Do I have a conscience?

[Anonymous]

So this came up when me and my friends were driving around and passed a group of homeless people all huddled around on the floor on the sidewalk and each of my friends stopped to give some money to the homeless. One friend give them $100, another gave them $20, and all of my friends gave money to the homeless... except for me.

And then they asked me "why didn't you give money to the homeless? Don't you have a conscience?" And I was like I do have a conscience but I don't really give a shit about these people who most likely got themselves into this situation and probably blowing all the money people give them on drugs and none on food and water.

And my friends have been bugging me about this for more than a week talking about how I don't have a conscience and I'm like YES I HAVE A FUCKING CONSCIENCE!

One time I even tried to give food and water to some homeless people long ago in the past. Some clean unopened water bottles, some food, a mix of fruits and vegetables and meat just in case they're not allergic to at least one thing, and they rejected it and wanted money instead.

And then I see these same people who are allegedly struggling smoking all sorts of expensive drugs, pissing and shitting on the streets, harassing people who pass by, and overall doing nothing to improve their situation. And I'll say it again I don't give a shit about them.

So do I have a conscience? Are my friends right about me not having a conscience?

Yes I do have a conscience

No I don't have a conscience

[HollyK21]

I don’t think this is about consciousness, but morality and personal ethics, which in my opinion can be complex. You can care deeply for others and still choose not to give money to the homeless for personal reasons, like fears of enabling, or your own financial constraints. In any case, if I were you I’d either tell my friends to drop the topic or ask if there’s some deeper shit they’d like to air out. Because for them to collectively be dragging this topic out gives me the impression that there’s other situations that contribute to this overall opinion about you, they just haven’t spoken on it.

[Asker]

Thanks for the detailed answer. Yeah you are right, it is very complex. Fear of enabling and my own financial constraints are indeed my biggest reasons. Yeah I'll try to get them to drop the topic first but if that doesn't work I'll ask if there's some deeper shit they'd like to air out. Yeah it's indeed odd for them to be dragging this out so much.

[Nikki1989]

Your friends likely operate on the belief that giving to those in extreme poverty is a basic moral duty regardless of what the recipient does with the money.

After all, the recipient's choices don't erase the act of kindness.

[Anonymous]

If I ran into someone who was down on their luck and truly needed money for something worthwhile, they would have a conversation with me and explain that. And I would give them whatever they needed to get past the immediate crisis. The ones who are demanding money when you offer food don't deserve either.

[NathanDavis]

you do... what you don't have, that's a dollar to spare

[MrChinaski]

Your life is small.

Take a number.

You aren't special.

[Asker]

That's true I can't really deny that.

[exitseven]

you are a lot smarter than your friends.

[832dreamboy]

Did you vote for Trump all three times?

[Asker]

How is that relevant at all to me having a conscience?

[832dreamboy]

Trumpsters lack a conscience.

[Paige2006]

Yes I do

[Asker]

Uh I don't think you quite understood the question lol (that or I explained it badly). I meant it more as in do I have a conscience based on the stuff I wrote about not caring about homeless people.