The Sin of Empathy?

So much for the Golden Rule…

By Doug Smith

August 1, 2026

Empathy – seeing and fighting against injustice, even if you are not the one who is affected.  Why are so many unjust actions going unchallenged right now in America? 

·         Immigrants are being pushed out violently. 

·         LGBTQ+ citizens have lost their rights. 

·         Black citizens are losing electoral representation. 

·         Hungry people have lost SNAP benefits and Medicaid coverage.

Why do these injustices continue to happen?  Because these things aren’t happening to us… middle-class white Christian Americans.  We don’t feel these injustices deeply enough to push back immediately and effectively. For a potent illustration of what it means to stand up against injustice, please watch this video.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RyAsI0LmQxc

Of all people, a call for empathy should be answered by Christians.  But strangely, empathy has become demonized by many politically active white evangelical Christians.  In fact, there’s a popular book out now called “The Sin of Empathy” by Joe Rigney, a theologian based in Moscow, Idaho.  He taps into the prejudices religious people have formed against certain groups, such as gay and trans people, and says we don’t have to believe or accept them.  It’s all about ME, and how I interpret the Bible, and what I think is right.  This is so contrary to the Bible that I shouldn’t even have to say it.  But there are plenty of evangelicals who’ve read the book and many “leaders” who have endorsed it.  So much for the Golden Rule… 

Injustice will continue until we decide to stop it.  It’s always been within our power; we just haven’t wanted to badly enough.  The white evangelical church in particular has lost its empathy for those affected by injustice.  I think the most damaging aspect of the Christian nationalism that has infected the church in recent years it how it taps into our inherent selfishness.  We can’t make an appeal to the conscience of Christians any more… because it wouldn’t do any good.  They no longer have a conscience.  Christian Nationalists only want to focus on “me, myself and I” and the rest of the world be damned. 

If you like today’s essay, please consider sharing it.

Also, please consider subscribing to my page on Substack… it’s free! You can read all of the essays I’ve written at: https://substack.com/@dougsmith801323 .