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What is the real cause of violence?
In a recent video published on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel, Father Mike Schmitz attempts to answer this profound question as he shares his perspective on the assassination and death of Charlie Kirk.
Father Mike filmed his response two short days after Kirk’s assassination.
(It’s worth noting that the Christmas decor present in the background is due to other filming obligations.)
He begins the video by addressing the string of violence that has gripped our communities in recent weeks. He mentions not only recent events, but the very terrorist attack that gripped our nation 24 years ago on September 11, 2001.
Father Mike denounces the evil occurring not only in our nation but around the world. Then, he reveals why he feels the need to talk about the assassination of Charlie Kirk specifically.
“Not only because here’s an innocent man who is now dead. Why? Because he went on college campuses and talked to students, professors, and anyone who was willing to talk with him? That’s a problem,” Schmitz begins. “It marks something in our society.”
Father Mike goes on to explain the nature of original sin and God’s gift of freedom, which allows us to choose love over evil–or vice versa. However, he notes that the larger problem we’re facing today comes down to worldview.
“What we believe about this world, ourselves, about God, it matters. It makes a difference,” he says.
Father Mike then touches on the concept of objective truth:
“When it comes to Charlie Kirk, if you believe that there’s no such thing as objective reality, no such thing as objective truth, all there is is your truth and my truth, and someone is speaking against what you think is true, they’re doing violence with their words…There’s some people who believe that all there is is subjective truth.”
He notes that subjective truth is what people sometimes think is more tolerant. But it’s not.
Father Mike warns of the chaos that comes from a lack of objective truth in our society.
“What happens if all we have is subjective truth? What happens, though, when we really, really disagree about what’s true for you but not true for me or vice versa?” he asks.
“There must be something more than subjective truth that we can pursue. And thanks be to God, there is.”
Father Mike explains that certain things are true at all times, in all places, for all people. These things are true or false regardless of whether you know it, like it, or believe it.
Charlie Kirk, he believes, strived to pursue the objective truth alongside those who disagreed with him. He adds that this approach is the most helpful for a holy, healthy, and united society than any other.
Objective truths unite us.
The worldview about our God-given dignity can provide a fantastic starting point for any disagreement or difference in opinion.
Father Mike adds that a worldview revolving around “true for you but not true for me, and nothing more than that results in mob rule, violence, and we don’t talk anymore.”
He echoes Charlie Kirk’s belief that once conversation stops, violence starts.
Our conversations have to begin with the mutual understanding of God’s love for each of us and our human dignity.
“If that’s our starting point, that you have dignity and you’re loved by God…and our ending point is God wants us all to be with him forever in heaven, then I can’t just embrace as my mantra what’s true for you and not true for me, or ‘you do you.’ I have to go beyond that. Be willing to have those hard conversations.”
He concludes the video by saying that we are all sinners in need of grace. Everyone we encounter is a sinner in need of grace.
Humanity is broken.