Cheering Murder, Losing Our Soul: A Call Back to Our Shared Humanity

How Did We Get Here? From Outrage to Applauding Atrocity

In this edition, host Corey Nathan offers a timely and deeply personal reflection on a disturbing trend in society: the growing tendency to dehumanize one another. We unpack two tragic incidents that sparked widespread and even celebratory reactions online—mass murders of corporate executives—and explore what these reactions say about our collective soul. Using real-life examples, scriptural references, and philosophical insights, the challenge is to consider how we might reclaim our shared humanity.

What Is Discussed:

• How online culture enables dehumanization and moral numbness
• The emotional and spiritual toll of celebrating harm toward others
• Practical ways to recognize and preserve each other's humanity
• The concept of Imago Dei and how it applies in daily life, even beyond religious contexts
• How to model grace and kindness, even in the face of hostility

Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] — Corey introduces the idea of a “vicious cycle” of dehumanization and how it suffocates our soul and hardens our hearts
• [00:04:00] — The story of Wesley LePatner, CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust and the horrifying online reactions to her murder
• [00:08:00] — The “Free Luigi” movement and how the celebration of violence has become normalized
• [00:13:00] — A personal experience with a vile online comment and the power of grace in response
• [00:18:00] — Explanation of “online disinhibition” and echo chambers as systemic drivers of dehumanization
• [00:24:00] — Introduction of Imago Dei and secular philosophies that affirm basic human dignity
• [00:29:00] — How Corey chose to respond thoughtfully rather than react angrily to an offensive comment
• [00:34:00] — A call to action: practical steps to disrupt the cycle of dehumanization in our personal lives and broader discourse

Resources Mentioned:

• Maya Sulkin’s piece in The Free Press
• PIX11 News coverage of NYC mass shooting of 7/28/25
• Charlie Warzel’s article in The Atlantic on Luigi Mangione

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