Ugh. I know you can put a positive spin on this kind of data collection by saying it's just about reaching out to help people, but I mean, come on ... Those of us who have been part of that world know it isn't the full story.

I have never once encountered a Christian congregation that organized itself to reach out and help people with no expectation of something in return. I've never experienced a Christian church that organized to do good deeds for people unless they were doing it to convert people or grow their congregation.

I grew up in the church with a pastor father and attended many, and I have close family members who have remained in that world all along. I'm talking about decades of experience here.

If Christian churches are mining data to reach out to people who are grieving or are otherwise in pain, then their motives aren't just suspect, they are highly compromised. This is just plain creepy.