On The Line Dr. Joe Rigney: This Lie Has Undermined the Church
Nov 24, 2025
Dr. Joe Rigney, a theologian and author of The Sin of Empathy, dives deep into the pitfalls of untethered empathy that muddle compassion with emotional manipulation. He explores how this trend undermines truth and stifles debate in society and politics. Rigney critiques the role of sympathy versus empathy, illustrating how the latter can weaponize victimhood and silence opposing views. He argues for sober-mindedness and the necessity of grounding compassion in truth, calling for clarity on moral issues, especially in modern cultural dilemmas.
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Empathy Untethered From Truth Is Dangerous
- Untethered empathy elevates feelings above truth and becomes a tool of emotional manipulation.
- Joe Rigney argues modern culture weaponized empathy, letting reactive individuals set agendas.
Sympathy Versus Modern Empathy
- Sympathy remains anchored to objective reality and practical help.
- Empathy, as modernized, leaps in untethered and can sink both helper and helped.
Pity Party Example From Lewis And Film
- Lewis's The Great Divorce illustrates pity becoming manipulative and tyrannical.
- Rigney uses the 'pity party' and movie examples to show emotional leverage in relationships.