# When humanitarian behavior is criminalized... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2019, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-humanitarian-behavior-is-criminalized/835420 "2019-06-12T11:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Woofdogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Woofdogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woofdogs)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-humanitarian-behavior-is-criminalized/835420/81 "2019-06-15T18:03:36Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Every time someone talks about voting Christian values, I point to stuff like this. Jesus was very clear about how to treat those in need, especially travelers. > > Laws that forbid moral behavior should never be enforced. I absolutely agree with you and I have often advanced this very argument. The answer I always get is “Yes, BUT…” Anyone can call themselves a Christian, but if you don’t follow Christ’s precepts to the very best of your ability then you are NOT a Christian, say what you will. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalMaineiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-humanitarian-behavior-is-criminalized/835420/82 "2019-06-16T02:02:10Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Even if these people were somehow the enemy, offering your enemy food and water is the right thing to do. Only a sociopath worries about allegiances when it comes to helping the sick and dying. Indeed! If one sees a fellow human being in distress—especially in extreme climates, like the middle of a desert—one offers such assistance as one is able to offer. Failure to do so makes one a rather shitty human being. I guess we’re not supposed to offer help unless it’s to the right kinds of people these days. But I’ve never made a habit of conducting background checks on people before offering to help, so how am I supposed to know who is worthy of being treated as a human being and who am I supposed to treat like dirt? Like, if I go ice fishing on [Long Lake](https://www.google.com/maps/@47.1849687,-68.1646991,11.5z) in the dead of winter, and see a Canadian fall through some thin ice, am I to inquire of his immigration status before I try to pull him out of the water and take him someplace to get warm? After all, Canadians are notorious visa overstayers ([cite](https://www.latintimes.com/canadian-immigrants-lead-world-illegal-us-visa-overstays-according-first-ever-dhs-367906)). Or perhaps all would be forgiven, since a typical French Canadian would have the “correct” skin color. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-humanitarian-behavior-is-criminalized/835420/83 "2019-06-16T11:37:31Z")
Next up: Were the authorities too soft on people who violated the Fugitive Slave Act through their so-called “Underground Railroad” known safe spaces. ---
**Author:** ![GreenHell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-humanitarian-behavior-is-criminalized/835420/84 "2019-06-17T09:59:51Z")
After taking my oath of service, in which I gave my solemn word to fight, die, or even kill to protect the values espoused in the U.S. Constitution and the citizens of this nation, I was educated on a moral responsibility to render needed medical care to all those in need, regardless of uniform or flag. Meaning our troops, enemy troops, non-uniformed combatants, civilians, terrorists, and mercenaries alike. It would scarcely cross my mind that rending medical or nutritive aid to any person would be criminal. Of course, my opinion of the culture and leadership of this country has been significantly degraded in the years since then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-humanitarian-behavior-is-criminalized/835420.md?page=4)