VT. “Billionaire Elon Musk Shocks Followers by Backing Erika Kirk’s Call for Americans to ‘Go to Church’ — Record Attendance Raises Question: Is a New Era of Faith Rising in America?”

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, one of the world’s most influential business leaders, has surprised many by encouraging his tens of millions of followers to attend church. Musk, who once quipped that he was “OK with going to Hell,” has now publicly echoed a call from Erika Kirk, widow of slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, to return to worship services.

The shift underscores a growing trend in American society: a revival of interest in Christianity following Kirk’s assassination earlier this month, an event that has shaken both the political and cultural landscape.

Musk’s Evolution on Faith

Musk has long maintained a complex relationship with religion. Born and baptized as an Anglican in South Africa, he has often described himself as spiritual but not devout. Over the years, his comments about God, faith, and the afterlife have oscillated between skepticism and respect.

In a 2022 exchange on social media, Musk startled many by responding to a user who urged him to acknowledge a Creator. His reply: “Thank you for the blessing, but I’m ok with going to hell, if that is indeed my destination, since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there.”

Yet Musk’s tone softened in later years. In a 2024 interview with Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, he declared himself a “cultural Christian,” borrowing a term popularized by atheist-turned-sympathizer Richard Dawkins. Musk explained: “While I’m not a particularly religious person, I do believe that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise and that there’s tremendous wisdom in turning the other cheek.” He further praised Christianity as a system of moral principles that have shaped Western civilization.

Even earlier, in a 2021 appearance on The Babylon Bee, Musk stopped short of confessing Christ as his “Lord and Savior” but endorsed many of Jesus’ values, such as forgiveness and the Golden Rule: “Treating people as you wish to be treated is a principle I strongly support.”

Now, in 2025, Musk’s public encouragement to “Go to church” marks his most direct embrace yet of Christian practice, even if not doctrinal faith.

The Erika Kirk Influence

Musk’s post on Sunday directly quoted Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point Faith and widow of Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10. Erika Kirk has become a central voice in the aftermath of her husband’s death, urging Americans to honor his legacy not through anger or unrest but through revival and faith.

At Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on September 21, Erika Kirk told mourners:

“We didn’t see violence, we didn’t see rioting, we didn’t see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed we would see in this country: we saw revival.”

She described a wave of spiritual awakening in communities across the nation: “This past week, we saw people open a Bible for the first time in a decade. We saw people pray for the first time since they were children. We saw people go to a church service for the first time in their entire lives.”

Musk’s amplification of her call added global reach to the message, spreading it far beyond American evangelical circles and into mainstream discourse.

A Revival in the Wake of Tragedy

Reports from churches around the United States suggest that Erika Kirk’s words reflect a broader reality. JP De Gance, president of the outreach ministry Communio, told The Christian Post that pastors have observed tangible increases in attendance since Kirk’s assassination.

“There’s a lot of anecdotal feedback from churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Colorado reporting that they’ve seen an increase [in attendance] over the last two Sundays,” De Gance said. One Michigan church, he noted, welcomed back several young adults who had not been seen in years.

De Gance attributed the shift to a wave of introspection triggered by Kirk’s death. “People are asking themselves, ‘What am I living for right now?’ The testimony of Charlie Kirk’s faith has forced people to look inward in a way they hadn’t before.”

Cultural and Political Dimensions

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has not only left a void in conservative political activism but has also served as a cultural flashpoint. For many of his supporters, Kirk’s death highlighted the fragility of life and the importance of eternal questions.

Observers have noted that the revival movement bears resemblance to the religious awakenings that have historically followed periods of national crisis. Unlike the protests and riots that sometimes erupt after political violence, the aftermath of Kirk’s death has been characterized by prayer vigils, worship gatherings, and renewed emphasis on faith in public life.

Musk’s involvement adds a unique dimension. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the owner of X (formerly Twitter), he commands vast influence over global discourse. His endorsement of churchgoing, even from a “cultural Christian” perspective, introduces faith-centered messages into digital spaces often dominated by secular or progressive narratives.

Critics and Skeptics

Not everyone is convinced that Musk’s comments signal a genuine embrace of Christianity. Skeptics point to his long history of irreverent remarks about religion, warning against conflating cultural admiration with personal conversion. Some Christians expressed caution, noting that while Musk’s words may inspire curiosity, the core of Christianity requires more than moral respect—it demands a personal relationship with Christ.

Others, however, see his remarks as a net positive. By echoing Erika Kirk’s call, Musk may be helping normalize churchgoing for millions who might otherwise dismiss it. “If Elon Musk can tell people to go to church,” one pastor commented, “then maybe young people who admire him will take that step too.”

Looking Ahead

As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, signs of revival—whether temporary or enduring—are emerging. Churches report renewed attendance, Bible sales have ticked upward in some regions, and social media platforms have been filled with testimonies of people returning to faith practices.

Whether Musk’s encouragement represents a personal shift or simply solidarity with a grieving widow, his message has already had an impact. The world’s richest man urging his followers to “Go to church” reflects the way tragedy can reshape public discourse, bringing eternal questions to the forefront in a time of national mourning.