If a stranger came up to you and you had money, asked for cash what would you do? Or a stranger wanting his problems fixed because he thinks you are smart. He did not offer to pay, but wants a free ride. Now in both instances, it seems like you are kind to give money freely or solve problems for free.
But the world is filled with suffering and you have just made an exception for no good reason, other than the person asked.
You helped someone you did not know, or did not know well, and you have no idea of this person's character at all.
There is not enough information to warrant the type of help you might give to someone you know well and respect.
Guilt trip comes when the person tries to plays politics, and laments that he is born stupid, poor etc. Granted these might be true but you still have no idea who this person is!
It is not practical to help someone just because of the two above reasons. You would exhaust yourself and then you would be the victime now after giving.
2007-12-03 14:14:10 · 17 answers · asked by thinkpp 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
If a stranger came up to me, I probably wouldn't talk to them, unless they were asking for directions etc.
2007-12-03 14:18:01 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ Sydd 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, personally I think I'm foolish every time I lend a helping hand to a fellow human being. I mean how stupid do I have to be to continually give a little bit of the lot I've been blessed with. God forbid if I actually help someone that was born poor, I would be such an idiot. What the hell am I thinking when I give a free ride to the family that lives up the street from me, that got stuck at the store, and I'm finished shopping and going that way anyway. I'm such a f*cking moron for being decent sometimes, geez.
2007-12-03 22:25:18 · answer #2 · answered by tumadre 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wonderful thoughtful question here...I suppose, on the basis of this, I had better be sure I only give to perfectly deserving people. This mindset is a real dilemma for those of us who have managed non-profits seeking to help the poor. Sure there are people out there who are going to take advantage. The point is are you going to use that as an excuse to not participate in pro-social behaviour? The news flash here is that giving to others is a need and enhances the quality of your life. You are never victimized by giving because your heart is in the right place. Give and let it go. That's what it's all about. As the mystics says....giving is an entirely selfish act!!! LOL
2007-12-03 22:30:00 · answer #3 · answered by teachpeacelove 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you asking a question--or are you giving an answer?
Why would I give money to someone I don't know who needs it? The same reason I would open my house to someone if they were homeless and asked me for a place to stay....for free. I would give them a bed, a bath, food, tv, and help them to find work and what they would need to take care of themself. Why would I do that? Because I have COMPASSION. Because it could be me asking for a room, or one of my kids. Because God calls me to help others when ever I can.
There is no guilt trip. There is no exhaustion. there is only a profound feeling of peace and goodness that you receive when you do something for someone else whether you know them or not.
Try it sometime!
2007-12-03 22:22:02 · answer #4 · answered by beatlemania 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are a Christian, you would not be a victim. If you showed the love of Christ to an undeserving person, you would have an eternal reward and the Lord would sort out the details and the judgment for how the person uses your kindness.
If you are not a Christian, why bother being kind? There is no rational reason at all.
2007-12-03 22:21:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we were small our father who was a minister took us someplace via skid row. A man walked up to us and said" Please Reverend I am hungery, Havn't eaten all day. Will you spare me a dollar. As children we were touched and began to pull our quarters from our pockets. Our father gave us "The look" meaning cease and desist. He said to the man. I will not give you money, but I will take you to that restaurant next door and pay for a meal. The man turned angrily away. That taught me a lesson. Giving people money may not solve a problem. Better to do what solves the problem in either instance.
2007-12-03 22:21:15 · answer #6 · answered by nutsfornouveau 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the security situation. At my place most people who do good samaritans either end up dead in the river, got raped, or stripped of all their possessions. If these people needed help, there are NGO's ready to help them. For people who want to help, supporting these NGO's is often the right thing.
2007-12-03 22:24:18 · answer #7 · answered by tax_e_vasion 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it truly about just being practical, or just being kind. Your just doing a good thing because you want to, it does matter why this person is in the situation. Be true to your self. Dont judge
2007-12-03 22:19:30 · answer #8 · answered by fayday32 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
And when we answer questions, this one or any one, for someone we do not know, in circumstances that we may not understand, are we helping or wasting our time? I believe, along with may people who answer questions, that we are possibly helping someone find an answer, even if it is not the answer that we give them.
2007-12-03 22:18:45 · answer #9 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if you're looking for an answer or a conversation starter. But I'm a Christian, and I believe that we're here to help others. I also know that God tells us to put others before yourself. So, my answer would be, if you're capable of helping, you should. But only if you're heart's in it, otherwise it's not worth it.
2007-12-03 22:18:18 · answer #10 · answered by reptileandee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