My last question was a lead-in.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AktFUj20V0ybCdTKjKvymRbd7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20071128112426AAwmlZg
2007-11-28 06:35:22 · 37 answers · asked by iamnoone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Solo...thumbs up for the honesty.
2007-11-28 06:42:55 · update #1
Pure selfishness. I do it to feel good about how kind I am. Sick, huh?
2007-11-28 06:38:13 · answer #1 · answered by ►solo 6 · 7⤊ 2⤋
I don't do large random acts of kindness (like buying a needy person a car or paying a $300 light bill) simply because I am not wealthy enough to do so. I do, however, do small random acts of kindness every day...calling a church member that had a prayer request and checking on them to see if there is more that I can do,"forgiving" a week's worth of tuition for a family in need of extra cash for the holidays, helping elderly ladies carry groceries to their car, picking up trash on the side of the road or in the parking lot, caring for children after hours for no pay to help out a struggling mom...and I do it for two reasons...1) I have been given the greatest random act of kindness ever known to man, salvation of my soul at the cost of Jesus Christ and 2) I would hope, that should I ever be in need of assistance, someone would be there for me.
2007-11-28 06:57:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did not see your last q. but I'm just an all around nice guy who gets pleasure out of helping others. Still some times God has me do something I don't want to do, but because I know that it's him sending me, I do it anyway.
Still, usually, I think it's wanting to feel good, like Solo said. No I don't think it's sick. Maybe it deserves some philosophical thought.
Another thought is this; all religions (I think) have the idea that Jesus taught, which is that "you reap what you sew". This seems to indicate that these actions are embedded into who we are as a species. A spiritual law that exists apart from cognitive reasoning.
What do you think?
2007-11-28 06:39:35 · answer #3 · answered by Gypsy Priest 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do good things because it makes me feel good. I do good things because others have been kind to me and I embrace the opportunity to 'Pay it Forward". I do good things for others because it's the way I was raised, and I can't imagine being a different person than that. I sometimes do things for others that are not in my own best interest, or that make life uncomfortable for me for a time. But I only have to remember the friend who let me sleep on her couch when my boyfriend would beat me up, and I know why - because it's the human thing to do. (BTW - boyfriend is long gone. I grew up and don't put up with crap anymore. That's been 12 years ago)
2007-11-28 07:51:39 · answer #4 · answered by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The last RAoK that comes to my mind was when I gave a homeless guy twenty bucks. I did it mainly because he didn't bust my chops asking for money. In fact he didn't ask for money at all -- he showed my son how to ring the Freedom Bell out in front of Union Station; then pulled me aside and asked me, not for my change, but to please teach my son not be be afraid of homeless people or to look down upon them.
Maybe the guy really used it so he could sleep someplace warm that night. Maybe he blew it on booze or crack. I don't know, but it made me feel good to do something nice for him without him asking for it.
2007-11-28 06:42:00 · answer #5 · answered by The Reverend Soleil 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is paying it forward, I have been through some very rough times being in foster care, living in a tent or a car all of my life, and I would not have made it if it were not for the few do-gooders that I have encountered through out my life. So I pay it forward when I can.
2007-11-28 06:40:23 · answer #6 · answered by lady_of_the_stars97412 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist I perform random acts of kindess on a regular basis. You see even somebody with no religion has appreciation for a smile-a thank you.
2007-11-28 06:39:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
For about a month, my boyfriend and I were homeless. During that time, I learned how much small, random acts of kindness can mean to someone else.
2007-11-28 06:39:28 · answer #8 · answered by Marissa: Worker of Iniquity 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't really know why I do it. It's just something that's fun to do and it's so awesome to see people's faces...you know when they are caught off guard by the kindness. It's kind of an adrenaline rush ( I know really strange)
2007-11-28 06:38:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First: I love others because Christ first loved me.
Second: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Third: My mother would kick my but if I ever passed up the opportunity to be kind to someone in need.
2007-11-28 06:39:44 · answer #10 · answered by Consider_This 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically a genetic pre-disposition to reciprocal altruism.
2007-11-28 06:40:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