The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not only shocking to the country, especially the way it was carried out and how it was captured on video, but also for revealing a highly disturbing trend among the young people of our nation. A poll was conducted by Emerson College which indicates that a total of 41 percent of people between the ages of 18 to 29 actually consider the horrendous crime to be somewhat or completely acceptable, going will past the 33 percent who said it is absolutely unacceptable.
Leftists brainwashing has taken its toll on our youth, turning them into would-be revolutionaries who have been taught to believe that using force and violence for the sake of political change — without a justifiable cause — is the right course of action when others refuse to accept your ideas. This generation has been indoctrinated to think leftists know what is best for everyone and if others won’t get on board, kill them. Or beat them into submission. It’s a terrifying thought.
The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” is a cornerstone of moral teaching, emphasizing the sanctity of human life. When a significant portion of the younger generation deems assassination an acceptable form of protest or retribution, it reflects a troubling erosion of this moral compass. This shift has consequences that reach far beyond the current moment, shaping the trajectory of the next generation—a generation that risks becoming desensitized to violence as a legitimate form of action. Several factors may contribute to this shift in perspective. Widespread frustration with systemic issues, such as corporate greed and failures within the healthcare system, can lead to feelings of helplessness and disenfranchisement. In the case of Luigi Mangione, the accused assassin, reports suggest he harbored deep resentment towards the health insurance industry, possibly stemming from personal grievances.
When individuals witness injustice—be it denied healthcare or financial hardship—it can create an environment where extreme actions appear justified. The emotional weight of such grievances is understandable, but the danger lies in mistaking vengeance for justice. However, accepting violence as a solution opens the door to a dangerous cultural shift. When the moral line against murder becomes blurred, society begins to lose its foundation for justice and peace. Today, it may be a CEO whose life is deemed expendable due to their corporate position; tomorrow, it could be any figure of perceived authority.
When an entire generation of individuals believes that violence is the correct means to address grievances, this is far beyond legitimizing extreme violent rhetoric and goes on to normalize actionable violence against those you deem to be your adversaries.
The fact young Americans are embracing this kind of thinking proves that we have a massive cultural breakdown that’s happening in our society. Much of this is the result of posting outrage, real or imagined, on social media, where it then gets rewarded with tons of views and affirming comments from others who tend to see the world the same way. It’s an echo chamber where people of the same beliefs validate each other over and over while preventing themselves from being exposed to ideas that might challenge what they think.
The assassination of Brian Thompson has already been met with celebratory comments from influential figures and everyday users alike. While it may seem like a fringe reaction, the Emerson poll shows it is anything but isolated. The moral implications cannot be overstated. The Christian worldview teaches that every life is sacred, regardless of perceived wrongs or grievances. Jesus taught us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), offering an alternative to retaliation and violence. When a culture drifts away from such principles, it loses its capacity for empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation—values essential to a just and compassionate society.
But what happens to a generation that grows up believing violence can achieve justice? History offers sobering answers. Movements built on violence often spiral into cycles of destruction, where the end result is suffering for all involved. Without a moral compass, the next generation risks becoming participants in a fractured society where dialogue is replaced by force and reason by rage.
One of the biggest threats this poses to our society is the death of peaceful advocacy. Imagine a country and culture where all advocacy is done with acts of violence and destruction. It’s chaos. Anarchy. It’s the complete collapse of a civilized society. We need to address this issue now before it escalates to that point.
One of the best solutions is the Christian Church. The gospel has the power to transform people’s lives and young folk have never, ever needed the love of Christ more than they do right now. Part of living a Christian life is the application of the gospel to every area of life. We are most definitely to fight for justice. But not justice without compassion and respect for life and love of neighbor.
“Systemic issues, too, cannot be ignored. Frustration with institutions such as healthcare providers or corporations often stems from legitimate grievances. Addressing these concerns with transparency, reform, and empathy can reduce the feelings of powerlessness that lead to dangerous thinking. Yet, the path forward cannot involve excusing or normalizing violence. The acceptance of assassination as a solution to societal wrongs is a moral failure that must be confronted head-on,” the article went on to say.
The Emerson poll should serve as a wake-up call. If the next generation loses its moral compass, the consequences will reverberate for decades to come. We must ask ourselves: what kind of society are we shaping? One that values human life, forgiveness, and justice? Or one that tolerates a descent into violence and chaos? For Christians, the answer is clear. Our faith compels us to stand against such dangerous trends and call our society back to the values of compassion, peace, and the sanctity of life.
“The future of our culture—and the hearts of the next generation—depend on our willingness to address this moral drift. We cannot remain silent. Instead, we must rise to the occasion, offering hope, guidance, and a renewed commitment to the principles that uphold the dignity of every human being,” the report concluded.
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