THE PAY TO PRAY SCAM 1 Timothy 6:7 “For
we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People
who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many
foolish and harmful desires…… Written by: Angela Michael September 26th, 2011
After taking part in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils for almost three
years, we finally realize that it is ridiculous to make people pay
$197.00 to be a part of the 40 Days for Life Campaign. Understand, we
have been holding prayer vigils, and through the ultrasound van helping
moms and saving babies for almost 20 years on a daily basis, just like a
lot of other faithful pro-lifers across the United States. So, why would
we pay money to pray outside of an abortion clinic?
Now don’t get me wrong. We went into this with the best intentions
over three years ago with our first campaign. It’s always good to get
a multitude of prayer warriors outside facilities where children are
scheduled to die. However, charging money to do what our ministry has
been doing for two decades for FREE sounds more like a scam. For, the
only thing you get is access to the 40 Days main website and modules.
That’s all. No shirts, no banners, no signs. We had to pay extra for
all our materials, so another organization made money too.
The real reason for the “praying fee” appears to be, sadly, that
David Bereit, the National Director for 40 Days for Life, needs to make
a $94,000.00 salary, and
that Shawn Carney, campaign director, can collect $20,000.00
at last report.
When I questioned Mr. Carney about this he said, “40 Days for Life
spends $800.00 on each participant in the 40 Days for Life Campaign.”
If you multiply 1,500 participants by $800.00 that's $1.2 million. In
2009, they only reported taking in $400,000.00. Something smells fishy.
Question: has the pro-life movement become a bottomless money pit? A
modest salary would be okay, but $94,000.00 is ridiculous. If you need
to charge people to cover your expenses, that's fine, but to make an
outrageous salary like that is ludicrous.
That’s why if all abortion came to an end today, there would be
pro-lifers jumping off their buildings as they would be losing their
salaries, their social status, their titles, etc. Unfortunately, raising
money has become the pro-life movement’s main objective; they have
lost their focus. Instead of prevention, they are there to perpetuate
it.
I really failed to see how being bombarded with 40 Days e-mails
encouraging participation in webcast seminars on “how to raise more
funds for your pregnancy centers” saves babies scheduled to die at
the abortion facility. Most knowledgeable people have come to realize
that abortion-bound women are bypassing pregnancy centers and going
directly to abortion mills for help. This just reinforces how, sadly,
pro-life organizations as such have lost their focus, and it’s all
about making money.
Another instance is taking claim to closing abortions mills, which is a
great thing, but let’s give credit where credit is due. God does
indeed answer prayers, but there are other things that factor into the
closing of a lot of child killing facilities, not just 40 Days. For
instance, a lot of these abortion centers are losing federal funding and
the struggling economy is also playing a part. Also, it’s not as easy
to find abortionists anymore. Let’s face it: abortion is the red light
district of medicine and that’s a stretch. Most real, reputable
physicians don’t want to be associated with abortion or its industry.
Thus, it’s harder to find skilled baby killers. Anytime we see another
abortion clinic close it’s doors, it’s good; but to charge money to
do what all Christians should be doing for those without a voice...
well, that’s just plain wrong.
1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money
is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money have
wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
To support and encourage Daniel and Angela please contact them -
smallvictories@juno.com (email), 618-654-5800 (phone),
or write them Small Victories P.O. Box 143 Highland, IL 62249.