The Christian ‘Sin of Empathy’ Movement Fits the Trump Era

Key Arguments Against Empathy

The article centers on the argument by some Christian conservatives that empathy is a sin, used to manipulate and promote progressive agendas. Authors like Joe Rigney and Allie Beth Stuckey contend that "untethered empathy" clouds judgment and replaces true biblical compassion. This perspective is tied to a broader rejection of progressive social justice causes.

Political and Religious Context

The "sin of empathy" concept is linked to the Trump era and its embrace of cruelty. J.D. Vance, Trump's vice president, champions "ordo amoris," prioritizing love for family and country over global concerns. This contrasts with Pope Francis's broader view of Christian love.

Criticisms of Rigney and Stuckey's Arguments

The article critiques Rigney and Stuckey's works, highlighting their lack of scholarly rigor, reliance on selective interpretations of scripture, and promotion of misogynistic views. Rigney's association with Douglas Wilson and Christ Church, known for scandals involving sexual abuse, further weakens his arguments.

• Rigney's definition of "normal" marital challenges and his vague accusations of progressive-driven abuse within churches are criticized.
• Stuckey's dismissal of Casiano's case, where Texas' abortion laws led to the birth of a baby with anencephaly, is seen as heartless and dismissive of suffering.
• Stuckey's cherry-picking of data on police shootings to deny racial disparities is also highlighted as problematic.

The Broader Implications

The article concludes that this rejection of empathy serves authoritarianism by silencing dissent and enforcing conformity. The author connects this trend to historical examples of religious dogma overriding critical thinking, highlighting how the deliberate suppression of empathy serves to uphold a rigid social hierarchy.