Hitchhikers

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Doc_Thunder said:
S

Anyway, I’m not sure if personal stories belong in the “Moral Theology” forum, but this is only my third post, so maybe I can get a little slack.
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Personal stories are always nice.
Who knows if those guys were sent by God, but he knew they would come along and help with your direction.
I used to pick up female hitchhikers, but don’t any more – I don’t see many women hitching, and I’ve gotten older. If I were a healthy young man, I probably would on occasion, all depending on the situation.

If someone is in trouble by the roadside, you can always call emergency services.

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This does make you wonder if some of the people you see along the road thumbing, are angels or maybe even Jesus himself, in disguise, seeing who would stop and offer a ride or some type of assistance. They could also be that homeless person begging for spare change out in public.
 
I can remember the horror I felt hearing about a young woman in southern California hitchhiking in the Los Angeles area. She was picked up by a man who assaulted her, mutilated her (I can’t bring myself to mention details), and left her on the side of the road in the hills to die.

She was found before she died and survived. But she had to live with her disability for the rest of her life!

I was about ten (?) when this happened. My parents took this opportunity to drill into my head NEVER to hitchhike, and NEVER to pick up a hitchhiker.

But being the rebel I am…

When I was a 20-something living in Boulder, CO, I once saw a young woman holding a sign asking for a ride to NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) at the top of a long, steep road with no sidewalks. I pulled over and gave her a ride.

She asked me, “Why are you going up to NCAR today?” (There’s a museum and hiking trails up there, BTW.)

I told her I wasn’t going to NCAR but just decided to give a stranger a ride. It was only a mile or two and a beautiful drive.

She seemed surprised but thanked me.

BUT, before I picked her up, I did a quick assessment of the situation – and I do have some decent street smarts, as they say. I felt probably 90% certain there was no danger to me, but could be danger to her if somebody else picked her up.

OTOH, I also asked myself, “Would I be willing to die today if this scenario goes all wrong?”

I decided it was a highly populated area, and I had an escape plan – I would absolutely be willing and able to crash my car if needed to get away or get help.

The risk was very low in my estimation – and I had some decent street smarts! People who have led sheltered lives and don’t realize actual risks, or warning signs in a situation, or aren’t good at reading people, or trust people based solely on appearance – probably should NOT allow strangers into their car!

If you truly feel someone is in need of assistance, you can call a cab or call 911.

Are you prepared and willing to die today if this scenario goes all wrong?
 
Melodeonist said:
Every now and then I see a hitchhiker in town. I never would dream of picking one up because I have heard that they can be dangerous; However, in yesterday’s reading Jesus tells us to help the poor.

Now I understand that in Jesus’s day there were no such thing as hitchhikers. My question is this: Are we to pick up hitchhikers? This one has me quite confused. :confused:
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Would you rather die doing an act of charity or committing a mortal sin?
 
adamhovey1988 said:
Would you rather die doing an act of charity or committing a mortal sin?
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Why would that be the binary choice???!!!

Seriously, the hitchee doesn’t need to be armed, or of frightening build (or necessarily even male) to be a threat. Watch In Cold Blood.. When the culprit is about to throw the noose over the driver’s head, the fellow doesn’t even know how close he is to the end.

ICXC NIKA
 
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