Will Kirk’s Assassination Ignite a Christian Revolution in Britain?

The assassination in Utah of the Christian Conservative influencer, Charlie Kirk, has cast a chilling shadow over many in the United States, a feeling now beginning to be felt in the UK. Known for debating students on campuses nationwide while leading the Turning Point USA movement, Mr Kirk’s legacy is based on his willingness to ‘disagree agreeably’. Recently, horrific images of blood streaming from the jugular of the conservative influencer continue to haunt social media, symbolising what happens when tolerance for the opponent’s viewpoint in rhetorical debates is abandoned for violence. But while the purported aim of the murder was to censor and blacklist the Christian message from spreading, his killing may have a paradoxical effect in that many have since recognised his message from the positive publicity in the media following his death, including the notorious Christian memorial service and the subsequent awarding of a posthumous medal of presidential freedom.

Mr. Kirk’s faith in the scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and the belief that Christ died on the cross to save us from sin and rose again on the third day diverges from many other conservative voices on the right, who are hesitant to preach the gospel. He would agree with St. Paul that ‘if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins’. He was not a reactionary right-winger recycling old talking points from figures like Andrew Tate. Instead, his arguments were well-researched, and his understanding of various theological and philosophical issues was evident in his rhetorical debates with atheist left-wing opponents. Interestingly, his message was reaching young people and continues to do so, as many turn to Christianity to find meaning and recover moral virtues that help us conceptually distinguish between good and evil. Kirk’s influence is said to have drawn many college-aged students to Trump and Christianity. Baptisms and chrismations in the Eastern Orthodox Church in the USA increased by 62% between 2021 and 2023 compared to the previous three years, while Bible sales surged by 22% in 2024. However, while he did reach many in the UK, the hysterical and resentful response from Oxford and Cambridge students to his statement that life begins at conception highlights the absence of advocacy for Christian nationalism within academia. 

Over in the United States, Christianity remains deeply connected to nationalism, as seen in the MAGA movement’s dedication to Christian values. Britain’s rapid de-Christianisation, which began in the 1960s, set the nation on a new trajectory. Atheistic humanism, often justified by scientific progress, combined with the cultural, sexual, and moral permissiveness of the liberal era, led to significant legal reforms such as the legalisation of abortion in 1967 and the introduction of no-fault divorce in 1969. Like many social changes in the UK, these developments occurred gradually. In 2022, 251,377 abortions were carried out—the highest number since the 1967 act—while the divorce rate increased from 28% in 1963 to 44% in 1986. These policy shifts contributed to a decline in marriage rates since the 1970s. In fact, in 2019, the marriage rate was at its lowest since records began in 1862, recorded at 18.6 per 1,000 unmarried men and 17.2 per 1,000 unmarried women. 

Why does this matter? The introduction of divorce and abortion has contributed to the breakdown of lifelong marriages, with the latter also playing a role in declining birth rates and the fragmentation of the nuclear family structure. In 2023, the lowest number of births since 1977 was recorded. Conversely, in 1971, 8.8% of families consisted of a single parent; this figure is now around 15 to 16%. Ultimately, the decline of family and marriage has led to a fall in the fertility rate. Arguably, an attitude of agnosticism or atheism, where an afterlife is ridiculed, fosters a godless world in which societal pressures to marry, have children, and lead a morally upright life weaken.

The pressure from a young age to accept secular nihilism, combined with ongoing lessons on the Big Bang and evolution theory in schools, along with a culture of hedonism and economic rationalism, has led to a society that has become atomised, where pride in oneself overshadows the traditional Christian morals of marriage until death and turning the other cheek to the unholy neighbour. Assemblies are no longer gatherings where young voices sing beautiful hymns, recite scripture, or praise our Lord and Saviour. Instead, secular, cosmopolitan, liberal progressivism has infiltrated all our institutions as part of a long march since the 1960s, outlined by Gramsci’s theory on replacing capitalist social hegemony with culturally inspired Marxism. This has resulted in emptier churches, with 46% of Britons now having no religious affiliation, and 43% remaining Christian. For comparison, in 2001, 72% of people identified as Christian. But evidence of de-Christianisation does not stop there. A thousand parish churches are at risk of closure, many in a state of disrepair. It has not helped that Labour reduced tax relief for repairs to listed places of worship, which has hindered the restoration of, for example, St Mary Magdalene in Newark. 

Many argue that the decline of Christianity is linked to our complacency. Our culture was founded on Christian principles such as the presumption of innocence, forgiveness, and freedom of conscience, all of which originate from biblical stories. This neglect of Christian values has allowed elites to open borders to many migrants whose cultures and religions are increasingly reshaping Western Christian societies. Historian Tom Holland rightly notes that Islam faces difficulties integrating into a secular state due to the fundamentalist elements in the Qur’an that reject secularism, emphasise that Islam is the only true path, and demand unquestioning obedience to scripture and the Prophet; some interpret militant jihad as marginalising non-Muslims for not submitting to Islam. The challenge of integration will likely lead Islam, according to MP Danny Kruger, to fill the void left by Christianity as mass migration increases. Roger Scruton also rightly stated, ‘good things are easily destroyed but not easily created’. Perhaps we should remember that Christianity introduced the idea of secular spaces in society, allowing the free preaching of religion without persecution. 

