Why do you help others?

Question

1. Because I pity them
2. Because I relate to their struggle
3. Because God says I should
4. Because it is right that I should
5. Because it makes me feel good
6. I can't come up with a good reason I shouldn't
7. Another reason. (Please explain)

Answer 1

2
4
5
6
and other

Answer 2

2+3+4=5

Answer 3

Number 4 5 and 6

Answer 4

7. Other, I guess. I wouldn't necessarily say I pity people, though sometimes my heart screams for what we do to each other. I may not necessarily relate to their struggle in life, because my life is blessed with peace, and love and relative prosperity. I do not believe in a God that defines how I live my life. 4 is an interesting option - I believe that we are all able to help each other, and life being what it is, it is "right" that we should help each other when we can, but accepting this "rightness" of things is not a precondition to receive my help. 5 - it certainly does make me feel good, but not, I would hope, simply because I am proud to do things that I think are "right". Simply that the advancement of any human being, and the easing of their way, brings a pleasure to my heart. 6 is certainly also true to some extent - unless helping them would harm a greater number of people, or bring a greater harm to any people, I have trouble conceiving of reasons not to help people.

Ultimately though, it has to be 7. I figure we are funny little creatures, and we're all in this "life" thing together. If I can help someone else by my actions or my words, by my ear or my shoulder, then the effort becomes its own reward in their advancement or progression.

Answer 5

I'll give you the religious answer and the non-religious answer.

Non-religious first:

1 and 2. All the other reasons are irrelevant and illogical. (ie 3 - there is no God, 4 - there is no "right", 5 - feeling "good" is just a chemical reaction since there is no spirit, 6 - I will never admit that I don't have the answers.)

Religious second:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. All these reasons are valid and most of them apply when a religious person helps another person.

Answer 6

2, 5, and 7.

2. My time and energy are limited, so I've had to focus on the people and issues I care about most. (Top priorities: my spiritual community and my family first of all, then issues like housing, health care, and helping disadvantaged kids).

5. Since I've been poor in the past--no job, no medical care, inadequate food, unsafe housing--and have needed help, I feel really good now that I'm able to give something back.

And now 7. I believe in the Threefold Law--what you send out--in words, in deeds, or simply in energy--comes back to you threefold. I believe that when I help others, the good I've done will return to me many times over.

Answer 7

2 & 5

Answer 8

Depending upon the specific scenario, all but 3 and 6 apply for me. As a Humanist, I do not believe that supernatural beings are floating around us, waiting to help us through life's troubles. Human beings should help one another because we share common needs and desires and need one another in order to survive and progress. In short, we're all that we have.

Answer 9

4 & 5 & 6

Answer 10

2. 4. and 5. are the reasons why i help other people out

Answer 11

2, 4, 5.