Non Fluffy Wicca

I wonder if people understand that acts of kindness are not perpetrated based solely on religion, or an externally imposed code of "morality." We've all heard many different opinions that religion (obviously the Christian religion is meant here) must be taught in schools, else our society will degrade to the point of anarchy.

So here we were today, leaving a doctor's appointment when a woman almost in tears asked us for help. Her older Ford was not starting, and she didn't know what to do. The woman was approximately 60 or so, wearing a prominent cross, with MANY anti choice stickers on her car, a Jesus fish, and a license plate proclaiming the Gospels. It would have been easy to say "screw off, Lady. You stand for things I don't agree with, so you can stand there crying all day long." But our internal gage of right vs. wrong said that there was no reason why we couldn't take the spare few minutes and help this poor woman out.

After a short primer on car batteries and electrical systems given while my wonderful Wessiepooh backed the car over and attached the jumper cables, the woman's car was started, and she was pleased. She told us she had prayed for help, and was just about to give up and start crying when we arrived. In retrospect, I should have said something to the effect of "what an interesting result to a prayer - a Witch arrives to assist you." Instead, we just smiled, and accepted her "God Bless Yous." On our way leaving, I said "Blessed Be" but doubt she recognized the phrase.

So, what would have happened if she had realized I was a Witch who was helping, not because someone told me I should, not because a book told me to, but because it was the "right" thing to do based on my own internal chronometer of "good." Would she have thought that perhaps it isn't "us vs. them?" Might she have considered that many different religions teach people how to think and do good things to help others, regardless of their religious affiliation? I would hope that indeed she will. That wasn't the reason why we stopped to help, but it would certainly be a nice bonus.