Free Inquiry: On Political Violence
How do people justify political violence?
By Brae Sadler
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September 28, 2025 was a crazy day at Grove City College. A fake swatting incident sent the entire campus into lockdown. Thankfully nothing happened, but political violence has been on the minds of a lot of students. This episode of Free Inquiry explores how people reach the point of committing political violence and how this process is playing out on the right.
The ideas we believe shape every aspect of our lives. Some beliefs lead us to happiness, while others lead us to misery. No individual has all the “right” ideas; instead, every person has a perspective —a little bit of truth —that the people around them don’t see. Which is why we need a marketplace of ideas where everyone can learn and come closer to the “right” ideas. How do people justify political violence? What rhetoric encourages violence and how can rhetoric be used to discourage it?
Free Inquiry, a new project of the Institute for Faith and Freedom, seeks to increase engagement in the marketplace of ideas here at Grove City College. Through the exchange of ideas, the best beliefs will rise to the top. Our ideas have consequences, so the best ones will benefit everyone. The mission of Free Inquiry is to bring out the best ideas. (LISTEN MORE: Free Inquiry: The Institute for Faith and Freedom’s Newest Podcast)
Listen to Free Inquiry’s debut episode HERE!
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About the Author
Brae Sadler is a junior at Grove City College and research fellow at the Institute for Faith and Freedom. He leads the Institute’s newest podcast, Free Inquiry.
LISTEN MORE: Free Inquiry: The Institute for Faith and Freedom’s Newest Podcast
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.
Cover Image: Photo by the Institute for Faith and Freedom
Captioned Image 1: Photo by the Institute for Faith and Freedom