Empathy is the ability to feel with someone – to understand their struggles and feelings that they are dealing with. Sympathy is feeling for someone – having pity or expressing sadness but not truly knowing how they feel. For example, sending “thoughts and prayers” in times of loss and tragedy is fine, and can be both sympathetic and empathetic. Empathy causes us to try to change the circumstances that bring about tragedy; sympathy does not see the systemic problems around loss and violence. The difference matters. Empathy leads to caring about others – sympathy leads to feeling sorry for them.
Let’s consider attitudes towards religion in America. Christian Nationalism believes that America is and always has been a Christian nation. Our laws are a reflection of that faith; Christians should, CN believes. be given preference over other religions. This is why we had Blue Laws that limited activities on Sunday, but not on Friday or Saturday. This is why the prayer of Jesus was taught and recited in public schools until 1962. While a proponent of this ideology might say they accept other religions, their approach is sympathetic; too bad if you can’t practice your religion the same way they can. Go elsewhere. Go back to where you came from.
An empathetic view puts oneself in the position of the other, which is what Jesus taught. Empathy acknowledges that all religions have the same rights in a democracy, and no religion (sounds like the Constitution, doesn’t it?) gets favored over others. Empathy believes that it isn’t fair to discriminate – empathy asks what it would be like to be discriminated against. Mainline Christians supported Christian Nationalism for 175 years, but those views have, mostly, changed. Other Christian denominations continue to support the idea that their religion should have dominance over others.
Lacking empathy can lead to all kinds of dangerous problems. It can allow for inequality – it can promote a sense of spiritual superiority and a lack of humility – it can ultimately lead to legislating for some people’s faith perspectives and against others. Lack of empathy can lead to abusive behavior and treating others as subhuman and inferior. Nations like Iran and political groups like Hamas do this to women, as do Christian Nationalists in America. Some nations do this to Christians and Jews. America is on its way to becoming just like them. Without empathy, we are nothing more than self-absorbed, arrogant, misguided children. With empathy, we have a chance to truly act with equality. We need more empathy for America to be better.
Prayer – Holy God, forgive us when we force ourselves on others. Show us once again the teachings of Jesus, so that we might be empathetic, just like He was. Amen.
Today’s art is “Empathy” by Cyndi Blue.