Would you risk your life for someone who has different beliefs?

Question

Say your neighbor was being robbed at gunpoint. You know this person has very different views from you. Maybe your a beleiver and your neighbor is an atheist or vice versa.
And maybe you think his/her beliefs are extreme and a direct slap in the face to what you believe. Would you try and save them or let them die?

Im not asking to figure out what I would do. I am asking to see what other people would do.
LOL my neighbor is being robbed at gunpoint and I am checking on YA/RS to see what I should do!!
LOL idiot.

Answer 1

In response to your specific question about a neighbor, of course I would intervene. That is what real tolerance is all about. Living at peace with those who have different views but not compromising your beliefs and principles for PC purposes.

In the larger view, that is what the men and women of the US Military do every day.

Answer 2

Well their beliefs wouldn't be a factor, but I doubt I'd interfere. If they're being robbed at gunpoint then I think the safest option would be to simply give the robber what they want. Any action on my part would be likely to scare or aggravate the robber, which would certainly increase the risk of my neighbour (or myself) being shot.
Whether I would help in any situation like this would depend on the danger involved. If it was my neighbour (I don't really talk to my neighbours very much) then I wouldn't do it if I felt the risk (to myself as well as others) if I acted was equal or greater than the risk if I didn't act. If it was someone I really cared about, then the danger to myself would be less important.

Answer 3

I don't think the situation you've described requires a risking of my life.

As I am the only witness free to report the event, my responsibility would be to inform others. If I rush in on my own, and get killed, the situation remains and no one else is aware of it.

However, to answer the more general question: would I risk my life for someone with different beliefs?

I cannot say "yes", and I cannot say "no". I am sure my son's beliefs are quite different from mine, yet I would risk my life for him anytime.

I know my friends have different beliefs from mine, and I would risk my life for them if a situation arose where that was needed.

If the person with the gun in your example were surrounded by police who were about to gun him down, I do not think I'd be jumping into the line of fire to save the gunman. Obviously the guman and I have very different beliefs.

You've asked an interesting question that can plumb the depths of our compassion and prudence.

Keep in mind, my life is not my own alone to risk. I am a widower and my young son needs me. My first responsibility is to ensure I am here to care for him.

The needs of others, even life-sustaining needs, must be weighed against that responsibility.

Answer 4

If I didn't try to save them, it would have nothing to do with my beliefs. In fact it would be that I was being a coward and not applying my beliefs. Because no matter what a person believes, they are still my neighbor, they are still human, and therefore they still deserve the same treatment that I would give someone who shared my beliefs. I would hope that I would have the courage to risk myself for anyone who needed help regardless of our differences. I'm pretty sure the Golden Rule would apply to this situation.

Answer 5

If you have to base your decision on helping a fellow human being on the fact whether he shares your religious viewpoints.
Then you might as well stop believing altogether, in that case you
have failed as a human being.
Not a religion on Earth deep down inside will condone such
an attitude.
As for the question if I would risk my life ?. I honestly do not know, I like to think I would.
But to proclaim myself a hero before the fact seems a bit big
headed, I won't know till I'm forced to make that choice.

Answer 6

I would have to assume that I was supposed to be there to help in one way or another. God is a purposeful God and if you have the tiniest bit of kindness in you, you would help a "person in need", especially when there life is at risk and if they have different beliefs then you could be the ONE person who will witness about the Lord and maybe plant the seed of faith and the Truth could be revealed to them.

Answer 7

I would help any human in need. If you are hungry and I have food you may sit at my table. If you are cold you may warm yourself by my fire. If you are ill I will offer you herbs to heal your body. If you are frightend I will sit with you until your fear passes. If you are sad I will lend you my ear. If you are in danger I will pull you to safety.
Why would I do any different? Your differences do not make you any less worthy of these things. Nor should my differences make me any less willing to offer them!

Siksika Blackfoot Mother

Answer 8

Try and save of course.
It's always good when your opinion is opposed, then you have a space to debate.
And of course human life is above all, even if he is a homo-satanist-jew when you turn to be a neo-fascist.
Besides people with different beliefs sometimes turn out to be best friends.

Answer 9

If I knew there was a chance I could over take the gunman then yes, but other than that no. Not because they believe different, but because that would be stupid for anyone else to put there self in danger.

Answer 10

Of course I would try and save them. No view (exept hate and disrespect of people) is a slap in the face to me. I respect everyones, and I don't understand how people could sit on this site and just make fun of people who belive in god (I don't) but it still isn't my place to judge anyone.