Not picking up hitch hikers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Holly3278
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
H

Holly3278

Guest
Hey everyone. Last week I had the opportunity to pick up a hitch hiker on my way home from swimming with my family. It was a woman who appeared to be harmless. It was a pretty hot day and I felt bad about not picking her up. However, my family and my boyfriend have all told me not to do it because it can be so dangerous. So, I just passed her on by. I feel like I should have at least stopped and offered her a Gatorade or something. Did I commit a sin? I felt guilty about this the entire way home and still do.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. Last week I had the opportunity to pick up a hitch hiker on my way home from swimming with my family. It was a woman who appeared to be harmless. It was a pretty hot day and I felt bad about not picking her up. However, my family and my boyfriend have all told me not to do it because it can be so dangerous. So, I just passed her on by. I feel like I should have at least stopped and offered her a Gatorade or something. Did I commit a sin? I felt guilty about this the entire way home and still do.
Click to expand...
While I am not a priest, I’d say you have not sinned. You had a valid concern in your mind. You never know if someone is in fact harmless. ICXC NIKA
 
There was no sin here. It’s prudent not to give rides alone to people you don’t trust. If you had someone else with you in the car, it might have been safer, but there is no guarantee. One thing someone told me was to call the police to give that person a safe ride to their destination, they are here to protect *and * serve. 🙂

If nothing else, you could always offer them a bus ticket.
 
I wouldn’t say you commited a sin. You did not the intentions of the person probably was harmless but you never know.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. Last week I had the opportunity to pick up a hitch hiker on my way home from swimming with my family. It was a woman who appeared to be harmless. It was a pretty hot day and I felt bad about not picking her up. However, my family and my boyfriend have all told me not to do it because it can be so dangerous. So, I just passed her on by. I feel like I should have at least stopped and offered her a Gatorade or something. Did I commit a sin? I felt guilty about this the entire way home and still do.
Click to expand...
I very much doubt that it was sin. I’m quite wary of hitchhikers. Usually you have to worry about violence on your part, whether or not they have a concealed weapon. However this isn’t necessarily the only worry.

While taxis drivers and people who pickup hitchhikers are different, this story is relevant.

A taxis driver from my area picked up some young women late at night and was driving them home, when they arrived at the location, the taxi driver asked for his fare, however, one woman started accusing him of trying to rape her and her friend was going to attest to it. It was only through the recording system in the taxi that the taxi driver was able to prove his innocence.

So it’s not just violence you have to worry about, it’s also liability.

-Prophecy
 
a man who worked for my dad picked up a seemingly harmless couple. They looked ok- non threatening, weren’t seeming to be asking for a ride. ( Didn’t have a thumb out). He stopped and was later found with over 20 knife wounds.

In the summer time I sometimes keep a cooler with bottled water and if I pass someone whose car seems broken down or flat tire and seem to be waiting, I may stop and offer water. But even then only if they are on the side of a busy road.

Any time I don’t feel safe, I don’t stop. But I’ll call 911 to make sure help gets to them.
 
raaucoin said:
a man who worked for my dad picked up a seemingly harmless couple. They looked ok- non threatening, weren’t seeming to be asking for a ride. ( Didn’t have a thumb out). He stopped and was later found with over 20 knife wounds.

In the summer time I sometimes keep a cooler with bottled water and if I pass someone whose car seems broken down or flat tire and seem to be waiting, I may stop and offer water. But even then only if they are on the side of a busy road.

Any time I don’t feel safe, I don’t stop. But I’ll call 911 to make sure help gets to them.
Click to expand...
Defending yourself in a car is immensely difficult. Especially if you’re the driver. The person you’re dealing with is likely buckled into their seat, you have to concentrate on driving. There isn’t really a way to escape the situation either. It’s pretty nasty really.

-Prophecy
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. Last week I had the opportunity to pick up a hitch hiker on my way home from swimming with my family. It was a woman who appeared to be harmless. It was a pretty hot day and I felt bad about not picking her up. However, my family and my boyfriend have all told me not to do it because it can be so dangerous. So, I just passed her on by. I feel like I should have at least stopped and offered her a Gatorade or something. Did I commit a sin? I felt guilty about this the entire way home and still do.
Click to expand...
I never pick up hitchhikers. It not an issue of being uncharitable but rather a matter of safety.
Serial killers are always people you would least expect to be like that.
 
Not to be a jerk or anything, but (here is where I’m going to be a jerk) that doesn’t seem to jive all that well with the teachings of Jesus:

It seems to me that there is a pretty famous parable about this exact type of situation. Also, in the Gospels, Jesus seems pretty much into the whole help your neighbour motif. He also seems to suggest that had you been harmed, you would have been all the more blessed because you were harmed in the name of righteousness.

