Erika Kirk has been remarkably poised and dignified in the aftermath of the carnage that felled her husband, Charlie Kirk, on September 10. There is no joy in second-guessing a widow whose grief is so strong, and pain is so fresh.
However, as much as Erika’s public declaration of forgiveness for suspected assassin Tyler Robinson epitomizes private grace, her gesture and similar others could endanger public safety.
“I forgive him because it was what Christ did and what Charlie would do,” Erika said.
This defiant woman of faith is perfectly entitled to this approach. If it comforts her amid this horror, all the better. (RELATED: Republican Responsibility for Charlie Kirk’s Assassination)
Conversely, I strongly believe that there should be no forgiveness without repentance.
Imagine that Robinson said, “I cannot fathom what I did. I was in a state of rage and desperate to impress my transgender boyfriend. The second I pulled the trigger, I realized my responsibility for something grotesque.
“I am haunted by the darkness that I heaped upon the Kirk family. I never would have done this, had I foreseen the profound misery and devastation that I unleashed.
“I am deeply ashamed of myself and very, very sorry. Please forgive me.”
Such genuine atonement could warrant forgiveness. But the alleged gunman has made no such apology — at least not publicly.
Consider the tragedy of Austin Metcalf. The 17-year-old honor student and identical twin was stabbed to death at an April 2 high-school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
The accused killer, Karmelo Anthony, has expressed no remorse. Instead, his family spokesman has portrayed Anthony as the real victim who suffers at the hands of bigots.
“This case is yet another example of what it means to be black in America, where even our self-defense is questioned, scrutinized, and politicized,” Dominique Alexander complained in June, via X. “Stand with us in the fight against white supremacy.”
Nonetheless, Metcalf’s father forgave Anthony, who must have laughed all the way to his release on bail.
Remember Dylann Storm Roof? He was convicted of gunning down parishioners at a Charleston, South Carolina, church after studying the Bible with them for 45 minutes. Roof killed nine worshippers on June 17, 2015.
Regardless, multiple survivors of Roof’s victims exculpated this mass murderer.
“I forgive you,” said Nadine Collier, two days after Roof killed her mother, Ethel Lance. Collier continued: “You took something very precious away from me, but I forgive you.”
This is not helpful.
Criminals, especially homicidal ones, must pay a legal price for their wickedness, but they must pay a moral price, too.
Forgiveness without penitence gives these cockroaches discount coupons on that moral price…
Forgiveness without penitence gives these cockroaches discount coupons on that moral price, or even full moral freebies, despite their evil ways.
Even worse, unhinged individuals surely watched Erika forgive Charlie’s alleged assailant. She did so before 90,000 people at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Another 20.3 million witnesses tuned in worldwide.
How many madmen in that massive audience are thinking: “Erika Kirk forgave today’s most notorious living assassin. So, assassination must be no big deal. Great! Where’s my rifle?”
Some argue that forgiving murderers lets survivors avoid drowning in bitterness toward their loved ones’ killers. For instance, Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff, told Fox News this about Karmelo Anthony: “I forgive the other person, because the forgiveness is not for him. The forgiveness is for me, so I can have peace.”
Compelling point.
Nonetheless, such absolution belongs in silent prayers, quiet meditation, and deep thoughts — where the diabolical cannot transform words of mercy into licenses to kill.
Free-of-charge forgiveness enriches the worst people (“Yay! I am forgiven!”) while asking nothing of them in return. Indeed, some explicitly declare their lack of contrition.
Charleston mass-killer Dylann Roof wrote in his journal: “I do not regret what I did. I am not sorry.” He added: “I remember how good it felt to do what I did, and I think it was worth it.”
Such unrepentant monsters do not deserve forgiveness.
READ MORE from Deroy Murdock:
Majority of House Dems Fail to Salute Kirk, Slam Political Violence
This Kid Says the Darnedest Things
Deroy Murdock is a Manhattan-based Fox News Contributor.