A recent op-ed decries a swift, and in the author’s view, inappropriate empathy shown toward killers that overshadows the mourning of victims. The piece calls recent murders “demonic” and insists that society should focus first on those who have suffered loss.
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Analysis and Opinions
Op-Ed: Call This Week’s Murders What They Are – Demonic
Photo by The Western Journal
Key Takeaways:
- The op-ed categorizes recent murders as “demonic.”
- The author criticizes an immediate “rush to empathy for killers.”
- The piece underlines the importance of prioritizing victims’ grief.
- It questions why society so quickly turns to understanding criminals.
- Published by The Western Journal, it offers a strong moral and spiritual critique of this phenomenon.
Context of the Recent Tragedy
The article, originally published as an op-ed titled “Call This Week’s Murders What They Are – Demonic,” expresses alarm at how quickly some are inclined to show empathy for killers in the wake of horrific violence. “The rush to empathy for killers begins before shocked Americans like me can even take time to pray for the families of the victims,” it says, underscoring the author’s dismay that the tragedy and its toll on grieving families might be overshadowed.
Calling Out Misplaced Empathy
Central to the argument is that while understanding criminal behavior has its place, immediate sympathy for violent individuals can distract from the wrong done to victims. By referring to these acts as “demonic,” the author elevates the discussion to a moral arena, suggesting evil should be recognized as such rather than softened by quick attempts at rationalization.
Shifting Focus Back to Victims
The writer’s call to action is for the public and the media to center the conversation on those who have lost their lives and for the grieving families who deserve respect and support. Rather than rushing to explain or excuse the motivations behind the murders, the piece stresses that honoring the victims should always come first.
Why Language Matters
Using the term “demonic” is a deliberate choice to highlight the severity of the crimes and to challenge what the author sees as a cultural inclination to empathize too quickly with perpetrators. By naming the actions in strongly moral terms, the op-ed aims to remind readers that murder ought to be confronted directly without downplaying its horror.
