After Charlie Kirk killing, we must stop this hatred and acrimony

Last week was emotionally difficult for so many of us. The somber 24th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, brought back, as it always does, memories of those killed that day and those who have since died from 9/11 related illnesses, and the families that still tear up for them. We remember the horror of watching the twin towers billowing with smoke before collapsing.

There was another tragedy, just the day before, as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was murdered at an on-campus event in Utah.

Another act of senseless violence left a young wife and two small children without a husband and a father. We recoiled at the images of this young man being fatally struck by a bullet from a high-powered rifle.

Sadly, these attacks seem to be happening more frequently. The two assassination attempts on President Trump as he campaigned for office last summer, the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the attempted murders of Steve Scalise and Gabby Giffords, and, let’s not forget, the terrible school shootings in Minnesota, Colorado, and elsewhere. The list goes on.

What’s driving this bitter hatred, this paroxysm of outrage and retribution?

There are many factors, I’m sure. But isn’t our overheated rhetoric, our automatic, knee-jerk reaction to, at a minimum, verbally attack anyone who has a different opinion, another point of view, at least partially, if not largely to blame?

I’m old enough to remember when it was possible to speak respectfully with those with whom we disagreed.

To use an example from the not-so-distant past, President Ronald Reagan, a conservative Republican, and House Speaker Tip O’Neill, a liberal Democrat, were almost always at odds politically, with two distinct world views on the size and role of government. Still, they were friends who liked each other personally and treated each other with respect and dignity. Hard to imagine that happening today between the leaders of either party.

Another major contributor to this climate of hatred and acrimony is the online echo chamber that many people now inhabit. It’s impossible to walk down the street today without passing a majority of the people with their noses stuck in their phones. A great many, I fear, are consuming videos and posts that reinforce and deepen the idea that “the other guy” is evil, a threat, something that must be destroyed.

Most people, it must be said, even those who consume such media, don’t respond with physical violence. But, we must ask, does it engender violence in our hearts, minds, and souls?

What’s the solution? Is there a solution?

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, “for they will be called children of God.”

How do we make peace?

I will confess that I am only online when someone hands me a phone or an iPad to show me something, and so had not seen any videos of Charlie Kirk interacting with others. I’m told, though, by those who know that he was a tireless advocate of dialogue, debate, and conversation as the cornerstones of keeping our democracy safe. Seems like a good first step to me.

We mustn’t stop there, though. It’s important to reclaim the idea that we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and that each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. It is a most dangerous, and sometimes literally deadly idea that other people are not worthy of our respect, whether it be a newly arrived immigrant, an unborn baby in her mother’s womb, an elder in the last stages of life, a person of another race or faith, or even a member of a different political party.

Can I make two suggestions?

First, focus on issues, not people. Keep personalities to the side. It’s better to say “I support this…” or “I am against this…” and explain why, than to say “So and so is a terrible person for supporting…” Issues, not individuals.

Second, and far more important: prayer. I know in some quarters the idea of prayer in the face of tragedy is mocked and derided.

But think about it for a moment. First, God is there to help us. He wants us to come seeking His assistance. Also, when we pray, we are — or we should be — in a posture of humility, supplication, mindful of our own faults and sinfulness. “Lord, I am not worthy . . .” is our realization.

If we can approach God in such a manner and do so consistently, maybe we can begin to approach other people as His sons and daughters, with humility, mindful that the imperfections we might perceive in others are, at the very least, just as present in ourselves.

I know I need to spend as much time as I can on my knees, asking for God’s help. If we can recapture that spirit in our country, I am sure our overheated rhetoric and resultant bitterness and division would largely disappear. Please God, you’ll join me in the effort.

Cardinal Dolan is the archbishop of New York.