Life, abortion, rape and feminism

That's a powerful combination of ideas!

There are often arguments over abortion. Those who oppose abortion are often criticised by the 'feminists'. However, some feminists oppose abortion.
An academic recently defended Melinda Tankard's right to identify as a feminist AND be pro-life. Her article is below.

But first...
Sometimes the worst case scenario is used to justify 'some' abortions: 'What about abortion in the case of rape?'
Kristi Hofferber's story is about being a child born from incestuous rape - if you know people who think rape or incest are 'reasons' for abortion, read Kristi's amazing story!

A personal story of life...
The amazing personal story of Kristi Hofferber.
Kristi is a pastor's wife. She was adopted at 3 days old. In the past year she set out to find her birth parents - she learnt that her mother had been raped by her father - she had five abortions - and one child. Kristi has now met her birth mother.... read her story and be touched by her conviction that God has created her and her life is significant despite her 'DNA'.
Read her story: At 30, I learned that my mother was raped by her father…and I was that child

Kristi runs the blog The Courage to Speak - she says, "I was given the gift of life in a difficult circumstance, and believe that every child conceived deserves the same -without exception."

Row over what is a 'feminist'...
A controversy has been running over what makes a 'feminist' - and more particularly, the question of whether a 'feminist' be 'pro-life'... along with questions of faith, of course.
The debate rages about Melinda Tankard-Reist- she is pro-life and opposes abortion. Melinda is also concerned about pornography and the sexualisation of children - and is a Christian.
Recently an academic wrote to defend Melinda's right to call herself a feminist and be pro-life (though the author herself is "not pro-life").
Law lecturer Cathy Sherry concludes: "The real test of tolerance is tolerating those with whom we strongly disagree. And we will never have a right to express our own contested ideas if we do not defend others' rights to do the same."
Read the article: Sisterhood beware - silencing ideas stymies progress - The Age, 25/1/2012.