Focus On The Family Lays Off 30

[DeSwiss]

Focus On Family Lays Off 30

POSTED: 6:46 am MDT September 12, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Focus on the Family is laying off 30 employees and reassigning 15 others, due in part to a drop in projected revenue and to growth in technology. Most of the layoffs are in the department that answers mail and telephone requests, while the reassignments were prompted by growth in e-mail and Internet-based communications, said Gary Schneeberger, vice president of communications for the conservative Christian ministry.

The layoffs announced Monday represent about 3 percent of the work force of 1,205. The changes take effect Sept. 21, before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Focus President and CEO Jim Daly said the nonprofit organization's revenue was projected to rise $1 million in fiscal 2006-2007 from the previous fiscal year, but the increase wasn't enough to offset inflation.

"Our budget was fairly aggressive. The projected budget was $150 million. It looks like it will come in about $8 million under, at $142 million," Schneeberger said. Dobson has said on several of his radio shows that donations have fallen.

Many churches and parachurch organizations are seeing decreases in income, especially amid economic woes and the housing downturn, according to Terry Gorka, head administrator at The Barna Group, a California-based research organization that tracks Christian ministries. Severance packages for laid-off employees will include contributions to health care, job-placement assistance and financial compensation.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14096305/detail.html

*** - This is one trend in unemployment that I would like to see expand.

[bunkerbuster1]

1. And may those employees go and sin no more.

As for the remaining 1,205 who support this evil enterprise--fuck you. All of you. Every one.

[Donnachaidh]

2. so why didn't the heads of these programs take a cut in pay to keep folks working?

after all, that would be the *christian* thing to do, wouldn't it? Especially in light of the *economic woes* they seem to have suddenly realized is happening? :nopity:

[Sherman A1]

3. Well,

As much as we all dislike Focus on the Family (and it's messages of hate) , I still hate to see folks lose their jobs. I am sure that they needed the work just like we all do and this will be a hardship on them. Hopefully they will get something soon and Yes, it would be nice if the big dogs would do "The Christian" thing and take some pay cuts to help out the ones on the bottom, but we all know that G** wants them to be rolling in cash and have no worries.

[DeSwiss]

7. As much as I'd generally agree with you....

....about the loss of jobs, these people are part of the network that enables the message of hate and division that is central to this origanization's existence. The organization that they worked for has always been a strong supporter of, and communicator for the traitor who now sits in the WH and who is responsible for so many lives being wasted.

They answered the phones that talked little old ladies out of their social security money, and then and processed it all into neat little piles so it could be given to the madmen and woman in this organization. And so that they could help elect and then influence politicians into implementing polices and laws filled with hate, division and discrimination. I'm sorry, but I can't feel any sympathy for these people....

[Lint Head]

4. These liars use the name of Jesus as a selling point.

It's nothing more than greed. "I pray that little baby Jesus will restore these jobs. Their families need this money to continue to live there lives as supporters of this great greedy cause. More Evangelists need green fees and boat payments and money for prostitutes. Oh, please don't forget that vacation home at Hilton Head, SC. Amen." :dem:

[marmar]

5. I guess the Batshit Crazy Anti-Gay Freakazoid business isn't what it used to be....

:nopity:

[Heidi]

28. Now _that_ would be good news! (nt)

[Jacobin]

6. My favorite bumper sticker of all time:

"Focus on your own damn family"

[DeSwiss]

8. Well, that's close to mine....

[here_is_to_hope]

21. I like yours better...my SO still

rues the day he came home with one of Dr. Evil's 'family values' books...he didnt know any better...but I did!

[LiberalFighter]

9. They need more letters, calls and emails to keep them busy.

And increase their expenses.

[madokie]

11. If I thought for a second it would wash off I'd spend my days calling them

and sending letters for the reasons you state

[LiberalFighter]

13. Send them circular letters, emails, and phone calls

Well it would be all time consuming for us too.

But if you subscribe to their emails or subscribe a fake email that would require time for them to figure it out. If you subscribe for real and they visibly include others in the list then you could do a reply all. Or you could email them a book that would fill up their account.

But the problem with most of these tactics is that they take time out of our lives.

[NMMNG]

10. May they all be laid off

They're good for nothing but spreading misinformation and fostering hate.

[DeSwiss]

18. But I'm sure...

..they'll keep the "De-Gayifier Division" open. Since Ted, those guys are putting in a lot of overtime these days....

[Arugula Latte]

12. Obviously they shoulda prayed harder to their nonexistent deity. nt

[DeSwiss]

17. There he goes....

moving in those "mysterious ways" again....

:rofl:

[Arugula Latte]

19. Ours is not to question

or wonder
or think rationally
or connect the dots ...

:D

[stanwyck]

14. Time to replay my favorite FOTF quote

My husband and I were driving south from Atlanta to Calloway Gardens and had a local radio station on that was playing the syndicated Focus on the Family broadcast. The subject was creationism vs. evolution. And the smug featured guest was holding forth how creationism was really catching on with more and more Americans who were avidly disavowing the unGodly theory of evolution. In fact, creationism was "really gaining inertia."
We were laughing so hard we ran off the road just a little. We spent the rest of the weekend "gaining inertia" as we slowly walked around the gardens and indulged in numerous naps.

[DeSwiss]

16. Somehow....

...the idea of "inert and FOF" just seems to go together. Wouldn't you agree? :D

[stanwyck]

24. Yes.

especially inert gasses.

[philosophie_en_rose]

15. "We're outsourcing our condescension overseas."

:)

[DeSwiss]

20. Hooking up with the Taliban, are they??? :-) n/t

:D

[NMMNG]

23. They *are* the Taliban

The Christian version, anyway.

[Javaman]

22. I wonder how those morons that were layed off now feel about the

wonderful economy dumped on us by saint moron*?

[johnfunk]

25. 30 more members of the "Lucky Duckies" caucus

It was awfully funny when righties were dubbing those in poverty -- but given the recent spate of layoffs in the mortgage and christianist scam industries, I cam't help but feel a tad ferklemt with schadenfreude...

[johnfunk]

26. One other thing: Hey, Dobson, focus on your OWN f$#@ing family!

[Katherine Brengle]

27. w00t

I wonder if they'll collect unemployment...

[Heidi]

29. They'll have to find reality-based jobs.

That's hard when all you have is alternative-universe experience.

[napi21]

30. Hmmm, couldn't be that they've just pushed their opinions too hard

and turned OFF a whole lot of people, now could it?

I happen to think THAT'S really what's going on here. I know I was happy letting them believe what they wanted UNTIL they got
Shrub in the WH who helped them push their agenda on ME! I used to be a moderatly religious person, but after the last 6 years, I find myself having a partucularly adverse reaction when I hear anything about any religion now.

Contrary to their intent, their strong efforts have produced the exact opposit results!

[wtmusic]

31. Someone's not praying hard enough nt