Christian Charity or Just Plain Charity

     This afternoon I went to wash my dirty clothes. I've been needing to do this for a few days now and I'm on my last pair of clean panties. Okay, that is a little too much information, but seriously, it was time to wash some clothes. I've stayed in Cleveland before and there is a laundry mat that I go to every time I'm here. So I get there, I put my clothes on and as I"m enjoying my amazing, zero calorie, herbal tea, this older woman comes in and starts talking to the attendant on duty. They are obviously friends, and I can tell by the homemade pot roast being past along between them that they have been friends for a long while. I could not help myself, I commented on how wonderful the food smelled. As I am getting to know these two ladies the woman who walked in after me asks when the last time it was that I had a home cooked meal. Not five minutes later she had a Tupperware container filled with the delicious smelling pot roast, and put it in my hands. I did not know these two women, and the amazing kindness they showed me will not be forgotten.
     This event is making me think about charity and how all sorts of people are charitable. I am wondering why when I think of charity, I think of Christians. I am thinking that it is because as a Christian, I was directed to involve myself in charity a lot. Charity is after all, the love of Christ.  As an atheist, where does charity fit it? Is that something we do because, we would want others to treat us with the same kindness? Or is it something we do because, it is expected of us as human beings? Why as humans do we feel the need to help each other? Why is it "embedded" in our DNA to help those less fortunate than ourselves? I certainly don't need food or money from a stranger, but a stranger fed me because, she felt that it would bring me comfort. That to me is so touching and wonderful. I hope that I can show that kind of kindness to others as my life continues. As I think about the questions that I have asked in this post, I believe I will eventually come to some answer and maybe this is why our species is "higher" in intelligence than other animals. .

--Ashley C.