Like most, I’m distressed by the joy and comedy evoked by the brutal murders of Charlie Kirk, Brian Thompson and other cancelable offenders. And let’s not forget the multiple assassination attempts on the president (‘Too bad they missed,’ etc.), lampooned by talk show hosts, celebrities (famous for their faces, not brains) the news, social media and, of course, political pundits. Well, I found out there’s a word for that sort of thing.
Schadenfreude.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica and Psychology Today, Schadenfreude describes ‘a person who finds happiness in the misfortunes of others… This term combines the German terms schaden (damage) and freude (joy) and refers to pleasure one derives from another’s troubles… Schadenfreude is linked to personality traits in the Dark Triad—narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy—as well as low empathy, low self-esteem and aggression…and are more likely to feel schadenfreude towards those outside their social group or rivals.’
They add, ‘Schadenfreude can negatively impact personal relationships and social interactions by eroding empathy and fostering a culture of negativity. It may lead to a lack of trust and cooperation within communities, as individuals become desensitized to the suffering of others.’ (lampoonmagazine.com)
Hm. The Apostle Paul said such something much different:
‘Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’
And if that were not enough, Jesus told us what to do about those lost in schadenfreude:
‘I say love your enemies—do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you… and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.’
It’s what Jesus called us to be in a world that’s circling the drain. As the old Hebrew National Hot Dog commercial boasted, “they may, but we can’t…we have to answer to an even Higher Authority…’
Give ‘em Heaven.
—j
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