Now you see, this is homophobic, and it makes Christianity look bad, and I feel ashamed by association.

[kentonio]

TBH I'd be surprised if they didn't at least ask the questions, at least to make sure people knew what the job was.

I'm talking about Ben's supposed 'considerable experience' with it. Which makes absolutely no sense, unless he's been going around PP offices saying 'I'm totally opposed to abortion, can I volunteer to work for you please?'.

[MikeH]

What volunteer work could someone actually do at Planned Parenthood if they were anti-contraception and abortion? Nothing? So what's the point of them joining?

I don't think athiests or christians have any problem with distributing food to the poor.

[Ben Kenobi]

You have substantial experience of pro-Life people trying to volunteer for Planned Parenthood work and being turned away because of their Pro-Life beliefs?

Fairly substantial personal experience? Yes.

Have you gone completely mental?

Prithee hast thou asketh sava? "Often hath thee knave without will see within enow."

[MikeH]

Ben - why on earth would anyone who was Pro Life try and volunteer for Planned Parenthood, other than to try and damage it in some way? I really can't understand it.

[Ben Kenobi]

My googling, which you suggested I do, says she resigned.

Rarely is one given a choice between resigning and staying on. Can we really draw a distinction between someone given the choice to resign or be fired? We all know why they do this, btw in the corporate world. In both cases, I've spoken with the individuals personally. So I feel qualified to comment on what happened based on what they have told me. Now - it's certainly possible that they didn't tell the full truth. I can't assess that - I can only assess what they told me as true. And it fits what they have told me. Neither case seems unreasonable that they would be fired for their conduct.

[MikeH]

Reading between the lines :


Pro lifers are trying to get into Planned Parenthood to try and disrupt it / distribute propaganda to vulnerable women / create sensationalist anti-planned parenthood stories/leaks/attacks and Planned Parenthood is quite sensibly trying to prevent this from happening,

[kentonio]

Rarely is one given a choice between resigning and staying on. Can we really draw a distinction between someone given the choice to resign or be fired? We all know why they do this, btw in the corporate world.

Let me guess, you have 'considerable experience' of director level employment in the corporate world too?

[kentonio]

Reading between the lines :


Pro lifers are trying to get into Planned Parenthood to try and disrupt it / distribute propaganda to vulnerable women / create sensationalist anti-planned parenthood stories/leaks/attacks and Planned Parenthood is quite sensibly trying to prevent this from happening,

Seems likely.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben - why on earth would anyone who was Pro Life try and volunteer for Planned Parenthood, other than to try and damage it in some way? I really can't understand it.

There's a reason PP screens prolifers. And yes, I know of folks who have tried. That's why I brought it up in the first place as an example of an organization that has to be very careful with their volunteers. Arguing that Christians should not be equally careful makes no sense to me. It's got nothing to do with charity - everything to do with protecting the mission and staying true to the original goals.

I have no problem with a secular private charity that seeks to benefit the homeless. I think they serve a valuable need, and we need more services not fewer. Smaller organizations tend to be more responsive to local problems. I see it as a complement, not competition.

[Ben Kenobi]

Let me guess, you have 'considerable experience' of director level employment in the corporate world too?

I have some experience with non profits in administration. Not a ton of it but a little. I applied for a job which I was hoping to get as a lobbyist in Ottawa where I would have been the exec director. They wanted someone from Ottawa, but called me up twice after their hires were unsatisfactory. Mostly their concern was over pay given my relocation. I offered to cover relocation but we couldn't come to an agreement. I believe they have found a good fit. They wanted to pay me more than they could offer and felt that their offer was too low. It was strange negotiations...

[Ben Kenobi]

Charity and kindness speak for themselves. If Christians show themselves as kind and charitable, then they spread the word of god without speaking a word. If they did a little more of that, then they'd find people coming to them rather than having to try and force their beliefs on people who are just desperate to eat.

Well sure, but we also feel that there is great spiritual deprivation too. Again - I'm speaking from my own experiences here. And yes I have spoken and preached about the bible to folks like this before. It's been generally well received. I can't recall having an incident where someone has expressed anger towards me where I did so. Some of my other work, absolutely, but not this.

[MikeH]

Some of my other work, absolutely, but not this.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I do not have a problem with Religion sponsored food kitchens giving a sermon over dinner. It is part of their mission to spread the word...and what better way to reach the poor and downtrodden. It certainly isn't like they are saying you have to be baptized to eat.

Neither do I. Seems reasonable enough.

[kentonio]

Neither do I. Seems reasonable enough.

Then it isn't charity, it's a trade.

[Ben Kenobi]

Then it isn't charity, it's a trade

This is a bad thing?