Charlie Kirk’s assassination (“Kirk Aimed to Mold ‘Christian America,’ ” October) could be a turning point for America. His widow’s words of love and forgiveness at the memorial service were exactly what our North American public discourse needs. Erika Kirk must have Anabaptist aspects to her DNA. The danger, however, is that an alignment of our spiritual and political lives could end up in supercharged evangelical witch hunts reminiscent of the Jerry Falwell and Joe McCarthy eras. I hope people will focus on Erika Kirk’s words and keep them in their hearts.

Richard Penner, Saskatoon, Sask.

Charlie Kirk, may his soul rest in peace, was a political snake-oil salesman who latched on to Christian leaders for any help they could give him. He provided circus entertainment for some Christians (mostly White) who were nostalgic for a time when their “Moral Majority” tribalism claimed to preach a prophetic voice for ethical behavior by leaders. His views on African Americans, South Asians, Native Americans and followers of Islam did not follow the teaching of Jesus to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

David W. Lehman, Fort Collins, Colo.