Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion

by Allie Beth Stuckey

In sum, many of these “pro–all life” arguments suggest that compassion demands we give less of our attention to preventing abortion and more attention to improving the lives of women and to causes other than abortion. Advocates of this position are typically hesitant to support legal restrictions on abortions. However subtle, this is toxic empathy in action. It takes attention away from the true victim of abortion—the baby—and her legal right to life, and instead focuses only on the pregnant woman. The truth is, the pro-life movement is already going above and beyond to meet the needs of women. They’re just not waiting for the government to do the job they know God has called them to do themselves. In addition to advocating for laws that protect the lives of babies, pro-lifers are serving women and families in incredible, transformational ways.