A sharp Christian voice makes a bold argument: when politics are driven by empathy rather than truth, innocent people pay the price.
We are told that empathy is the highest virtue—the key to being a good person. Is that true? Or has “empathy,” like so many other words of our day— “tolerance,” “justice,” “acceptance”—been hijacked by bad actors who exploit compassion for their own political ends?
In Toxic Empathy, Allie Beth Stuckey argues that empathy has become a tool of manipulation by left-wing activists who bully people into believing that they must adopt progressive positions to be loving. She explores the five most heated issues through which toxic empathy is deployed: abortion, gender, sexuality, immigration, and social justice. Progressives use catchy mantras to present their perspective as empathetic, like “abortion is healthcare,” “love is love,” or “no human being is illegal,” but in each case, they ignore the other side of the moral equation. For example, abortion is presented as compassionate for the woman, but what about the human life the procedure kills?
This book isn’t about killing empathy; it’s about submitting our empathy to God’s definitions of love, goodness, and justice. Stuckey exposes the logical pitfalls and moral consequences of toxic empathy, equipping Christians with research-backed, Biblical truths to dismantle the progressive lies that have permeated our culture— and our church.
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“Most lies are wrapped in partial truths, often conveyed through heartbreaking stories. In Toxic Empathy, Allie Beth shares poignant thoughts from diverse viewpoints, offering insight as to why people (and even Christians) come to such different conclusions. Using scripture, reason, and reality, Stuckey advocates for the conservative position while still acknowledging where progressives are coming from.”
—Hillary Morgan Ferrer, bestselling author of Mama Bear Apologetics
Toxic Empathy exposes how unsuspecting Christians play into Satan’s plot to pit compassion against the truth—as though we can be more merciful than God. Allie Beth exposes that Satan’s ploy is to hamstring Christians to believe that empathy—standing in the shoes of someone else—is the highest expression of love. She addresses five lies of our age, illustrating Christian wisdom and compassion as she exposes what Satan wants to conceal. Every page is a lifeline of sanity, common sense, Christian wisdom, and gospel evangelism. A brilliant book every Christian should read.”
—Rosaria Butterfield, bestselling author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
“As a woman passionately committed to defending the most vulnerable, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Give it to the high schoolers in your life. It will both alert them to the manipulative tactics routinely brandished against good-hearted people as well as make them experts who can stand firm on behalf of the least of these.”
—Katy Faust, founder of Them Before Us
“Toxic Empathy is an eye-opening and truthful corrective to a confused culture that calls evil good and good evil. Informative and packed with biblical truth, it is disarmingly compassionate and emotionally compelling. This is THE book for this cultural moment.”
—Alisa Childers, author of The Deconstruction of Christianity and host of The Alisa Childers Podcast
“This book will help all readers to understand the urgency of the moral battle of our time. Stuckey shows how moral confusion can take the shape of a corrupted, toxic form of empathy and compassion. The antidote to confusion is the truth—and thoughtful Christians will be very thankful for this book.”
—R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and editor of WORLD Opinions
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Title
Toxic Empathy
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Author(s)
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ISBN
9780593541944
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Format
Hardback
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Publisher
Penguin RH
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Audience
Adults
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Published
10/15/2024