LU hosts conservative event — students get face time with Turning Point USA

 Conservatives and liberals alike came out to the LaHaye Event Space Nov. 12 for Turning Point USA’s final stop on their Campus Clash tour — a night of open dialogue with some leading voices in the conservative movement including Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens. 

Turning Point USA’s Director of High School Outreach, Kyle Kashuv, also moderated the event and brought a unique angle to the conversation. Kashuv survived the Parkland High School shooting in February and now serves as a leader for young conservatives. 

Kirk, Owens and Kashuv did not back down from heated discussion and audience questions. Kirk spoke candidly towards where Christians cast their votes, highlighting the moral divide between the parties. 

“I don’t understand how a Bible-believing Christian could ever vote for a Democrat in today’s America,” Kirk said. “I don’t understand how anyone can support the public funding of Planned Parenthood and be a Christian … The teachings of the Bible are directly at odds with the modern Democratic Party.” 

Vice-president of Liberty University’s chapter of Turning Point USA Caroline Julian said events like Campus Clash create dialogue for conservative college students to defend their stance in the real world.

“You’re not alone in the movement,” Julian said. “While you’re in college, stand firm on what you believe and let that charge your battery for when you go out in the real world and are faced with real opposition.” 

President of Liberty’s Turning Point USA chapter, Bernanke Barnes, said it is important to host events like this for open-mindedness in political thought. 

“A lot of students are apathetic and ignorant as to what is going on in the political world,” Barnes said. “It is important to host events like this, to be open-minded and see another aspect of political thought.”

For more information on Turning Point USA and how to contribute to the discussion, visit its website or Instagram account — @turningpointusa.