans, President of North Idaho Republican Women, and a past chair for Legislative District 4 Republican.