In English, when we need a new word, we may coin something new or borrow from another language. For example, we borrowed “cookie” from Dutch. If you hate math, you can thank Arabic for the word “algebra.” In German, the tendency is to take a descriptive phrase and make it into a single word. We do that, but the Germans are well known for it. I suppose my favorite example applies to me: Radiogesicht. It literally means “radio face,” implying one has “a face for radio,” i.e., they are ugly. There is one word, though, which has become far too common in the state of disunity we find our society in. That word would be Schadenfreude. This is the pleasure one gets when seeing the suffering of another.
I’ve been chewing on this word for a while because of recent events. First, we see people cheering and celebrating the killing of Charlie Kirk in Utah. People seem unable to separate the person from their views, words, and actions. Because they dislike what he stood for, they see this as sufficient to hope for and celebrate his death. I hope we as Christians can see just how terrible this is. A father, a husband, a person made in the image of God was gunned down over words.
On the other hand, I see people cheering because those who did the above are losing their jobs and being canceled. While I don’t see this as rising to the level of moral equivalence, I do think it is wrong for a Christian to celebrate when another suffers—even if they deserve it. Of course, some will ask, “Do you want someone like that teaching your children or grandchildren?” That answer is easy. I do not want that at all. I think anyone who would celebrate such a killing should not be allowed to teach children. I still remember when the teacher’s contract included Morals Clauses. I also believe that companies are allowed to decide who will or will not be their face to the community. If a business does not want such a person on their staff, then so be it. This is not a statement about whether they should lose their job. That is the business of their employer.
I am limiting myself to whether we, as followers of Christ, should celebrate such things. There is a difference between agreeing that someone deserved to be fired and cheering the firing. Of course, this means going beyond the view that the person deserved what they got. In many of the cases, I would agree they did. What we should never do is get pleasure out of such. It is amazing how many YouTube channels are dedicated to such stories. Suffering sells to both sides of the aisle.
As believers, we know God allows hardship in people’s lives to bring them to Himself. Let this inspire you not to take pleasure in people hitting rock bottom. Rather than laughing, ask God to touch the person’s heart. Rather than crowing, pray. I pray that he will make me such a person who does not take pleasure in such things. God is not finished with me. Maybe someday, I’ll be perfect. Of course, that will only happen when I stand before his throne. Until then, I am constantly in need of repenting. Lord, help me to pray for those suffering, even when they have earned it. Help me to have compassion for those I would naturally despise.