A significant source of America’s divisiveness is its politicization of the apolitical. In that environment, no good deed goes unquestioned. Campaigns critical of condemnation aren’t exempt. Pushback for seeking peace is inevitable. Despite Drop The Stone’s emphasis on Christians exercising grace and mercy in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, the mere mention of his name, Christianity and Jesus stir politicized controversy. As we launch the Drop The Stone Challenge, let’s respond to the most common questions or concerns we’ve heard to date:
1. Why was Drop The Stone developed and what’s its underlying purpose?
Drop The Stone was conceived during the 2016 Presidential election season in response to my frustration watching Christians throw stones at those who disagreed with their perception of biblical values. From its inception, that was the campaign’s simple and sole mission. We encouraged them to stop lashing out on social media at those who supported an “opposing” politician, party, or policy.
Instead, we recommended an alternative, Christ-centered path – sitting down with those with whom they disagree, having a civil discourse, building a relationship, and doing acts of kindness for those across the political aisle. Jesus wouldn’t condone hiding behind a computer or phone screen spewing vitriol at people they’ve never met. He loved and cared for those with different worldviews.
2. Isn’t Drop The Stone throwing stones at Christians (for throwing stones)?
Drop The Stone’s primary audience are Christians who, statistically speaking, are generally conservative politically. By encouraging them to lower the temperature of their online rhetoric and conduct themselves more like Jesus, the campaign implicitly levels accusations at conservative Christians. In the story of the adulteress brought before Jesus in John 8 and in other instances, Jesus too was accusatory. Not only did he denounce the Pharisees for their self-righteousness, but also told the woman to, “Go and sin no more”. Why would Jesus tell the Pharisees to drop their stones yet apparently throw one of His own at her?
Yet we know Jesus was without sin and the embodiment of unconditional love. Our morally relativistic society would beg to differ, believing the only “sin” is accusing someone else of sin. Jesus not only condones but commands His followers to encourage our “brothers and sisters” in the faith not to sin. Where He differs is in the certainty that He’s never hypocritical, whereas we often talk about specks in other’s eyes with planks in our own. Drop The Stone uses the John 8 story to stress the importance of Agape love toward everyone but doesn’t ask Christians to dilute or compromise biblical truth. Scripture instructs us not judge non-believers, but to correct believers straying from God through sin.
3. How is the “Christian” way of handling conflicts better than the world’s?
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin and foremost advocate. When John was assassinated, Jesus did the unthinkable. He went off with His disciples to pray and mourn, but when followed by a crowd of people, Jesus postponed that retreat, healed and fed the crowd, and shared the Gospel. In the midst of His own pain, Jesus refocused on the needs of others. The world reacts to murder of a loved one quite differently – seeking retribution, justice, or condemnation. Erika Kirk counterculturally forgave the man who shot her husband, emulating Jesus and defying convention. Charlie Kirk also engaged with those willing to speak with him no matter where they stood on faith or politics. He and Erika chose the road less traveled, the one taken by Jesus on the cross, forgiving and engaging with his murderers. Drop The Stone applauds conflict resolution rooted in their biblical example, particularly during such a divisive, violent period in the history of our nation.
4. Why did your last blog post about Drop The Stone mention progressivism? Isn’t that a political statement?
“Progressive”, as we define it, is not a political movement. It’s an ideology whose ultimate end is the removal of Jesus and His teachings (unless selectively borrowed without attribution to Him) from every facet of public life. In other words, the term “progressive” relates to beliefs about the validity and continuation of Christian influence in our nation. It doesn’t necessarily indicate a political party association. It’s more about Jesus than issues or politics. “Progressives” don’t typically throw stones at anyone who rejects “traditional, Christian” values. I know many Christians who hold “non-traditional” views on gender, marriage, or abortion. There are also non-Christian “progressives” who have conservative perspectives on those issues but want America to “progress” beyond any (supposed or actual) biblical heritage.
In our prior blog post kicking off the Drop The Stone Challenge, we referenced “progressivism” to contrast how non-Christians and Jesus typically handle disagreements with those across the political aisle – not to advocate for a political party or politician. We cannot by law as a non-profit use our charity’s platform politically. Doing so would also defeat the point of Drop The Stone since its intent is to break down political barriers. Our campaign is addressed to anyone representing themselves as Christians, whether Democrats or Republicans, who throw stones at non-believers. My readers, mostly church leaders and members, may mostly identify as conservative but we don’t target anyone based on political preference or affiliation.
5. Doesn’t using a video of Charlie Kirk limit Drop The Stone’s reach and audience?
Some strategic advisors have suggested that we not mention Charlie Kirk or include a video from him in Drop The Stone, ostensibly to be more inclusive. Each of them expressed significant animosity toward Charlie Kirk with personal interests fueling those feelings. The emotions involved in those (online or offline) discussions provided real-time opportunities to practice what Drop The Stone preaches. Drop The Stone is predominantly directed at those who tend to admire Charlie Kirk and his assassination is a lightning rod, likely to incite and embolden more animosity toward non-believers. We shouldn’t miss the chance to act when Drop The Stone is at our disposal, designed for “such a (divisive) time as this”.
That being said, as non-profits we can’t afford to reach all Christians across America. We need to target our marketing. The vast majority of Christians are conservative, so we’ll reach the largest audience (in our target group, those throwing stones) by featuring a person they revered, whose death threatens to stir up more division. The ideal voice is Charlie Kirk’s own – essentially speaking “from the grave” telling his fans not to retaliate against those who opposed, or eventually killed, him.
6. Is there no place in Drop The Stone for those who didn’t like Charlie Kirk or aren’t Christians?
The lessons of John 8 apply to every human being. Each of us can place ourselves into one of the roles in the story – accuser or accused, forgiver or forgiven. In fact, anyone claiming never to have occupied all those roles is either lying or deluded. Although Drop The Stone’s mission is to stop Christians from pointing fingers, those who accept our Challenge will carry that message of God’s grace to the world through their words and actions. The only question is whether we’ll follow the example set by Jesus and Charlie Kirk of speaking openly with (perceived) religious or political opponents.
7. Is there a better, biblical approach to bridging divides that doesn’t fit the narrative or methods of our current political parties?
The goal of Drop The Stone isn’t political reform but personal transformation. The new movement our culture needs isn’t symbolized by an elephant or donkey, but a table. Jesus sat, spoke, and ate with those “decent” society considered outcasts – the greatest with the “least”. The practice of radical hospitality bridges divides. It’s easy to dislike those we don’t know. Walls come down when we B.L.E.S.S. one another – Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve with love, and Share your story.
It’s Your Turn…
In this divisive time, will you accept the Drop The Stone Challenge? Jesus didn’t condemn the woman the Pharisees wanted to execute – instead He invited any accuser without sin to throw the first stone. Read the John 8 story or watch the video where Charlie Kirk tells Jesus’ story from John 8, share the post with 4 friends, and tell them you’ve decided to #DropMyStone. Challenge them to share it with 4 other friends if they liked the story – and if they didn’t, ask them why. The only question is whether you’re willing to seek out those across the political or religious aisle and have a #CivilDiscourse?
