Planned Parenthood internship

[minorsecond]

Well,
My girlfriend (who is “Catholic”, if you remember my previous post about her) is getting ready to graduate from college (with a major in English, minor in women’s studies. She’s going to go to grad. school for women’s studies) in a year or so, and is looking at internships. She told me that she came across one at Planned Parenthood that she thinks looks good and that she is really hoping to get it. I have stayed out of it, but her father doesn’t seem to like the idea at all but she has told me something along the line of “if he doesn’t want to support his daughter, so be it…”

Anyway, I am just looking for some (name removed by moderator)ut as to whether working at Planned Parenthood could be considered “bad” or not, and some things I could discuss with her if it is.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Well,
My girlfriend (who is “Catholic”, if you remember my previous post about her) is getting ready to graduate from college (with a major in English, minor in women’s studies. She’s going to go to grad. school for women’s studies) in a year or so, and is looking at internships. She told me that she came across one at Planned Parenthood that she thinks looks good and that she is really hoping to get it. I have stayed out of it, but her father doesn’t seem to like the idea at all but she has told me something along the line of “if he doesn’t want to support his daughter, so be it…”

Anyway, I am just looking for some (name removed by moderator)ut as to whether working at Planned Parenthood could be considered “bad” or not, and some things I could discuss with her if it is.

What does Catholicism mean to her? I would ask her how working with Planned Parenthood furthers that.

 

[Spirithound]

Anyway, I am just looking for some (name removed by moderator)ut as to whether working at Planned Parenthood could be considered “bad” or not, and some things I could discuss with her if it is.

Unless she’s going in as an “undercover pro-life counsellor”, yes, it is a very bad thing. PP is the largest provider of abortions in the US, probably the world. They should be shunned at every possibility, except prayer.

Ask her how this internship is going to further her career. Then think about your future children.

 

[Bluegoat]

I guess part of the question is what she sees as her purpose in being there. They are clearly an organization against many ideas that Catholicism embraces. They also provide help for many women in difficulty, although not always what the Church would recommend. Working there would certainly give her exposure to women undergoing a specific kind of crisis - for example, she would meet women who had decided to get an abortion, or seek out and use ABC. In order to meet such women, she might feel she should go to where they are.

But it seems to me it could put her in a difficult position.

 

[estesbob]

Well,
My girlfriend (who is “Catholic”, if you remember my previous post about her) is getting ready to graduate from college (with a major in English, minor in women’s studies. She’s going to go to grad. school for women’s studies) in a year or so, and is looking at internships. She told me that she came across one at Planned Parenthood that she thinks looks good and that she is really hoping to get it. I have stayed out of it, but her father doesn’t seem to like the idea at all but she has told me something along the line of “if he doesn’t want to support his daughter, so be it…”

Anyway, I am just looking for some (name removed by moderator)ut as to whether working at Planned Parenthood could be considered “bad” or not, and some things I could discuss with her if it is.

I am appalled that a Catholic would even consider such a thing. i wont even prpeare tax returns for people who have income from Abortion providers-I cant imagine dating someone who did!

 

[Windmill]

As mentioned above, by working at a PP facility she will be placed in many ethical and moral dilemmas that she will be unable to get out of. Abortions, birth control, sterilizations - and more. If she were to voice the Catholic message of Life, she would almost certainly be removed form the internship. Remaining silent would give a consent and approval in the eyes of the PP workers. Not only that, but she may be considered an accomplice in abortions by her implicit approval. We all know what that means, canonically. It’s a Catch-22 she’s walking into.

The objective gravity of the decision is compounded by the fact that she is not being forced to choose this particular internship. She can choose *now *to do something else rather than get in too deep at PP and regret it later. I’m not saying that those who already work for PP are off the hook. Far from it. If their Catholic consciences are awakened, they must make hard decisions and leave their jobs. That’s a difficult thing to do, and God’s grace is always there, but why put yourself in this situation in the first place?

