The Duggars and CollegePlus

[sanantone]

Westerner, Don't you think encouraging you to read your bible and prayer are the Ministry of the Church you belong to as opposed to a paid for commercial company. I believe that it is your parents position (if you are under age) and your Pastors job to encourage you in your faith. While you make offerings at Church or Synagogue and so spiritual encouragement isn't necessarily free, If CP was a ministry and tax exempt and the $3,000 was a donation based on ability to pay then that may be different. Although non-religious people might not think so. CP goes from Church to Church selling their product, which to me is reaching a market that commercializes religion which in my opinion we have enough of already.
I almost signed up to CP but realized that I could do my own research. As Irish John mentioned I've spent a year on this forum and maybe I would have been better studying although I haven't handed over $3,000 to anyone either so CP does have a place for some people but let us consider the Reformation issue of selling indulgences which sparked controversy CP also courts controversy by mentioning in the promotional literature that they pray for you on the phone and encourage your spiritual life. Is CP only for those of Christian faith or will they pray to another God for those who believe in some other one. If its for Christians only then its commercializing the church and should be avoided, unless that's a principle one believes is both ethical and biblical which some people do. Another issue arises is the doctrines held by those talking to your Children on the phone, This effects how they may pray for them or what spiritual guidance may be given. Is it doctrine similar to the major Christian denominations or is it more TV evangelist style. My concerns with CP are their Influences on children and prayers while being paid to be on the phone.

I agree that religion has become commercialized. When that happens, people forget the true meaning of things. It is disconcerting that when someone brings up not charging to help people, they first think of slave labor instead of volunteerism and people donating from the goodness of their hearts. It is truly sad. Christmas has been commercialized, Easter has been commercialized, and now spiritual guidance has been commercialized. One of the worst days for drunk driving in my city is Easter! People think that Easter and Christmas are days to get drunk. Kids think that Christmas is Santa Claus and presents day. Easter is Easter Bunny, eggs, and candy day. Now, people think they should pay $3,000 for prayer, spiritual guidance, and degree planning that a minimum wage employee with a high school diploma can do in 1 hour.