Podcast Summary: "The Charlie Kirk Show" – Episode: "Are You Grateful to Be Alive?": More from ASU ft. George Janko

Host: Charlie Kirk
Guest: George Janko
Release Date: December 11, 2024
Location: Arizona State University

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk engages with George Janko and a series of audience members at Arizona State University (ASU) to delve deep into one of the most contentious and emotionally charged topics of our time: abortion. The discussion navigates the complex moral, ethical, and philosophical dimensions surrounding the sanctity of life, individual rights, and the role of religion in shaping societal values.

1. The Moral and Ethical Dimensions of Abortion

A. Defining Moral Worth and Life

The episode opens with an audience member posing a hypothetical scenario: if someone were to suffer from a curable disease while being a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen with health insurance, should they have the right to be cured? Charlie Kirk affirms, “Yes. But will the disease go away in nine months?” (01:45). This metaphor sets the stage for the ensuing debate on abortion.

B. Abortion as Moral and Ethical Murder

The conversation intensifies when the audience member relates the issue to rape-induced pregnancies. Charlie emphasizes the intrinsic value of human life by stating, “Human beings conceived in rape actually are equal. Human beings of people. […] it is not morally correct to murder a human being, regardless of the circumstance of how that baby was put into this world” (02:40).

C. The Rights Debate: Mother vs. Father

George Janko interjects, shifting the focus to the rights of the father: “If the woman was completely healthy, do you feel like she has the right, if she could healthily give the baby, do you think that she has the right to kill that baby as well?” (10:50). Charlie responds by challenging the notion of bodily autonomy, asserting that the baby is a separate entity: “The baby is actually not her body. It’s attached to her body through an umbilical cord” (12:40).

D. Abortion and Eugenics

The debate takes a chilling turn as Charlie warns against a slippery slope, equating the dehumanization inherent in abortion to the atrocities of Nazi Germany: “Saying it's a woman's choice is the same moral paradigm of how we got to Nazi Germany. It's the same thing. It's dehumanizing language” (16:00).

Key Quotes:

• Charlie Kirk: “We will not embrace the ideas that have destroyed countries, destroyed lives. And we are going to fight for freedom on campuses across the country.” (00:41)
• George Janko: “The most beautiful thing a woman goes through is childbirth. If you asked my mom what was the best day of her life is giving birth, that is your perspective. That is not a true perspective.” (13:38)
• Charlie Kirk: “Life is beautiful and life is worthy of protection.” (16:38)

2. Philosophical Foundations of Morality

A. Rationality vs. The Soul

The discussion shifts to the nature of humanity and consciousness. An audience member questions the distinction between humans and animals, to which Charlie responds, “We are the speaking beings” (16:42). This leads to a deeper exploration of consciousness and the soul, especially in cases of brain death: “There's something else that is being... that is able to communicate with the outside world beyond reason. Does that make sense?” (07:57).

B. The Role of Actions in Defining Humanity

The audience member argues that moral worth begins with action and experience, questioning whether actions like a fetus kicking or a newborn crying constitute personhood. Charlie counters by highlighting that actions in the womb, such as a fetus responding to stimuli, demonstrate moral worth: “When my daughter was in my wife's womb, around 25 weeks, would recognize my voice and push up against her stomach. Is that an action? Sure, absolutely.” (08:59)

3. The Interplay of Religion and Secular Morality

A. Necessity of Religion for Moral Society

A significant portion of the debate revolves around whether a society can maintain moral virtues without religious foundations. A libertarian audience member challenges Charlie, stating, “A lot of people are up here talking about where they're voting and the polling of religion... Is it plausible to be kind, peace filled, happy and everything without religion in my life?” (23:35).

Charlie argues that Western values, often perceived as secular, are inherently rooted in Christian ideals. He cites Tom Holland’s Dominion to support the claim that many moral standards are derived from Christianity: “All of the things you consider to be common sense is an inheritance from Christianity.” (26:45).

