Who would have thought that the idea of empathy could become a polarizing topic in our political climate? That’s what a recent poll by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found. Regretfully, it was presented in an anti-Trump context, but the statistics are still disturbing:
Democrats (84%) and Independents (70%) are more likely than Republicans (53%) to see empathy as a net positive to society. White evangelicals were the least likely to name empathy as a foundational social value (42%), and more than half of white evangelicals (54%) said, “empathy can become dangerous when it leads people away from building a society guided by God’s truth.”
This has been gelling among the conservative crowd for a while. “The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy,” Elon Musk said on The Joe Rogan Experience last year, comparing it to a bug in Western civilization. And in 2019, conservative theologian Joe Rigney wrote a blog post about the “enticing sin of empathy,” arguing that “Satan corrupts through compassion.”
I was horrified. Empathy is not a bug in the Creation; it is the foundation of the New Covenant. The New Command Jesus’s kingdom is “to love one another as I have loved you.” He told us that this love extends not just to people in the household of faith, but to orphans, widows, the needy, and even to our enemies. Empathy cannot be construed as a political weapon, not for the faithful.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is the foundation of how Jesus invited us into his kingdom and to fulfill his desires. Empathy is not a bug; it is the love Jesus designed to build his society on God’s truth. Honestly, this is why the content of Just Love is so important for today. Many Christians have lost hope that the power of love is the way God brings his kingdom and his justice into the world.
With this noted lack of empathy among evangelicals, it is perhaps no surprise that the financial excesses and abuses that many Christian organizations perpetuate under the nonprofit laws in the United States. On Friday’s podcast, Kyle and I talk about a new documentary called The Religion Business, which starkly demonstrates the problem. I’ll warn you, it’s painful to watch if you have any kind of conscience.
It exposes how billions of dollars are collected every year under the banner of Christianity, which is mostly spent for the personal enrichment of ministry leaders or institutions instead of going to ministry programs to help people spiritually or to help people in need. And even those who collect for needy people keep most of the money for “administrative” costs that are much higher than needed.
If they had even a modicum of empathy for the people who give them money, the people they claim to help with it, or those they supposedly “minister to,” none of this would happen. Could it be that their lack of empathy is a contagion all across the religious landscape?
Before his death, disgraced ministry leader Ravi Zacharias said, “When you get to the top in my profession, you have already proved that you have compromised your convictions several times along the way.” After his death, it came to light that he had sexually harassed numerous women on his staff.
Reread his statement. It applies to the leaders of most national ministries that I know personally. It is not only a sad indictment of those leaders, but it is also a testament to the lack of discernment on the part of those who continue to send them money, thinking they are part of Christ and his kingdom.
It was especially hard to watch all of that while I gaze upon requests for help in Kenya. A few months ago, we were asked to help drill a well in East Pokot and provide immediate relief for those starving there. Many of you remember our multi-year involvement in West Pokot to rescue five tribes, well over 150,000 people who had no water or anything to eat.
While I was praying about whether or not to get involved in yet another project at this season of life, a man contacted me who wanted to give $50,000 to help in Kenya. Because of his gift, we were able to drill a well in East Pokot (see photo above) and provide some immediate food assistance. They still need an additional $6,000 to help feed them before they can plant and harvest their crops.
In addition, I got a request last week from one of the orphanages we have assisted in Kenya. Sara and I bought them a tractor a few months ago to help them feed 400 orphans who live and go to school there. Kenya requires orphanages to have a minimum of three acres to ensure the kids have enough space. To meet that requirement, they have leased an acre from a family next door. But that family has to sell their land because they are moving across the country.
That one acre cost $30,000. If the orphanage can’t buy it, the family will sell it, and 400 kids will be turned out on the street. I don’t know about you, but that directly hits my heart. These kids have already been rescued, are currently being educated, and they will soon have the resources to provide their own food supply.
So, I’m coming back to the amazing audience yet again, to see if you can help me raise $36,000 for these two needs in Kenya. If this touches your heart, would you consider helping us raise this money? To do so, you can visit our Donation Page at Lifestream. Check the box for “Kenya Relief”. You can also Venmo contributions to “@LifestreamMinistries” or mail a check to Lifestream Ministries • 107 N. Reino Rd, PMB# 411 • Newbury Park, CA 91320-3710. Or, if you prefer, we can take your donation over the phone at (805) 990-8780.
As always, every dime you send will end up in Kenya, and no gift is too small. We will not take out any money for our own administrative costs. And whether or not you can help us here at this time, please lean into the power of empathy for people around you. Seeing life through their eyes is not a bug in the human experience; it is the best way to spread God’s light in the world.
