discuss Is empathy a sin?

[Jason]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opin...1&cvid=f0e0b7e11dd64c5f94f77c8864947480&ei=17

The Bible contains repeated invocations from Jesus to show deep empathy and compassion for others, including complete strangers. He’s very clear on this point. Moreover, Christianity is built around a fundamental act of empathy so radical — Jesus dying for our sins — that it’s difficult to spin as harmful.



Yet as stunning as it may sound, “empathy is a sin” is a claim that’s been growing in recent years across the Christian right. It was first articulated six years ago by controversial pastor and theologian Joe Rigney, now author of the recently published book, The Sin of Empathy, which has drawn plenty of debate among religious commentators.

In this construction, empathy is a cudgel that progressives and liberals use to berate and/or guilt-trip Christians into showing empathy to the “wrong” people.

Christian nationalists in the US are cynical about empathy. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

 

[Harsh World]

I don't believe it's a sin, but I also don't believe one should remain empathetic towards another indefinitely.

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."

At some point, people need to be responsible for themselves, unless they truly can't be. And in the latter instance, I'm not against institutionionalization — if we can reopen them — as that's more empathetic than letting them essentially self-harm.

In this construction, empathy is a cudgel that progressives and liberals use to berate and/or guilt-trip Christians into showing empathy to the “wrong” people.

I don't buy into their counter arguments using faith against Christians as they don't believe it themselves.

A lot more are waking up to this reality of this inconsistency and special pleading to disengage with these bad actors in debate.

A good example of this in this context would be something like "you should have empathy for the stoner because that's what Jesus would do", but if you ask them them their position on abortion, it goes to the science. Pick a lane.

 

[Jason]

I don't believe it's a sin, but I also don't believe one should remain empathetic towards another indefinitely.

At some point, people need to be responsible for themselves, unless they truly can't be. And in the latter instance, I'm not against institutionionalization — if we can reopen them — as that's more empathetic than letting them essentially self-harm.

I don't buy into their counter arguments using faith against Christians as they don't believe it themselves.

A lot more are waking up to this reality of this inconsistency and special pleading to disengage with these bad actors in debate.

A good example of this in this context would be something like "you should have empathy for the stoner because that's what Jesus would do", but if you ask them them their position on abortion, it goes to the science. Pick a lane.

I agree with what you're saying, but often there aren't enough job opportunities, but I suppose people can migrate.

 

[Reelz]

This is strange! I don't see empathy as a sin in whatever way. Empathy is considered to be a positive trait that one could have because it helps us to understand and share feelings of others. So, how is it a sin?

 

[Maina]

Empathy is definitely not a sin. It’s a human strength that helps us understand and connect with others’ feelings. Showing empathy fosters compassion and kindness, which are generally seen as positive qualities in any society or belief system.

 

[Yama]

Empathy is a moral virtue.
Let's say Jesus wasn't son of God (or God himself), what would his death do to the humanity? Would it change anything in the society when one human dies for other humans?

 

[Jason]

I would say there is a balance between feeling empathy and enabling unhealthy dependence. That's what Jesus taught in the Bible.

 

[ActionAce]

I'm a Christian and in the Christian dome empathy is not a sin but it is seen as a virtue and it's a significant part of Christians faith because the holy bible also teaches empathy

 

[Apsara]

I think it’s a complex topic, some Christian nationalists may prioritize their political or cultural goals over broader empathy, leading to cynicism. But many Christians deeply value compassion and empathy as core teachings. I believe empathy shouldn’t be politicized but embraced universally to build understanding.