Kindness is good, and empathy can be good too. But
empathy that affirms sin or lies is always misguided. How can we tell when
empathy has become toxic? Here are a few red flags that we’ll see repeatedly in
these pages:
1.
THE USE OF EUPHEMISMS: Euphemisms obscure
the truth to make a position seem more palatable. Think “reproductive rights”
for killing an unborn child, or “gender-affirming care” for bodily mutilation.
In every conversation, advertisement, article, or podcast, you must carefully
look out for the use of euphemisms. Ask yourself, “What does she mean by that?”
and try to identify the reality her language choice is hiding.
2.
CONTRADICTIONS TO GOD’S WORD: Sometimes
these contradictions are obvious (e.g., “Jesus isn’t the only way to heaven”),
but most of the time, they’re not. Just like the Devil tricking Eve or tempting
Jesus, unbiblical statements are often paired with something true. Think
“Christians are called to love the foreigner” to justify chaotic border laws,
or “The early church shared everything they had” to justify socialism. Just
because something sounds good doesn’t mean it is. It’s crucial we know our
Bible and train ourselves to think critically about the things we read and
hear—especially when they’re viral or catchy.
3.
EXCLUSIVELY POLITICAL ENDS: When calling
for empathy, inclusivity, and love, are they talking about how we treat these
people as individuals, or are they actually speaking of achieving certain
political ends? For example, “love is love” isn’t really a call for us to love
gay people by recognizing their innate worth as human beings and treat them
with kindness; it’s a call to legally redefine marriage and family…… These are
examples of the exploitation of empathy to achieve political power, not peace.
4.
CHRISTIAN-SOUNDING WORDS WITH UNCHRISTIAN
MEANINGS: The concepts of equality, equity, liberation, oppression,
inclusion, and social justice can all be, in some way, found in the Bible, but
the Bible defines them differently than progressive activists do. Biblical
equity, for example, means fair, impartial judgment (Ps. 99:4). Progressive
equity means equal outcomes…… equal outcomes are impossible outside of extreme,
oppressive government intervention, and nowhere does the Bible indicate that
justice means everyone having equal resources.
5.
EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE: Manipulative rhetoric
lacks substantive, logical arguments and replaces them with demands that you
feel a certain way. If you’re really loving, caring, understanding, empathetic,
etc., you will buy into a particular position. Often, your rational points will
be rebuffed with accusations of callousness instead of thoughtful responses.
When they call you hateful, bigoted, racist, or any other epithet, it usually
means they don’t know why they believe what they believe, so their insecurity
manifests itself in anger…… You know such an allegation is ridiculous, and you
don’t need to dignify it with a response. Simply continue to kindly, humbly,
but confidently stand your ground. It may be that this conversation planted a
seed in them.
When these red flags show up, it means someone is using
toxic empathy to capitalize on the Christian’s righteous desire to be
compassionate to the outcast and the weak, distorting biblical love into
progressive activism and manipulating women into supporting issues that are
harmful and, in many cases, sinful.
--- Allie Beth Stuckey, Toxic Empathy: How Progressives
Exploit Christian Compassion. 2024.
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