Under your 2004-05 discussion of reproductive rights, you gave an incomplete answer to Sophie, who asked if it's possible to be a pro-life Christian feminist. It definitely is! I am one (although not the born-again type she's describing, but the social justice peace-loving-end-poverty-now type.) Jesus was quite radical in his acceptance of women, although many Christian churches have fallen short in following his example.  Although you would surely disagree with the positions of the organization Feminists for Life they prove that one can be both pro-woman and pro-life.  There are many of us who believe that legalized abortion offers a cop-out to really addressing the underlying problems that lead many women to choose abortion. Feminists for Life addresses this and shows that the first wave of feminists stood strongly against abortion.

I certainly think that one can be pro-life and be a feminist, but from the research I have done and the interactions I have had with feminists for life — they aren't authentically feminist, but rather use feminism to appear pro-woman. When I have asked them to define feminism for me or to put their work in a larger feminist context, I haven't received a complete answer. Part of being a feminist is ensuring that others have access to the choices they need to make — regardless of what choice they make. It's also about trusting women to be agents in their own lives and not about deferring a supposed right way. I certainly applaud your opinion and think that there need to be more people out there who are defining pro-life/pro-choice for themselves and giving their example to others without enforcing their opinion onto others.

— Amy