But what has the decline of Christianity precipitated? Hedonistic tendencies of agnosticism and the lack of commitment to moral virtues have arguably contributed to mental health issues, as young people develop a sense of purposelessness and anxiety stemming from nihilism caused by a lack of understanding of their place in relation to others in life. While social liberalism bears some responsibility, economic atomistic individualism, materialism, and consumerism have led people to prioritise monetary gain over nurturing the next generation or strengthening family bonds. This has made communities less close-knit, as individuals become misled by rational selfishness, to paraphrase Ayn Rand, rather than focusing on what T.S. Eliot denotes as fostering community wellbeing and social cohesion, a vital aspect of Christian society. The soulless direction Britain is headed was perhaps best summed up when the former adviser to Mr Blair, in a Vanity Fair interview, stated, ‘we do not do God’ after he removed ‘God bless you’ from the Iraq war address.

The effect of this can be described as ontological insecurity. While young people in the West have never experienced better material conditions and lead comfortable lives, the absence of an objective truth to establish moral standards has caused an existential crisis of meaning. This has become apparent after the emasculation of men following the infiltration of radical feminism into the upper echelons of universities, which threatens the existence of private life and the nuclear family. These structures once created stability within the family, which thrived in a society of certainty. Consequently, this has led, in the words of R.R. Reno, to a gradual ‘return of the Strong Gods’, as anxious youth seek the transcendent in a desperate attempt to reclaim ontological security. Notably, three-quarters of non-Christians express a willingness to attend a church service, while Generation Z attends church more regularly, and Bible sales have increased in the UK. Church attendance in the UK has risen by 300% among 18–24-year-olds, while France recorded its highest annual baptisms in 2025. There appears to be a quiet revival of Christianity, and Kirk’s death seems to have given momentum to this rediscovery.

The Unite the Kingdom Rally featured many patriots carrying Christian crosses, singing ‘Christ is King’, and mourning Mr Kirk. Māori men performed haka alongside a Christian pastor and a clergyman from the Confessing Anglican Church, who led the prayers. The reasons behind this apparent revival in Christian identity can be linked to several causes, such as the aforementioned threat of Islam, identity crises, and a resurgence of conservatism, which naturally draws people back to God. While younger people have shown openness in reclaiming the Christian faith, it is worth noting that Pentecostalism and Roman Catholicism, with their more traditional practices, have attracted more interest than the Church of England. This is likely because the latter’s priorities are misplaced, focusing on political pontificating and progressive talking points that alienate those attending church seeking spiritual nourishment and scripture study, such as virtue signalling in Ukraine and interfaith services. 

Returning to Mr. Kirk, while he may not be the sole reason for Britain's slow return to Christianity, social media has led many young people to observe Kirk’s interactions on US campuses, with many subsequently seeking objective truth and converting to Christ. The shift in attitude and openness to Christianity is amplified on X, while Queen Elizabeth II reportedly was his secret admirer. Amidst a period when many of Generation Z have turned to Christianity, it should be noted that repression from the establishment towards those who proclaim to be Christian and proudly preach the Gospel in public spaces is becoming increasingly common. This can be explained by the increasing legal pressures against Christians, who are persecuted for praying outside abortion centres or preaching the gospel on the streets. Perhaps the government should remember that 365 million Christians face discrimination worldwide, which is one in seven. While the current situation in the UK is not as violent as in Nigeria, the multicultural agenda seems to have relegated Christianity in favour of protecting minority religions such as Islam. This is even though state ceremonies, coronations, and Parliament’s daily prayers, along with the rest of our history and institutions, are characterised by Christianity. 

Furthermore, Christianity arrived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE and eventually led to the formation of the Church of England in 1534, which influenced British identity, faith, and the constitution. Alfred the Great incorporated Christian moral teachings into English common law, while the King James Bible, published in 1611, played a significant role in shaping the English language. The moral dimension of Christianity is exemplified by C.S. Lewis, who said, ‘the Christians who did the most for the world were just those who thought most of the next.’ This point, however, diverges from the current state of British politics. For example, the legalisation of euthanasia and partial decriminalisation of abortion reflect the atheist character of our elite circles, while ordinary people turn back to God. The liberal intelligentsia, focused on adult convenience, dismisses the idea that God determines death. Their belief in human perfection is also evident, as shown by the confident yet naive assertion that the slippery slope will not happen in Britain. Meanwhile, the subtle inclusion of the abortion amendment in an entirely unrelated bill underscores the decline of the concept of human dignity and the sanctity of life.

Many on the left argue that Christianity should not merge with politics because it fosters division. However, this ahistorical argument overlooks the loyalty of the two main groups to their respective Christian denominations, Labour Methodists and Tory Anglicans. Furthermore, politics and religion are inherently linked. This is because one’s view of human nature, whether optimistic or pessimistic, relates to whether one sees man as corrupted by original sin or as a social animal capable of reformation.

In conclusion, it is plausible that Kirk’s assassination could rekindle interest in Christianity, as it has recently done through protests, vigils, online platforms, and in the United States. This event would occur at a time when many from Generation Z are turning to Christ. A period of political unrest calls for forgiveness, reconciliation, and mercy to heal divisions and restore unity through shared values. It demands the moral virtue that Erika Kirk demonstrated to Charlie’s assassin when she declared her forgiveness. It also reflects the tolerance evident in the Church of England, which welcomes individuals into membership regardless of personal belief. Even if a Christian revival with tangible influence remains distant, G.K. Chesterton’s words are still valid: ‘Christianity has died many times and risen again’.

Image: Flickr/johnlsl

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