mn@dscvax2.UUCP (Matt Noah) (04/01/85)
>> The fact is this: ACTIVE Pro-lifers get no money for their efforts. >> ACTIVE Pro-choicers make ALOT of money for their efforts. > >I'm not sure, but I bet that you >couldn't produce a paper (made by a neutral group) which would >substantiate the claim you made (above). > > In fact, I challenge you to substantiate it. If you can produce >a reference which I can verify, then I will vote pro-life in the next >election. If you can't, I will vote pro-choice. If a paper would change your mind for you I could write it very simply. My first step - totally unbiased - would be to survey abortion clinics to determine their profits. The workers there make what I would guess to be the average for people classified similarly. The physicians make more than normal from what I've heard/read. I believe it would be possible to ascertain the truth, regardless. My next step - totally unbiased - would be to survey sidewalk counselors, picketers, etc. i.e. people who are ACTIVE in the pro-life movement to determine what they make from begin pro-life. The bulk of the ACTIVE pro-life movement is in ordinary people who are exercising their first ammendment rights in a cause they believe in. The bulk of the ACTIVE pro-choice movement work at abortion clinics. One group makes no money, the other group does. I don't think my hypothetical survey will turn up results inconsistent with logic. Do you? >And, while you're at it: > > (1) Tell me how much Jerry Falwell (a VERY ACTIVE "anti-choicer") > makes. > (2) Tell me how much tax he pays. > (3) Tell me the percentage of clinic workers that are volunteers. I have no idea how much Falwell makes but I am sure that support for some of his causes comes from people donating to the pro-life movement. This is so of nearly all national leaders who depend on donations to further their causes, e.g. NOW, NAACP, PUSH. If the contention is that Falwell is pro-life so that he can make money, then it could also be argued that Jesse Jackson is pushing civil rights to make money. I can neither tell you how much anyone besides myself pays in taxes. Nor do I feel responsible for investigating this matter for you. If Falwell's taxes were to help convince you to be pro-life I can only say I wish I knew. I honestly don't know if there are any clinic workers who are volunteers. I don't see the payrolls but every person I see working the clinic appear to be full-time. >You can >snow the ignorant masses (and orgianized religion makes a good deal >of money doing it (1)), but you can't snow all of USEnet. > > -- Chris How dare you criticize organized religion by claiming that they "snow" the ignorant masses. It was religous and economic persecution that brought people to this country; the chance to practice their faith without fear of reprisal. Being Catholic, I can easily dismiss your claim as being ridiculous. The nuns and priests who educated me through high school took a vow of poverty and I saw how they lived their lives. They gave up many material possesions and many donated what little they had to the parishes they worked in and the poor of their community. They adopted prayerful, modest lives to set an example that material wealth is a hurdling block to spiritual richness. People believe in the Catholic church and donate money/time/effort to it. Great artists have rendered beautiful works reflecting their faith and helping to preserve it. Critics continually argue for the selling of the Church's treasures to aid the poor, etc. Yes, the Church is financially rich in some areas of the world. And yes, there are ingorant people who believe anything a trusted friend will tell them but please don't dismiss my - and other's religions - faith by declaring that we are being 'snowed' by preying clergy. Matt Noah