"Not sure what I am" - Charles Barkley once opened up about his relationship with Christianity in the aftermath of Charleston church shooting
NBA legend Charles Barkley once shared that he has a complicated relationship with Christianity when he tried to make sense of the gruesome shooting that took place inside a church in Charleston, South Carolina, nine years ago.
The one-time league MVP was moved to reflect on the workings of life when he heard of what happened during a Bible study inside the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015, where nine people were killed. He, in particular, weighed on how God would allow others like him to have a good life while horrible things happen to others.
Charles Barkley told WBRC News in an interview in 2015, weeks after the Charleston shooting:
"I'm not [Christian], but I also am not sure what I am. I am very confused about that right now. How can God give me this great life but then allow someone to walk into His house and kill nine people?"
The Charleston shooting was ruled an anti-black mass shooting and a hate crime. It was the deadliest mass shooting in South Carolina's history. The assailant, Dylann Roof, then 21, was described a white supremacist and was convicted of 33 federal hate crime and murder charges. He was sentenced to death for the crimes he committed in January 2017.
Charles Barkley says he is not one to shy from speaking his mind but chooses his battles
From his legendary playing days all the way to his life now in sports media, Charles Barkley has been known for speaking his mind. He, however, chooses his battles, making his thoughts known on things he believes matter.
He shared this in a sit-down interview with Graham Besinger in 2021, highlighting how he makes it a point to be honest and fair with his takes, which people appreciate about him, Charles Barkley said:
"I pick my battles very carefully. Everything is not worth arguing over. But when something serious comes out, I'm not afraid. And I do think I have a little leeway because I have basketball money. I a lot of other people cannot be honest and straightforward on television becaue this is their job..."
"People want the truth ... the one thing that people say to me and it really means a great dealt to me, they say "I may not agree with you, at least I think you're going to be honest and you're gonna be fair.'"
Following his NBA playing career, Charles Barkley has transitioned successfully to a life on television as one of the hosts of the long-running sports show Inside the NBA. He has also been present in a lot of others shows and platforms where he has shared his thoughts not only on basketball but on a range of other matters as well.