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The concept of Sympathy in Christianity

According to the Catholic Church and Early Christianity, sympathy is defined as a feeling experienced for another's distress. It emphasizes emotional connection directed toward others, highlighting the importance of this emotion in human interactions. Sympathy is particularly significant in the context of grief, as it reflects compassion and humanity; lacking this emotion would render individuals inhuman. Thus, sympathy is an essential aspect of understanding and responding to the suffering of others.

Synonyms: Compassion, Empathy, Understanding, Condolence, Pity, Commiseration, Solace, Concern, Kindliness, Humanity

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Sympathy'

Christianity Books

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) Sympathy is a feeling for another’s distress, and it is directed toward another person, not oneself, unless it is in a figurative sense, as it is in justice.[1]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This is an emotion that can be experienced due to grief, and without this emotion, individuals would be considered inhuman.[2]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.