(October 23, 2016 at 1:54 pm)chimp3 Wrote:(October 23, 2016 at 1:37 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: This is correct. They make an average of $33k a year.
Which is why I think it's silly to call them parasites. I'm sure the vast majority of them could make much more money and live a much more lucrative lifestyle by doing something else.
My husband always wanted to be a pilot ever since he was 6 years old. But he went through a phase during high school (before we dated) where he seriously considered being a priest. Obviously it wasn't for the sake of being a greedy parasite, since he knew he'd make much more $$ as a pilot. It was for the genuine desire to be of service to those who would need it.
My good friend Brad had a very similar story. Brilliant kid. Got straight A's in high school, super smart, and went to school for dentistry to make a ton of $$ like his dad. But some time during his first year of school, he decided he wanted to serve others as a protestant minister instead. They make more $$ than priests but still not much, usually at least. He's a pastor at a church in North Carolina now and lives an extremely humble life.
Labeling these people parasites is offensive to who they are as people and so extremely off the mark.
What a goal for a young man in the prime of his life! Become a eunuch that spreads fairy tales to gullible adults.
He majored in psychology before going on to seminary school and specializes in counseling with children and families going through rough times. As a pastor, this comes as no extra pay from them.
He chose to give up a career that would make him lots of money to do what he believes in with all his heart and what he truly thinks will bring great service to others. I get you don't have the same beliefs, but it's a shame you can't appreciate something like that, even on a level of principle.
Incidentally he's actually been told the same condescending remarks by 2 close friends he had growing up. Both of which are atheist.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh
