Freedom! Now there’s a loaded word!

I’ve always been a movie buff. In fact, my family grew up randomly inserting movie quotes into everyday conversations. I don’t know why. It’s just something we always did. It always seemed to put a smile on a face or two.

One of the quotes I recall repeating is from the 1995 film Braveheart staring Mel Gibson. Just before the Battle of Stirling Bridge, William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) delivered a moving speech. He passionately spoke from his steed, “I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You’ve come to fight as free men and free men you are. What will you do without freedom? Will you fight?” Some wanted to give up but with the skill of a born leader he reminded them that this was a defining moment and that freedom was worth fighting for. “They may take our lives,” he said, “but they will never take our freedom!”

On September 10, 2025, it was proved once again that freedom can be costly! Charlie Kirk, who often wore a t-shirt with “freedom” printed on it, was the target of an assassin’s bullet. What crime did he commit that was deserving of death? His only crime (if you can call it that) was freely expressing his views, views that someone else didn’t agree with.

Why would someone stoop as low as taking someone’s life? Should we be surprised? It’s the same tactic that Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, and many others used ... eliminate any who disagree. That’s not the answer and that’s not freedom.

There are those who continue to spread lies about his person, his message, and his method. Some say that “he got what was coming to him.” Others continue to call him (and anyone who agrees with him) narrow, bigoted, hateful, fascist, anti-gay, and the list goes on.

On the other hand, I’m encouraged by the millions of people who are waking up to the truth. A countless number attended a rally in London, England, calling for freedom of speech. Charlie Kirk’s pictures and signs were everywhere! Some estimates state that over a million people flooded the streets that day. Charlie and his message are more well-know today than ever before.

Charlie Kirk was a very strong believer. He believed the words of Jesus as found in John’s gospel. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Charlie was a man who did just that. He wasn’t afraid to talk about the difficult subjects, and he did so respectfully and with grace ... and he always spoke the truth. May God give those of us who follow Jesus the same courage to speak the truth in love, no matter what the cost.