I have a quibble with this. The criticism of the Church or Vatican was indeed that their positions on both abortion and contraception are motivated by self-interest. But that doesn't mean that individual Catholics have the same motivation for opposing those anti-natal policies.
You can't transfer cynicism about the Pope to cynicism about all Catholics.
If Catholics are offended at the suggestion that the Vatican sets its policies with an eye toward swelling their ranks, that's understandable. But it is not the same thing as suggesting that every Catholic thinks that way.
If the accusation is directly insulting to the rank and file it is in suggesting that they are unwitting.
I can see that, and understand it.
However, when people attack some folks in the netroots we all rally around. For many Catholics attacking the Pope or the Church leadership is attacking themselves.
All I am suggesting is that a little more care in discussing things that people hold dear -- including progressive people -- is probably in order.
Bloggers are snarky and quick with a quip, and that can get us into trouble sometimes. Snark is great when it moves the issues forward, but when it is gratuitous -- as I think Amanda's was -- then it is just hurtful and doesn't put us in a good light.
