Empathy is not a sin
No one should have to tell you that empathy is not a sin. But in case you were wondering, we don’t think so.
A blogger on a popular evangelical website has the gall to try to write in the voice of CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, addressing these remarks to Uncle Screwtape’s nephew, Wormwood:
“Now, sufferers have been placing such impossible demands on others from time immemorial. In response, our armies have fought for decades to twist the Enemy’s virtue of compassion into its counterfeit, empathy. Since we introduced the term a century ago, we’ve steadily taught the humans to regard empathy as an improvement upon compassion or sympathy.
Compassion only suffers with another person; empathy suffers in them. It’s a total immersion into the pain, sorrow, and suffering of the afflicted. Under our influence, we’ve taught the humans to think, ‘Only a heartless and unfeeling beast could oppose such a total immersion, such a generous act of ‘love.’’ Our recent success in this conceptual migration has given us ample opportunity for mayhem” (by Joe Rigney).
Intersectionality
Here’s a quote from Womankind.org that proves a basic definition of the concept of intersectionality. Among other benefits, the theory of intersectionality can prevent us from shallow, one-dimensional assumptions about another’s identity.
“Put simply, intersectionality is the concept that all oppression is linked. More explicitly, the Oxford Dictionary defines intersectionality as “the interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage”. (from https://www.womankind.org.uk/intersectionality-101-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/).
People are complicated and multi-layered. The additional layers, roles, and identities, while complex, can also allow for ways to connect and build relationships for equity, justice, and friendship. These roles are social identities, that is, they are defined by the ways culture defines these identities and become the opportunities for connection, or the differences that lead to rejection.
These social intersections were continually identified by Jesus, and can be seen as a subplot in many of his interactions with others, especially with those who are suffering. In one story, a victim is suffering from disregard. In another story, a victim is suffering by being isolated and seen as the focus and center of attention and the locus of the problem.
1. How do we see Jesus crossing boundaries to enter into the pain, sorrow, and suffering of others? How do we hear Jesus’ “go and do likewise”?
2. Consider the stories of the beaten man by the road and the woman accused of adultery. Discuss the ways intersecting roles combine with suffering and injustice.
3. Are there other stories of Jesus where he crosses boundaries to enter into the suffering of others to rescue the image of God with each person.
4. Thinking of Jesus’ way of building relationships with others whose social identities - that is, the way they are seen and “pigeon-holed” by others - reflect on your own experiences of connecting with others. What have been the positive as well as the challenging experiences?