Within 24 hours of Charlie Kirks assassination the media and web were abuzz with opinions, outrage, suspicions, accusations, error, fact, and bias. Feeling the need to address our societal outrage, hurt, anxiety, shock, anger, and horror I began to use all the tools available to me to cut through the noise and arrive and some core understanding. The ‘tools’ I refer to include prayer and Bible study, meditation, spiritual discernment, and – most interestingly – Artificial Intelligence. 

Because of the sheer volume of dialogue and the limited time available AI seemed (and still does) one tool to distill all the words into some cohesive thought. So I used Google Gemini, my personal chatbot of choice though I use others also, to research and provide an “Executive Summary” of the the situation. Specifically I gave it the following prompt:  

“From an Episcopal and ELCA theological, moral, and ethical perspective what are reasonable objections to the methods and message of the recently assassinated Charlie Kirk?”

Although not without some assumptions and bias, and certainly not without the possibility of error, I was nonetheless helped by the article that ensued. I post it here in hopes it may be of help to your understanding regardless of your agreement. You may view it as part of Mr. Kirk’s legacy of creating debate or discussion. You may view it as an example of how the Church might use AI now and in the future. Or perhaps you may view it as a negative example. 
Regardless, I would argue it is interesting.

I am least familiar with Charlie Kirk’s messages and conduct. I am most familiar with that of the The Episcopal Church (TEC) and secondly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). I can attest that Google Gemini’s summary of the opinions of the TEC and ELCA is consistent my experience, though it focuses on fewer sources of their teaching than I would wish. I cannot and do not attest to Google Gemini’s assessment of Charlie Kirk’s ideas, message, or conduct. On the other hand, I did not see much obvious error. 

Finally, I wish to be clear. Charlie Kirk’s death was a form of murder, which is clearly condemned by Christ, Holy Scripture, and the Church. His death is tragic on a personal and national level. I can unreservedly express my condolences for all who love Charlie Kirk, my condemnation for this violence, and my love for a nation and society who are struggling immensely with important issues, even ones of life and death. And I can unreservedly attest that Christ and the Light of the Gospel are present and have much to say to all of us in the chaos, grief, anger, and division we are experiencing. 

My prayers are for all; my hope in Christ.

Fr. James+

Google Gemini’s Article: 

“A Theological and Ethical Critique: Reasonable Objections to the Methods and Message of Charlie Kirk from the Perspective of The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America”