By: Hayden Cunningham
Daily Wire host Michael Knowles took the stage at Amfest where he delivered a rousing speech on the importance of faith, morality, and family in the conservative movement.
Applauding the large turnout, Knowles declared that the conservative majority is rooted in core values, particularly the belief in God. He argued that this belief matters politically because recognizing humanity as made in the image of God provides “intellect and will,” which must be used responsibly.
Knowles emphasized that politics and culture are intertwined, making legislative morality essential. He criticized those who oppose legislating morality, pointing out that, “All laws legislate morality.” Laws, he argued, inherently define what is right and wrong, and good laws must be grounded in truth.
“We the people say what’s right and wrong. We don’t decide what’s right or wrong, we perceive what’s right or wrong using our reason, and then we enact laws based on our conclusions, using our will,” Knowles said.
Knowles argued that it is a rejection of truth that results in bad laws, citing issues such as transgender-identifying athletes, abortion, and laws that further blur the lines between men and women. He explained that “Good law helps us to be free because the truth makes us free. Bad law, law grounded in fantasy and vice, promises us freedom” that is false freedom.
Knowles also criticized leftist attacks on the family, tying issues like abortion, feminism, and even climate change to efforts to deter family-building. He emphasized the family’s importance as a cornerstone of society and a principle of conservatism.
“If you do not believe those basic facts about God, law, man, and politics, not only does conservativism not make any sense, America doesn’t make any sense. Really nothing makes much of any sense,” Knowles stated.
He urged conservatives to act on their beliefs, saying, “Ideas are worthless if you don’t put them into action.” Knowles criticized those who lament societal decline but refuse to build families and raise future generations of conservatives.
“If you are living a life disconnected from those ideas, you have wasted your time,” he said. “If you are not willing to actually try to do something about it, please do not get my hopes up that the country will improve.”
Ending on a hopeful note, Knowles said, “It does not take much to restore hope.” He explained that for Christians, hope is a fact, not just a feeling. He encouraged conservatives to seize the opportunity presented by recent electoral victories and stand firm in their convictions.
“We have been given an opportunity we do not deserve,” Knowles concluded, urging attendees to take action to shape the future of the nation.
Watch full speeches from all AmFest speakers on the Turning Point USA YouTube Channel.
