We have been appalled (but not entirely surprised given our history) about the numerous posts from teachers and professors who openly and unapologetically celebrated Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination. In recent days, a common narrative that has followed from the Left is this: “Wait, don’t you Conservatives constantly cry out for freedom of speech? What about the free speech rights of these teachers and professors?” We have had many such questions emailed and messaged to us, so we thought we would respond.

Although we acknowledge the incredible importance of free speech to a free society, it is not like there are no limits to free speech. When you threaten someone with violence, it is no longer protected free speech, you can be arrested. When you incite and encourage other people to commit acts of violence, you can be arrested. When you celebrate violence? You are on thin First Amendment ice. This is part of law and order.

One way that the media and various liberal groups have been inciting violence is through the “speech is violence” movement. Their argument is that some speech is so offensive that liberal activists actually have a right to fight that kind of speech with violence. The movement basically justifies violence. The mainstream media have been inciting this kind of violence for years. It has come to a head with the transgender movement. There are increasingly large numbers of people saying that if you think there are only two genders, then you are committing “trans-genocide.” If you think that homosexually is a sin, you are “erasing LGBTQs” and you deserve to be physically erased. This is the heart of the “speech is violence” movement and is causing large number of people in various liberal groups to become radicalized. They think that if you don’t affirm their beliefs, then you are a threat and must be silenced. Increasingly large numbers are using violence to silence people.

So what about the teachers and the professors who have been fired after celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination? What of their free speech rights? If you celebrate a brutal murder, you may get fired. When you say, “one down” you are implying “two, three, and four.” You are supporting more murders of people you find politically offensive. Even if you said something that does not imply continued violence, but expressed a sick degree of joy, you still may face serious consequences in your profession. Why? Because employers have a legal right to have standards of behavior in their workplaces. Most at the very least do not accept a celebration of violence. Racial slurs, sexual comments to women – these likely violate workplace standards.

And when you teach children or young adults or practice medicine, or counsel those needing mental health help, you are held to an even higher standard that should absolutely not glorify or celebrate violence. Teachers and professors are leading the next generation and an alarming number of them were really and truly celebrating the atrocious murder of a husband and father. We are talking, “yeehaw,” “brightens my day,” “let’s keep it going,” “one down” kind of stuff. From teachers. From principals. We pray they may come to know Jesus and repent, but in the meantime, yes, fire them.

We are calling on all Christians to stand up for true free speech. We must proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with more boldness than ever before. We also must teach about moral issues from a Biblical worldview. Inciting violence towards Christians, or anyone else, is not free speech and those doing so must be held to account. Antifa must be declared a domestic terrorist organization. They are the tip of the spear for left wing worldview activists.

For more on how to navigate the anti-Christian agenda in public schools, see our book and resource page.