Charlie Kirk Invitation to Anderson Church, Clemson Dangerous

By Mary Geren

To my dismay, I learned Charlie Kirk will bring his “Critical Racism Tour” to the Upstate next week. He will speak at Clemson University Monday night and Second Chance Church in Anderson Tuesday night.  

Charlie Kirk is the founder of Turning Point USA, a radical conservative organization that peddles conspiracy theories and recruits students and “Christians” to help further divide our nation. 

He makes tons of money from propagating mistruths about the 2020 election, the insurrection, the Covid-19 virus and vaccine, climate change, critical race theory, and so much more. Kirk also had the audacity to tweet that he sent 80 buses full of “patriots” to Washington, D.C. on January 6.

Make no mistake; the participants and organizers of the Jan. 6 insurrection are no patriots. They are domestic terrorists and traitors, nothing more or less. 

While people like Charlie Kirk are nothing new in America, I am especially saddened, frustrated, and angered by my alma mater and former pastor’s welcoming of someone so dangerous.  

Kirk attracts radicals who want to actually shoot people like me and any other American who supports truth, democracy, and science. Seriously, an audience member at one of Kirk’s Idaho events asked when they could start killing Democrats.

Although Kirk “denounced” the use of violence, his entire reasoning was based around the concept that using violence would only play into the enemy’s hands, but he never once said shooting Democrats is not the “Christian” or right thing to do. 

Folks, the university I have loved, where I spent a decade of my life as a student and instructor, and the pastor I supported and defended for 15 years are welcoming and elevating a man who amplifies cultism, hate, and the very worst of humanity. 

This is indeed dangerous territory and so irresponsible of Clemson University and Perry Noble, Pastor of Second Chance Church. 

Ultimately, when inviting the Devil into their homes, they should be prepared to sell their souls because that is how these things usually play out. 

Hopefully, the trade-off is worth it to Clemson University and Second Chance Church. They are losing the respect of good Americans from both political parties while aiding and abetting would-be domestic terrorists. 

There is nothing admirable or Christlike about it. We are at an inflection point in America; in fact, we are at war. The two sides, almost evenly divided, are fighting over preserving our republic or allowing the United States to become an autocracy.  

Cultists like Kirk would have us believe they are the ones fighting for true American ideals. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Why do they worship and emulate Trump despite the fact he is the antithesis of Jesus Christ and patriotism?  

They want to be like him, plain and simple. They want the power, money, and following of gullible sheep who will blindly do their bidding. 

Furthermore, they will abandon anyone who gets in their way, including their followers, congregation, family, friends, or the very nation they claim to love, which begs the question:

What does their support of Charlie Kirk say about Clemson University and Second Chance Church? 

Alas, I am ashamed of these leaders who I thought were genuine public servants putting their students’ and church members’ best interests first. Admittedly, I am also ashamed that I was fooled so easily. 

Unfortunately, I was not the only one duped. The time to choose between democracy or fascism is now; however, we cannot have it both ways regardless of our political affiliation. I implore those who believe the United States can and should be a beacon of freedom for the rest of the world and who believe in putting country before party or cult to join me on Team Democracy. 

We desperately need courageous leaders from both parties to step up. This is about so much more than politics.

Mary Geren is a graduate of Clemson University and Anderson. Geren also serves as executive director of the Anderson County Democratic Party, ough this oped represents her personal opinion and may not reflect the opinion of the party.