If God sent your child to Hell.

[henryp]

I honestly can't relate to any of that.  Even in my earliest memory I felt a great compassion for my fellow human beings without religion.  I do agree that I don't act upon my compassion as much as I should, but that's more due to life beating me down.  I didn't have some semblance of a normal life until I was thirty, and even five years later, I still have just enough energy to function properly and take care of my kids.  After getting through the day, I have nothing left to give to anyone else.  Things are getting easier, though, and I've started coming up with ideas of how I can help others.
I agree that, as a society, we pay lip-service to helping others, but when it comes to actually doing something about it, we go about our selfish lives.  It does sound, however, that your just using that as an excuse to justify your own callousness.

Why don't you think people act upon their compassion?  What is different about empathy vs. all the other natural instincts we have.  In most cases, the conscious decision requires effort to not act upon our instincts.  You have to try not to eat.  Or try not to stare at boobs.  Or try not to protect your family. But with acting upon 'caring about others' it usually takes a big effort to follow your instincts, particularly as they become more distant and less 'linked' to us.  First I've thought of this, so no opinion yet.  What do you think?