A Personal Insight On How Religion Has Destroyed Empathy

Written by: Yareli Brie

Published: 01/12/2025

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Disclaimer: This article is not to discredit religion, as I have a lot of friend and family that are religious and love them dearly.

Los Angeles, CA has just had the worst fires in the history of the state destroying over 25,000 acres of land. In the fires destructive path, it demolished people's homes and memories in the Palisades and Altadena. 135,000 people were evacuated and displaced. Most of those people are not wealthy and have lived in those homes for decades or were generational homes. It has been a devastating blow to the city. What do I see when I open up TikTok? "Los Angeles deserved this for their sinful nature! God is angry!" one user wrote. Another wrote: "This is the wrath of God as we have seen in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah." With my mouth wide open, I exited the app in disbelief. "How can humans think like that? How can people be so filled with hate?" I thought.

Within the last 8 years I've noticed sinister behavior from those that are supposed to "love thy neighbor," despite their background or beliefs. I know their feeling of superiority has always been around, though now they hide behind their keyboard. Now, they can sit comfortably behind their computer or phones to tell people that they're basically worthless and going to "hell" because...well... they're not Christian. And what else has changed? Oh, their cult leader, Donald Trump is now feeding them with exactly what they want to hear. A way to confirm their biases

Pray for those that aren't as fortunate as we are because they will be going to hell, while we're given a life of salvation.

I grew up a Southern Baptist, religious Christian. I know all of this too well. In fact, my parents were basically in a Christian cult for almost 5 years. I saw some behavior that I won't get too into, but all of a sudden, everyone that wasn't involved in their religion were enemies. Including me. I was either not doing anything by the Bible or they worried about me living in a "sinful, Liberal" state. I love my parents and I sympathize and understand their comments came out of concern because of what they believe. Their time in that church was a big part of the reason I was able to begin questioning things. That and attending a church in Culver City, CA where the pastor said he could have visions. YES VISIONS! I vividly remember getting in a prayer circle and the people around me said God had sent them a vision and they would explain in detail the vision "God" sent them in the moment. This is what led the to my awakening. "But that's not real Christianity though!" I can hear it already. Sounds deranged but after that, the walls came down and Christianity started to sound just as impossible. Everything I believed in started to sound like myth.

I stayed Christian for most of my adult life up until 3 years ago and consider myself to be Agnostic now. I never acted like those types of Christians though, right? Or so I thought. I may have never gotten as intense, but I have a very clear memory about crying about my boyfriend in my early twenties because I thought he might be going to hell since he wasn't a Christian. I cringe at the thought so often, pretty sure there's a permanent wrinkle on my upper lip. I never thought I was better than anyone else. I just constantly felt sadness for people because they weren't coming to heaven with me. I ACTUALLY HAD THESE THOUGHTS. What a weird burden to put on oneself. Once you're out of it, it's hard to believe you thought like that. It made sense when you were in it, but it seems impossible to fathom once you leave.

Which leads me to wonder why people talk about how they'd never be in a cult because they're too smart-- but what if you're born into it? How do you decipher the reality you've been fed from actual reality? That's where my bit of sympathy comes in. I was lucky enough to move to Los Angeles and live in a city that is diverse with people with different beliefs and backgrounds. I do believe that saved me from a life of the constant judgement of others.

Religion has become a competition of who is worthy and who isn't. It has lost all community aspect.

I have met some incredible Christians throughout my life. Amazing people that genuinely care for others. I do not believe that they are bad people. In fact, if you're a real Christian, I don't think they'd be bragging about being a Christian. They'd volunteer and help their community. Those people exist. I've just come to the conclusion that most Christians living in the United States, suffer from Religious Narcissism. The feeling of superiority because they believe their religion is right above all religions and everyone that isn't Christian will be damned in hell for eternity. (And this is a topic for another time, but it's pretty much most religions.) Someone could donate money, help the homeless, volunteer their whole lives, and in their eyes still be damned. It is them that will make it to heaven because they are enlightened. They know Jesus. Like I mentioned earlier, if you're born into it, you think there's nothing wrong. It's all you know. Question it and "you're being attacked by the devil." The hate however, that could easily be stopped and controlled. They don't want that though because why change something that makes you feel superior? Why change something when your piece of mind is the most important thing?

I empathize and know a lot of Christians are victims. A lot of people in religions are-. Mormonism, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, and other worldly religions. It is hard to break away from; however, where did empathy go and why is this new wave of Christians so hateful? MAGA has become synonymous with Christians. They preach hate. Christians have also become synonymous with Israel and the war crimes they've committed because they believe it's in the prophecy of The Bible. It's hard to be kind when you're so dead set on thinking what you believe is the truth. I almost admire it.

One of the many Tiktoks I saw this week regarding the Los Angeles fires in the Palisades and Altendena.

It fascinates me to no end how the Christian's today would not be people Jesus would have liked. They'd be the people Jesus warned others about. He taught about helping your neighbors regardless of race, sex, gender, immigration status, or religion. When did Christians stray so far away from his word? Saying people deserve a natural disaster because people live in a city they deem "too liberal"or "UnGodly" is abhorrent and vile. I aspire for a time when they realize how damaging their words are and that what they preach isn't tough love -- it is hate disguised as the word of God.

Religious Narcissism: individuals who use spiritual beliefs or practices to elevate themselves, often seeking validation, admiration, or a sense of superiority over others..