A hundred years ago in America, the word compassion was defined in its literal meaning [i] – “to suffer with.” Today our definition [ii] is “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” That is a pretty big difference. “Suffering with” versus a mere desire for something. Today’s definition feels shallow and weak.
Dr. Martin Luther King Weighs In
There is no doubt about which definition of compassion Dr. Martin Luther King believed in:
“Pity may represent little more than the impersonal concern which prompts the mailing of a cheque, but true sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one’s soul. Pity may arise from interest in an abstraction called humanity, but sympathy grows out of a concern for a particular needy human being who lies at life’s roadside [iii].
The Definition of Compassion Influences the Purpose of Charity
The purpose of welfare and charity is at the heart of the poverty debate in America. Is it enough to care and hand out benefits? Or are we trying to help people gain financial independence and eliminate poverty? Welfare and charities over the years have spent trillions of dollars aimed at millions of Americans. By that definition, America is the most compassionate country in the world. But most of the citizens are not very involved with the poor. Most aid is given in a “hands-off” manner; the receiver is just a name and address. Not enough of us have suffered with the poor or given of our souls. Not enough of us follow the old definition of compassion.
This blog supports the Ultimate Guide on How to Help the Poor – Be Kind Hearted
[i] The Tragedy of American Compassion – Marvin Olasky. Crossway Books, 1992 and 2008. Page 197.
[ii] Merriam-Webster Dictionary. [Internet]. Retrieved November 9, 2015. Available here.
[iii] Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1963, Strength to Love, William Collins Sons & Co Ltd., Glasgow. Page 32.