During the Sep. 21 memorial for Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk announced that she has forgiven Tyler Robinson of his alleged murder of her husband. She equated her forgiveness to that of Jesus Christ, who implored His Father to forgive those who crucified Him. In my belief, that includes Judas, who betrayed him.
In so doing, Kirk forgives Robinson in the same way we would all want God to forgive us when we fall short.
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Kirk pledged not to seek revenge for her husband’s homicide and, while still enduring her stages of grief (shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance), committed to love Robinson and his enablers as she would want God to love her.
Erika Kirk, wife of slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and the new CEO of Turning Point USA, reacts during a memorial service at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025.
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do,” Kirk said. “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
She can maintain or promote boundaries as to inhibit further harm. Now, however, she cannot retaliate.
Yes, Kirk’s anger and sadness will still come out, since grieving is a prolonged process. But to her credit, she has started the process.
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We can all learn from Kirk. Have we forgiven others for their trespasses in the same manner we would want God to forgive us?
James Kennedy, Smyrna 37167
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What we can all learn from Erika Kirk’s grief | Letters