Herbert W Armstrong

We are currently conducting a pilot program in which some calls in response to "The WORLD TOMORROW" program are answered in private homes. WATS calls coming into the Pasadena Mail Processing Center can now be automatically diverted to a church member's residence by programming his home phone number into our recently acquired "automatic call distributor."

There are a number of potential benefits in having church members answer calls in their homes:

• Almost all calls could be handled by live operators, even with accelerated growth in telephone response.

• It provides many additional operators at practically no cost.

• More calls could be taken during periods of unusually high response.

• "In-home operators" could provide an emergency backup system in case a number of operators were ill or absent.

• It gives many additional members an opportunity to serve the Church in a direct way.

• It is much more convenient and less expensive for volunteers to serve in this way than drive long distances to Pasadena or Big Sandy.

Presently, operators participating in this pilot program are Mail Processing employees or volunteers who have been specially trained and serve on a regular basis. The same strict procedures followed in our WATS department are maintained for home calls.

As response to "The WORLD TOMORROW" program continues to climb, we foresee the possibility of setting up "in-home operator" systems in other cities across the United States. We'll keep you informed if the program proves to be successful and meets expected standards.

Abortion Article Evokes Heavy Response

As expected, the article on abortion in the May PLAIN TRUTH brought in a flood of letters. Many readers were shocked and deeply moved at how wide­spread the practice of abortion has become. While a few expressed contrary beliefs, the majority were very supportive and definitely agreed with the article. Following are some of the letters we received:

I congratulate you on the May 1985 abortion article. Your description of what commonly happens to a fetus in an abortion was the most gruesome, horrible thing I have heard described. But as unsettling as this is, people need to know. I would not even mutilate an animal like this, let alone a human. No creature deserves this sort of death .... Every time I read about abortion, I find the situation much more appalling and gruesome than I had ever previously imagined. And incidentally, I am a "feminist."
L.M. (Beverly Hills, CA)

For a good while after reading Mr. Toth's article on abortion in the May PLAIN TRUTH, my stomach did not want to settle down. That article should somehow be required reading for every man and woman, doctor and nurse. How long is God Almighty going to put up with such atrocious and abominable wickedness?
G.A. (Somerset, OH)

I am writing you concerning the article on abortion in the May issue of The PLAIN TRUTH. I am only twelve and some people may say that I'm too young to have an opinion on abortion.

Well, I think it is really wrong. Babies have a right to live just as you and I do, no matter how small they are. If their hearts beat, they're alive! The doctor who oversees an abortion is very guilty. God is against abortion. It says so in the Bible! And the Bible is all true.

Children can be a real blessing to a family. But there will be some women who will never know only because they went through with the abortion and let the doctor kill their own flesh and blood. I am glad that you stepped out and published an article like that. Keep up the good work!
P.B. (Ivyton, KY)

I have been reading your publication with interest but I found your article on abortion in this issue not to be filled with "understanding."... Population growth is the main cause of most of the world's economic and social problems. Each year we add more people than ever before and each year we have more starvation, malnutrition, and wars.

Crusading against abortion does not deal with the main problem, which is uncontrolled population growth. Dealing with one part that makes the main problem worse without dealing seriously with the other side of the problem is hypocritical. Most women in the world have abortions not out of selfishness but because they cannot support and take care of more children.
D.W. (Tallahassee, FL)

Your article on abortion made me realize what a mistake I would have made if I had listened to my boyfriend. He wanted me to get an abortion, but I would not listen. I kept telling him I needed more time to think. But I realize he was only thinking of himself....

My definition of abortion is murder. Does mankind have the right to choose who should live and who should die? No, one of the greatest gifts of God to women is the bringing of a new life into the world. I am a strong believer in God, and there will be a day that Jesus Christ will teach people to have different opinions toward unborn children.

Thank you for writing this article. So many people need to read this, and if I ever come across someone who is thinking about getting an abortion, I will let her read this article so she will understand what happens to that unborn child.
S.C. (Trenton, NJ)

After reading your article on abortion in The PLAN TRUTH, I was very surprised at how many women have had an abortion. I can't see how anyone could take the life of an unborn child. They must not realize that they are killing one of God's wonderful miracles. If they don't want to have a baby why don't they use one of the birth control methods.... At least then they wouldn't have to murder an innocent, helpless, unborn child. God has a purpose for each and every one of us on earth, and I don't think taking a life is one of them.
S.R. (Chillicothe, OH)

I am a Catholic priest. I congratulate you on your article based on statistics on abortion. It is one of the best I have read. Without hesitation, I could use it as it reads from the pulpit.
J.M. (McAllen, TX)

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center