The Charlie Kirk Effect (vis a vis Jesus)

By Michael Griego on September 26, 2025 • ( 0 )

In the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, there continues to be a natural human dynamic that drives people to one extreme or another. It’s actually an attraction or repulsion of Jesus. ◊

There seems to be an interesting shift across America since the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah earlier this month.

As highlighted in a recent post written within days of his killing, (see Charlie Kirk, the Martyr, 9/12/25), public emotions ranged from shock, horror, sadness, and anger, to even some who celebrated the death of someone they disagreed with politically and religiously.

Before his death three weeks ago, according to a poll conducted by YouGov / Economist, it appears that approximately 70% of people may have heard his name and were aware of him, with another 26% not aware of him at all.¹

Very familiar – 24%
Somewhat familiar – 29%
Not very familiar – 17%
Not at all familiar – 26% (not aware)

Within this breakdown, it’s fair to classify people into 3 major groups: Supporters, Opponents, and those that are Neutral. I’ve added the percentages based on the same YouGov poll which also asked people if their opinion of him was favorable or unfavorable.

Supporters of Charlie Kirk – 36%
Opponents of Charlie Kirk – 35%
Neutral on Charlie Kirk – 29%

Now that everyone has become aware of Charlie Kirk since the shooting, the shift is not just coming from those in the Neutral camp who are deciding now to be supportive or opposed to what Charlie Kirk represented.

There’s movement up and down the spectrum.

The Charlie Kirk Effect (vis a vis Jesus)
I would now break down the masses into subgroups reflecting what I would call the Charlie Kirk Effect (vis a vis Jesus), which primarily sees an impact on growth of people’s attraction or repulsion of Jesus.

Devoted Disciples of Jesus (Supporters)
Followers of Charlie Kirk (Supporters)
Neutral on Charlie Kirk (Neutral)
Somewhat Opposed to Charlie Kirk (Opponents)
Hateful of Charlie Kirk (Opponents)

I would maintain that while some Supporters of Charlie Kirk are true Devoted Disciples of Jesus Christ (Group 1); some Supporters are simply Followers of Charlie Kirk (Group 2), not necessarily sold-out disciples of Christ. Think of how many conservative Republicans are not true devotees of Jesus. They may believe in conservative principles, but may actually be agnostic or non-Christian.

I believe that with Charlie’s model and martyrdom, the Charlie Kirk Effect (vis a vis Jesus) will drive many of those in Group 2 to reevaluate their own understanding and commitment to Jesus, and many will become deeper Devoted Disciples of Jesus over time. It might start with discussions with other Christians, joining a Bible study, attending a Bible-teaching/Christ-following church.

Group 1 will therefore grow over time.

At the same time, some of those now in the Neutral segment (Group 3), will gravitate into the Followers of Charlie Kirk, Group 2. Over the past 3 weeks, Kirk’s Turning Point USA has taken in over 54,000 new chapter inquiries from college and high school students (Newsmax).

Group 2 will therefore grow over time. And then, over time, some will be discipled into Devoted Disciples of Jesus.

And then again, there are even those who today are Somewhat Opposed to Charlie Kirk (Group 4), but through their own research of Charlie’s comments made in full context or through growing exposure of Turning Point USA on their campus, may move first into the Neutral (Group 3) before they move up the line.

It’s like the gradual transition of a non-Christian who transforms to become a Seeker, then a Believer, then a sold-out fully devoted disciple of Jesus. It’s happened ever since Jesus rose from the dead and Christianity was launched.

But finally, there are those who are Hateful of Charlie Kirk (Group 5) who have actually become even more militant and vocal about their hatred of Kirk, TPUSA, and anyone associated with it. It seems to have gotten worse after 3 weeks. Realistically, some of those in Group 4 may go in this direction as well.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t bode well for a nation trying to calm it’s cultural divide.

The Impact of the Conspiracy Narratives
And now, even as these natural human dynamics drive people to one extreme or the other on this spectrum, anyone paying close attention is being exposed to any number of disseminated conspiracy stories that contracdict the official narrative of the shooter, the gun, the wound, the security, the videos, the motive, the plan, etc.

All of it drives the need for someone or something who represents Truth. It always can come back to Jesus and the Bible, and the God of the Bible, who gave us Jesus, the Savior of a lost and corrupted world. It’s not always pretty, but as seen throughout the Old and New Testament, God always wins.

So, here we are again. Do not be discouraged or disheartened. But know that good will prevail ultimately in God’s Kingdom here on earth in this present darkness through the living power of the Holy Spirit. Even in the midst of losses and setbacks, our hope and peace come in knowing, like Charlie Kirk, and countless other devoted Jesus-followers, that this world is temporal and our God has good and eternal plans beyond what we can fathom, for those who love Him and call Him Lord.

Where are you on the spectrum of the Charlie Kirk Effect (vis a vis Jesus)?
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

¹YouGov / Economist, poll conducted on September 12, 2025 with n ≈ 2,974.