Whose Compassion

[Mindonfire]

I would like to know from the people who visit Renew America about their view on what constitutes compassion. Here is a short story with two questions. Feel free to answer them as you are led.


There is a well known addict who roams a particular neighborhood everyday begging for alms. One morning he walks up to a young man who resides in the neighborhood and begs for money. The young man talks to the addict for a while, but he refuses to give the addict any money and continues on his way. Some time later another young man who is on his way to work walks by. The addict walks up to him and begins to beg once again. The young man reaches into his pocket and gives the addict some money. The addict takes the money and goes on his way. That evening he is found dead from an overdose.

Now I have two questions.
Question #1 Who killed the addict ?
Question #2 Which one of the two men showed compassion?

[escalade5]

Now I have two questions.
Question #1 Who killed the addict ?
Question #2 Which one of the two men showed compassion?

#1 - The addict
#2 - Neither

[hannahsmom]

Interesting answer Jerry. I can understand your reasoning.

[escalade5]

Interesting answer Jerry. I can understand your reasoning.

We are all lucky enough to be born into a world where we can exhibit personal responsibility. At the end, we are responsible for ourselves (the addict). It is not for us to save him, we cannot without his help.
To show true compassion to the addict, we would have removed him from the place/situation where he could harm himself - and facilitate a cure. Anything else is just a delay or pointless. (and sad)

[hannahsmom]

To show true compassion to the addict, we would have removed him from the place/situation where he could harm himself - and facilitate a cure.

Agreed!!!

[Mindonfire]

Interesting answer Jerry. I can understand your reasoning.

We are all lucky enough to be born into a world where we can exhibit personal responsibility. At the end, we are responsible for ourselves (the addict). It is not for us to save him, we cannot without his help.
To show true compassion to the addict, we would have removed him from the place/situation where he could harm himself - and facilitate a cure. Anything else is just a delay or pointless. (and sad)

Good Day

So are you your brother's keeper?

[Jerry]

Interesting answer Jerry. I can understand your reasoning.

We are all lucky enough to be born into a world where we can exhibit personal responsibility. At the end, we are responsible for ourselves (the addict). It is not for us to save him, we cannot without his help.
To show true compassion to the addict, we would have removed him from the place/situation where he could harm himself - and facilitate a cure. Anything else is just a delay or pointless. (and sad)

Good Day

So are you your brother's keeper?

Nobody is. But we all can facilitate and help the individual.

remember - God helps them who helps themselves.

I try to do a Mitzvah at least once each day.
Do you?

[hannahsmom]

two words...good samaritan.

[Mindonfire]

Interesting answer Jerry. I can understand your reasoning.

We are all lucky enough to be born into a world where we can exhibit personal responsibility. At the end, we are responsible for ourselves (the addict). It is not for us to save him, we cannot without his help.
To show true compassion to the addict, we would have removed him from the place/situation where he could harm himself - and facilitate a cure. Anything else is just a delay or pointless. (and sad)

Good Day

So are you your brother's keeper?

Nobody is. But we all can facilitate and help the individual.

remember - God helps them who helps themselves.

I try to do a Mitzvah at least once each day.
Do you?

Where does it say in the scriptures that "God helps them who helps themselves" Please show me

[Jerry]

Interesting answer Jerry. I can understand your reasoning.

We are all lucky enough to be born into a world where we can exhibit personal responsibility. At the end, we are responsible for ourselves (the addict). It is not for us to save him, we cannot without his help.
To show true compassion to the addict, we would have removed him from the place/situation where he could harm himself - and facilitate a cure. Anything else is just a delay or pointless. (and sad)

Good Day

So are you your brother's keeper?

Nobody is. But we all can facilitate and help the individual.

remember - God helps them who helps themselves.

I try to do a Mitzvah at least once each day.
Do you?

Where does it say in the scriptures that "God helps them who helps themselves" Please show me

It doesn't. That does not mean you should not believe it to be true.
Nowhere in your personal version of the bible (scriptures) does it mention nuclear fission or that Phobos and Deimos are moons of Mars. They also are true and exist also.

[hannahsmom]

I have to jump in...I can't stand when people use the phrase; "God helps those who help themselves" and claim it's Biblical. It's a pet peave... I don't believe this. The God of the Bible helps those who are humbled and broken and who come to Him, and trust Him to help them.

[Jerry]

I have to jump in...I can't stand when people use the phrase; "God helps those who help themselves" and claim it's Biblical. It's a pet peave... I don't believe this. The God of the Bible helps those who are humbled and broken and who come to Him, and trust Him to help them.

I never once claimed it was biblical !
I even refuted the allegation.

[hannahsmom]

I didn't say you did, I just said I hate it when people in general say it...

[Jerry]

I didn't say you did, I just said I hate it when people in general say it...

gotchya,

sorry about being defensive!

[buddhaman]

I have to jump in...I can't stand when people use the phrase; "God helps those who help themselves" and claim it's Biblical. It's a pet peave... I don't believe this. The God of the Bible helps those who are humbled and broken and who come to Him, and trust Him to help them.

I never once claimed it was biblical !
I even refuted the allegation.

I always took that saying to mean that God doesn't pay off like winning the lottery. You've got to "walk the walk", not just talk the talk.

"Helping themselves" could be interpreted as "coming to Him", which would reconcile hannahsmom's views with the quote, ergo "God helps those who come to Him"... Just a thought. Personally, I believe that we're judged on our actions as much as our convictions.