Last night, my friend told me that someone had broken into her friend's car, & had stolen her debit card, & her friend's purse. They reported the situation to the police, and later that afternoon, the police revealed to them that they'd found the people that had taken their things. It turns out, that it was a homeless couple that had done this... My friend said they'd gone to Wal Mart, and bought 100 dollars worth of things...but the ONLY thing they'd bought was food. They basically wanted something to eat, & that's what the police found them doing. Now my friend has a dilemma. The money will be returned to her debit card; however, she doesn't know if she should press charges or not. I told her I don't know what i'd do because I honestly don't. She is torn between compassion,&the desire to prevent them from going& doing this to others. I find this situation intriguing&also very sad.... I told her to do what she thought was best. Faced with the same situation, what would you do?
2007-08-26 04:08:52 · 11 answers · asked by LibraT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Colossians 3: 12-14
Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
These people are lost and do not need any more difficulty in their lives, pray for them and thank the Lord you are not in their situation.
2007-08-26 04:19:41 · answer #1 · answered by cyndee r 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Press charges.
Breaking into the car probably caused some damage that someone will have to pay for, either the insurance + deductible or just the owner alone.
You say all they had done was purchase food... yet. They were caught before they could do any further financial damage.
I've been homeless and let me tell you, there are two kinds. There are those who are honestly working to improve their situation and then there are the drug addicted liars begging for change for their next smoke or toke or needle. The homeless know where to get food handouts. They know where the shelters are so they can sleep. They beg for change to do other things.
This theft wasn't done in order to get food. That was only the first thing they bought before they were caught. Press charges.
2007-08-26 15:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by dougeebear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm coming for a Christian stand point, so I think you already know what I'm going to say. The fact of the matter is, the only thing pressing charges will do is put them in jail. They won't be rehabilitated, very likely and they'll do it again, only it'll be like 6 months from now (prison overcrowding and all).
I think that the state should get involved and get these people off the street and help them to find jobs.
God bless and I hope this helps.
-B
2007-08-26 11:19:32 · answer #3 · answered by The Brian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since I'd get my money back and they were homeless I'd forgive and NOT press charges and were I able offer to help them as much as I could. the fact they only bought food is a good sign! I WOULD press charges if it were a homeless person who used the money for drugs.
2007-08-26 11:14:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a sad situation, but not all homeless people are criminals. These people chose to have legal problems when they chose to break the law.
Yes, it is sad to think that there are people out there without enough food to eat, but a crime is a crime.
2007-08-26 11:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by conim2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds rather sad that they used it to buy food. I think you can be sympathetic to that but was there damage to your car?
If so, do you believe they will continue to break into others and cause damage just to get food money? You know, there are food shelters around.
Some people sell food stamps just to buy drugs.
2007-08-26 11:23:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her to put herself in their position. If she might steal to avoid starving, then be merciful! If not, throw the book at them. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Can't go wrong with that!
2007-08-26 11:49:19 · answer #7 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Begging is more honorable than stealing. There is no commandment that says: "Thou Shalt Not Beg".
By all means press charges.
2007-08-26 11:17:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's a tough one. If I were absolutely convinced that hunger was their only motivation, I suppose I'd let them off the hook.
2007-08-26 11:20:36 · answer #9 · answered by Robert K 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as she got her money back, I see no reason to take it further. In that case that was justified....everyone has got to eat.
2007-08-26 11:17:58 · answer #10 · answered by 2sexxxy32 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