B. Counterarguments and Cultural Practices

The libertarian participant counters by highlighting moral practices in non-Christian cultures, such as child abandonment in African countries, explaining it as cultural norms rather than religious dictates. However, Charlie maintains that without a transcendent moral order, societies lack objective morality: “My belief is that you cannot have a free and civil society without a culture that is either inherited or believes in the eternal being or a transcendent moral order.” (26:10).

Key Quotes:

• Libertarian Speaker: “I have an issue with any of the religions being correct. Is it plausible to be kind, peace filled, happy and everything without religion in my life?” (23:35)
• Charlie Kirk: “Look up to the question is, what is that? And we believe and we know. Our argument is that that has been passed down through generations. That originated as Christian ideals.” (26:16)

4. Addressing Broader Social Issues

A. Birth Control vs. Abortion

The conversation touches on the effectiveness and focus of societal discussions on birth control as opposed to abortion. The libertarian audience member posits, “Why are men running around impregnating women with reckless abandon? Why aren't we talking about that instead of abortion?” (27:03). Charlie acknowledges the issue but points out the failure of contraception outreach by asking, “We have abundant contraceptive use and yet we have more abortions than ever.” (27:37).

B. Gender and Identity

Further, the debate veers into the contentious realm of gender identity. The audience member questions the definition of a woman, leading Charlie to challenge the subjective nature of gender identity: “How can one independently know they're looking at a woman? By what definition?” (16:55). The libertarian speaker defends gender fluidity, but Charlie draws parallels to cultural and moral standards, emphasizing objective definitions: “At some point there will be a governing moral philosophy. There is no neutrality in morality.” (33:11).

5. Personal Appeals and Redemptive Messages

Throughout the episode, George Janko interjects with heartfelt appeals, urging compassion and understanding towards those struggling with their views on abortion. He emphasizes the importance of offering love and peace: “The first step right now is to give you love and peace and then you'll be able to understand where we're coming from.” (19:11).

An emotional plea follows from another audience member who identifies as an atheist, sharing personal struggles and seeking understanding: “I care very deeply about women's rights and LGBTQ rights, which I believe. I just hope and pray that those of us listening to this message today go to like, go to his podcast.” (21:20).

6. Conclusion and Final Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Charlie Kirk reiterates the importance of objective morality and the protection of all human life, regardless of circumstances: “When it comes to murder, when it comes to theft, when it comes there is no neutral space.” (33:03). He calls for unity and moral clarity in the face of divisive issues, urging listeners to uphold the sanctity of life as a fundamental value.

Final Thoughts: The episode presents a robust defense of the pro-life stance, intertwining ethical reasoning with philosophical and theological arguments. Charlie Kirk and George Janko navigate challenging questions with a steadfast commitment to their principles, advocating for the protection of all human life and the foundational role of religion in shaping moral society.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Charlie Kirk:

  • “[00:27] Charlie Kirk's running the White House.”
  • “[02:40] Human beings conceived in rape actually are equal. Human beings of people. […] it is not morally correct to murder a human being, regardless of the circumstance of how that baby was put into this world.”
  • “[07:57] There's something else that is being... that is able to communicate with the outside world beyond reason.”
  • “[16:00] Saying it's a woman's choice is the same moral paradigm of how we got to Nazi Germany. It's the same thing. It's dehumanizing language.”
  • “[26:45] All of the things you consider to be common sense is an inheritance from Christianity.”
  • “[33:03] When it comes to murder, when it comes to theft, when it comes there is no neutral space.”

• George Janko:

  • “[00:31] Charlie is an incredible guy. His spirit, his love of this country.”
  • “[13:38] The most beautiful thing a woman goes through is childbirth.”
  • “[19:11] And I believe you when you said that you don't have any peace in your heart right now.”

• Audience Members:

  • “[01:18] Hello, Charlie. Yeah, I'm very looking forward to being here.”
  • “[23:35] I have an issue with any of the religions being correct.”
  • “[21:20] Somebody's willing to take his life and put their life into Jesus Christ.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show serves as a fervent exploration of the moral imperatives surrounding the issue of abortion, underpinned by philosophical and religious convictions. Through rigorous debate and personal testimonies, Charlie Kirk and George Janko advocate for the protection of all human life, challenging listeners to reconsider the ethical foundations of their beliefs and societal norms.