Conservative Christian Leaders Argue Empathy Enables Sin

In 2025, a growing movement among conservative Christians, particularly within President Donald Trump's base, argues that empathy has shifted from a virtue to a vice, claiming it is exploited by progressives to promote policies they view as sinful, including abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and certain immigration and racial justice perspectives. Authors like Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney have published books critiquing empathy from a Christian standpoint, warning it can lead to affirming sin and destructive policies. This anti-empathy stance gained momentum early in Trump's second term, coinciding with his administration's executive orders that critics labeled as lacking compassion, with figures like Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance articulating related critiques. However, this perspective faces pushback from other Christian leaders and scholars who emphasize empathy as central to Jesus’ teachings, arguing that rejecting empathy contradicts core Christian values. The debate highlights a broader cultural and theological divide within American Christianity about the role and limits of empathy in public and religious life.