In this week's Pray the News, Kris Singh, Marketing and Communications Manager for Anglican Missions reflects on the death of Charlie Kirk and the role of empathy in an increasingly heated social and political discourse.
Charlie Kirk was a prominent and controversial conservative figure. His killing today is a symptom of a terrible disease that is sweeping across this world and infecting us all: the amplification, normalisation and emotional flattening of our sense of empathy.
His death, alongside others contained in daily reports of war, natural disasters, political violence, hunger and gun violence (like the tragic school shooting in Colorado which occurred on the very same day) are deeply unjust, wrong, and must be condemned.
Yet, they become moments to be captured, displayed and debated online. These are debates which rarely seem to be for the purpose of understanding. They are for people to talk without speaking, to hear without listening.
Political wheels begin to turn. "Whataboutisms" begin to fly. Narratives form. Sides coalesce. The temperature of the discourse rises.
In that moment of intense heat, is it even possible to stop and ask: "what kind of people are we becoming?" Or is it easier to switch off and retreat to the pleasant distractions - the bread and circuses?
Or perhaps it's even easier to retreat to the curated echo chambers of information built for us to play in? They reinforce our world views in a way that's comfortable and familiar. This comfort comes at a real, human cost. Tribalism takes over. "My team must win". This happens across the political and social spectrum. And our empathy is stripped away as the first victim of our dehumanisation.
Charlie Kirk's words about empathy have now begun to circulate online. Taken from one of his broadcasts, he said:
"... I think empathy is a made up New Age term that has done a lot of damage... sympathy, I prefer more than empathy".
I disagree with this, but find myself more fixated (concerned? confused?) as to why something so seemigly obvious as the ability to share and understand the feelings of others is considered a hostile concept. It's a growing talking point.
Perhaps I'm unaware of the deeper context, intent, or heart behind this quote. I recognise that Christians now hold a range of views on empathy, shaped by culture and theology that is far more recent. I also don't want to use Kirk's quote glibly, and acknowledge the grim and tragic fate of its author.
I won’t presume to speak for others. I can only share why, for me, empathy is essential.
Here's what I believe with my whole heart:
Empathy is an imperative for Christians who profess to follow Jesus.
Sympathy does not take us close enough to the heart of grief. Sympathy was Jesus seeing Lazarus dead in the tomb. Empathy is Jesus weeping with Martha and Mary.
Empathy does not, nor should it ever, dilute our convictions or our willingness to speak out for what believe is just, moral and fair. But, it should allow us to weep with Kirk's widow and their 3 young children, whatever we may think of the political opinions he represented.
Perhaps our human nature struggles to see empathy as a gift that is often extended but never returned. I argue that this is precisely the radical gospel of grace, the cost of following Christ, and the example of Jesus that Paul writes about in Romans 5:8:
"... but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Empathy is a gift that is hard to give, but easy to receive. God give us strength to make that first counter-cultural step.
Note: The reflections shared here represent the personal views of the author and are offered to encourage thoughtful dialogue. They do not necessarily reflect the official position of Anglican Missions.