Frankly, she is stepping into a dark world that is dominated by a demonic being who is, by nature, much stronger than she is.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

As mentioned above, by working at a PP facility she will be placed in many ethical and moral dilemmas that she will be unable to get out of. Abortions, birth control, sterilizations - and more. If she were to voice the Catholic message of Life, she would almost certainly be removed form the internship. Remaining silent would give a consent and approval in the eyes of the PP workers. Not only that, but she may be considered an accomplice in abortions by her implicit approval. We all know what that means, canonically. It’s a Catch-22 she’s walking into.

The objective gravity of the decision is compounded by the fact that she is not being forced to choose this particular internship. She can choose *now *to do something else rather than get in too deep at PP and regret it later. I’m not saying that those who already work for PP are off the hook. Far from it. If their Catholic consciences are awakened, they must make hard decisions and leave their jobs. That’s a difficult thing to do, and God’s grace is always there, but why put yourself in this situation in the first place?

Frankly, she is stepping into a dark world that is dominated by a demonic being who is, by nature, much stronger than she is.

There is also the issue of scandal.

Those who know her and know her to be a Catholic can be scandalized as well as thinking that as a Catholic there is nothing objectable about Planned Parenthood and what it does.

 

[ProVobis]

I have to agree with those who feel it is morally wrong to support Planned Parenthood in pro abortion or pro birth control in any way. But what about quitting another organization which contributes to PP? Or how about using any products that this organization might produce? Don’t forget that Microsoft contributes quite a bit to PP and we’re all using Microsoft software in one way, shape, or form. Where do we draw the line with our jobs or recreation?

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I agree with the posters who say that she should stay away from this internship. Ask her what specifically ‘looks good’ about this one and see if you can steer her to other opportunities to get the same experiences without the immoral surroundings.

As to questions about groups that support PP through contributions, etc., there are definately some people who would be against using microsoft for example because of that. Others will look at issues like other groups supported by that corporation, level of support, if the contributions come directly from the corporation or are from the employees, those sorts of things.

I think we can all see a difference in direct interaction with PP as an intern and 3rd or 4th hand support through buying a morally-nuetral service (PC software) from a company that may make a contribution to an organization like PP among others.

 

[Joe_5859]

Well,
My girlfriend (who is “Catholic”, if you remember my previous post about her) is getting ready to graduate from college (with a major in English, minor in women’s studies. She’s going to go to grad. school for women’s studies) in a year or so, and is looking at internships. She told me that she came across one at Planned Parenthood that she thinks looks good and that she is really hoping to get it. I have stayed out of it, but her father doesn’t seem to like the idea at all but she has told me something along the line of “if he doesn’t want to support his daughter, so be it…”

Anyway, I am just looking for some (name removed by moderator)ut as to whether working at Planned Parenthood could be considered “bad” or not, and some things I could discuss with her if it is.

Look into the life and writings of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger. If that doesn’t send her running the other way, I don’t know what will!

I googled “Margaret Sanger quotes” and came upon this website: dianedew.com/sanger.htm. Truly frightening.

 

[minorsecond]

She’s really into feminism and, while I don’t see gender equality as a bad thing at all, I know there are many ideas behind the feminist movement that are against the church’s teachings. From what she has told me, she likes to pick and choose what she believes. She has told me that she doesn’t think that abortion is bad, and as I said in another post of mine, she doesn’t think pre-marital sex is bad either. She has also told me that she doesn’t believe it necessary for us to confess to a man because it’s none of her business.

This really bugs me. I have been praying for her to get back into the church for a long time. I just don’t know what to do.

 

[kage_ar]

She’s really into feminism and, while I don’t see gender equality as a bad thing at all, I know there are many ideas behind the feminist movement that are against the church’s teachings. From what she has told me, she likes to pick and choose what she believes. She has told me that she doesn’t think that abortion is bad, and as I said in another post of mine, she doesn’t think pre-marital sex is bad either. She has also told me that she doesn’t believe it necessary for us to confess to a man because it’s none of her business.

This really bugs me. I have been praying for her to get back into the church for a long time. I just don’t know what to do.

Do some reading over at Feminists For Life, then, point her there -

feministsforlife.org/

 

[timcri]

Save yourself alot of grief. Break up with her. Pray the rosary, and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary for guidance for finding a good spouse…you’ll be amazed by Mary’s response, and you’ll be stunned at what a truly good woman can do!

