Helping those in need

Comments on Raymond Zhou's "The last good Samaritan? " (China Daily, October 20)

I commend you on your article. I believe your final statement/question regarding "detractors are saying people do good deeds for the money," is a very true statement that exists in some Western societies. I am a recent transplanted Canadian, now living and volunteering with International China Concern based in Changsha, Hunan. In the West, some individuals will only help others when there is some form of payment involved.

Not many are willing to help others just for the sake of helping. The Good Samaritan story is truly based on helping, respecting, treating others as we would have them treat us, and more importantly, doing for others what they may not be capable of doing for themselves.

Tanya Ponnan, Research & Project Development manager, International China Concern

via e-mail

In psychology, it is called "diffusion of responsibilty". The idea being that the larger the crowd, the less likely anyone will take the first step to help. It is assumed that "someone else will handle it". Sad but true. With this in mind, if you ever send someone to get help, send another person with him or her. This helps ensure that the person you sent will not change his or her mind and disappear.

As far as trying to be a good person and helping others, remember the old Western saying: "No good deed goes unpunished."

Frank

on China Daily website

Well, you know what Lao Zi said: "When decency waned, morality waxed, and when morality waned, people started to devise laws.

The rule of law is nothing new. Charity best be anonymous. No one knows who the Good Samaritan was. Do not turn good deeds into MPRs (Moral Property Rights), exclusive to your country, system, or religion. Or you will be violated.

Huaqiao

on China Daily website

Obviously, this is not a new topic. However, I have found as time goes on, Lei Feng is falling into oblivion gradually, let alone his decency, altruism and compassion. I think , on one hand, people take their own material profits into consideration too much in whatever they do. That more or less means they will brush aside what cannot bring them money. On the other hand, there indeed exists some good Samaritans as Raymond tells us, but they are not treated well, but wronged. If so, who dare lend a hand?

Cindy

on China Daily website

Act like you live in a world that rewards kindness, and you will find that you are living in that world.

Who is the "better" person? The "clever" one who helps no one because of fear of "trouble"? Or the "stupid" person who helps whoever is in need?

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Wang Yi

on China Daily website

(China Daily 10/25/2007 page11)