However, since I’m not in the business of getting young women harmed or killed, I think you made the right call.
 
Sideline said:
Not to be a jerk or anything, but (here is where I’m going to be a jerk) that doesn’t seem to jive all that well with the teachings of Jesus:

It seems to me that there is a pretty famous parable about this exact type of situation. Also, in the Gospels, Jesus seems pretty much into the whole help your neighbour motif. He also seems to suggest that had you been harmed, you would have been all the more blessed because you were harmed in the name of righteousness.

However, since I’m not in the business of getting young women harmed or killed, I think you made the right call.
Click to expand...
I think that it does jive with the teachings of Jesus. Is it better for one person to receive a driver or for a family to have a father/mother?

-Prophecy
 
Prophesy said:
I think that it does jive with the teachings of Jesus. Is it better for one person to receive a driver or for a family to have a father/mother?

-Prophecy
Click to expand...
That’s a fairly modern secularist take don’t you think? Jesus never at any point hinted that one should absent themselves from being charitable for the sake of one’s family. He really emphasized the “treasures in heaven”, and never said anything remotely similar to what you just said. I’m just saying.
 
Sideline said:
That’s a fairly modern secularist take don’t you think? Jesus never at any point hinted that one should absent themselves from being charitable for the sake of one’s family. He really emphasized the “treasures in heaven”, and never said anything remotely similar to what you just said. I’m just saying.
Click to expand...
I’d not call it modern or secularist. But is one more likely to help others cultivate treasures in heaven by being a father/mother or by giving a person a lift?

-Prophecy
 
In a situation like this I think you need to think of your safety first. Not only could she have inflicted bodily harm, but you never know, she could make allegations you tried to rape her. Unfortunately those are the times we live in, people are sue happy.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t help at all. Like the posters above mentioned you could have given her a drink, bus fare, called her a cab and given her cab fare. I know its hard, and I battle this myself and sometimes after the moment has passed I think of something I could have done to help. God doesn’t expect any of us to bat 1.000 but hopefully you used this as a learning experience and next time the situation presents itself you’ll be ready.
 
Prophesy said:
I’d not call it modern or secularist. But is one more likely to help others cultivate treasures in heaven by being a father/mother or by giving a person a lift?

-Prophecy
Click to expand...
How about by following the words of Jesus. While he did not condemn the ones that past by, He did say of the one who showed mercy, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37
 
Prophesy said:
I’d not call it modern or secularist. But is one more likely to help others cultivate treasures in heaven by being a father/mother or by giving a person a lift?

-Prophecy
Click to expand...
From my understanding of Jesus’ teachings, it would really depend on what it is that God calls you to do. God often requires sacrifices of people… at least according to the Bible and church teaching.

Still, for the record, I’m not in favour of people putting themselves in danger. I’m totally in the camp of calling a cab or police for them; with the window mostly rolled up; and the car door locked. Unless the person is in immediate need of first aid of course, but even then I wouldn’t jump out of the car unless it seems safe to do so.

My questions or statements should in no way be taken as advice to get oneself killed or injured.
 
Sideline said:
Still, for the record, I’m not in favour of people putting themselves in danger. I’m totally in the camp of calling a cab or police for them; with the window mostly rolled up; and the car door locked. Unless the person is in immediate need of first aid of course, but even then I wouldn’t jump out of the car unless it seems safe to do so.

My questions or statements should in no way be taken as advice to get oneself killed or injured.
Click to expand...
As a matter of fact, I am going to drop out of this thread. I really don’t want someone to do something stupid in the name of holiness.
 
Sideline said:
Still, for the record, I’m not in favour of people putting themselves in danger. I’m totally in the camp of calling a cab or police for them; with the window mostly rolled up; and the car door locked. Unless the person is in immediate need of first aid of course, but even then I wouldn’t jump out of the car unless it seems safe to do so.
Click to expand...
I don’t think that you need to drop out of the thread. This piece of advice here is a perfectly charitable act that provides care for both parties.

-Prophecy
 
Holly, I recently saw a hitch hiker and contacted the police to check him out. He turned out to be armed and had outstanding warrents for violent crimes. No it is not a sin NOT to pick up a hitch hiker in today’s climate, it is in fact being wise not to do so.
 
i know of a situation where someone picked someone up on a country road and gave ride to next town. Unfortunately, the person turned out to be a underage runaway-didnt look like it - mind you. Person was charged with a crime for picking up hitchhiker because next town was across county lines.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top