 

[hosemonkey]

Save yourself alot of grief. Break up with her. Pray the rosary, and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary for guidance for finding a good spouse…you’ll be amazed by Mary’s response, and you’ll be stunned at what a truly good woman can do!

I concur. Firstly, any course title with the word “studies” in it is probably bogus and of no academic merit ie: “Black studies”, “women’s studies” etc. Very few ligitimate scholars take these courses or majors seriously. Secondly, her mindset seems to militate against the kind of marriage and family that you would like to build. To even have to inquire about the ligitimacy of Planned Parenthood tells me that both her “Catholicism” and her morals are suspect.

 

[Mommomamats]

It is terrible… but perhaps such an experience will finally open her eyes.

Seeing first hand the horrors of an abortion mill has been known to change people.

 

[Onegin]

I went to graduate school with a “Catholic” girl that was also a women’s studies major. That’s probably where she’s getting most of her ideas about morality - Even the mainstream Catholic schools (Loyola, etc) are teaching this junk. The professors teach you that you can view your faith in “light of modern understanding” etc, and eventually students are able to rationalize calling themselves Catholic while believing abortion is A-OK. Like poison, if you ingest it slowly enough, you won’t begin notice it until you become ill.

The only advice I can proffer is to pray for her, pray the rosary, set a good example (but not budging from the truth or your faith) and, if necessary, end the relationship if it proves detrimental to your own faith.

The Planned Parenthood internship idea is 100% wrong. A Catholic cannot in good conscience support them as doing so is no less than material cooperation with evil.

That’s a very tough situation to be in, and I wish you all the best.

 

[kage_ar]

It is terrible… but perhaps such an experience will finally open her eyes.

Seeing first hand the horrors of an abortion mill has been known to change people.

Wallowing in sin is not a way to come to conversion - she needs to be guided away from this filth.

 

[st_lucy]

I will pray for you GF and all those lost and confused women in her situation.

I took a woman’s study when I was in college, it was nothing more then a man haters group and those few women who dared to stand up for our men got shot down really quick. It really did open up my eyes to the truth of the feminist agenda.

 

[Secret_Square]

I cannot imagine how it could be in any way justifiable for a Catholic to voluntarily choose to work for Planned Parenthood. The main purpose of the organization – its entire reason for existence – is to promote artificial birth control and abortion, two things absolutely against Catholic teaching. It would be comparable to a Jew signing up to work at a pork processing plant on Saturdays (their Sabbath).

It is true that many companies have connections to PP through corporate donations and the like, but that is incidental to what they do. Apple and Microsoft exist primarily to sell and produce computers, which is a morally neutral activity that Catholics can perform in good conscience. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. exist primarily to sell discount merchandise. Ford and GM exist to sell cars. Any financial support these companies may provide to Planned Parenthood or other pro-abortion groups is incidental to their mission, and the vast majority of jobs they offer would not involve promoting abortion in any way. A Catholic could work for such an organization in good conscience although they might want to look for better opportunities if possible with companies that have no connection whatever to the abortion industry.

 

[revert_jen]

…but her father doesn’t seem to like the idea at all but she has told me something along the line of “if he doesn’t want to support his daughter, so be it…”

When she was 5, and she wanted to run out into traffic but her father stopped her, was he “not supporting his daughter?” Human beings naturally view themselves in relation to those they spend a lot of time with. (Which is why (many years ago) I used to feel OLD at 22 because I was still living in a college town.) Now if your girlfriend doesn’t see anything wrong with abortion now, by the time she has spent an internship at Planned Parenthood she will be one of those people who think that some people (e.g. women with athletic scholarships, women whose babies might be disabled) have a positive duty to have abortions. Her father would like to save her from that. More power to him!

Anyway, you may want to think seriously about whether this is the woman for you. One of the great advantages for me of being a woman is that I KNOW that I don’t have any children who were murdered by abortionists. You (e.g. if you married her) could never know, one way or the other.

Both of you have my prayers.

–Jen