Does Anyone Else Support Feminists for Life?

[The_Dweller]

FFL is an organization which, rather than getting caught up in political whirlwinds, goes directly to college campuses and informs women that there are alternatives to abortion.

Patricia Heaton, from Everybody Loves Raymond, is the Honorary Chair of the group. From what I can discern, this is a very effective ministry. I’m not a rich man, but I give at least $100 a year, or, if I can afford it, $250 to the group. They seem to hit at the the heart of the matter more than any organization I can think of. Perhaps it’s because they’re talking to them and not at them.

If you are so inclined, please check out their website at www.feministsforlife.org and see what you think. I find it enlightening. Thanks.

 

[true_believer]

I had never heard of it before, but it seems like a good ministry to support. Most of the time, feminists get a bad rep because many of them support abortion. But this group shows that you can stand up for women’s rights and protect life at the same time.

 

[HashemEchad]

FFL is an organization which, rather than getting caught up in political whirlwinds, goes directly to college campuses and informs women that there are alternatives to abortion.

Patricia Heaton, from Everybody Loves Raymond, is the Honorary Chair of the group. From what I can discern, this is a very effective ministry. I’m not a rich man, but I give at least $100 a year, or, if I can afford it, $250 to the group. They seem to hit at the the heart of the matter more than any organization I can think of. Perhaps it’s because they’re talking to them and not at them.

If you are so inclined, please check out their website at www.feministsforlife.org and see what you think. I find it enlightening. Thanks.

I was a national officer of FFL back in the 1970s (before they were called “Feminists for Life of America”, but were just “Feminists for Life”.)

When did they become a religious organization?

 

[The_Dweller]

I was a national officer of FFL back in the 1970s (before they were called “Feminists for Life of America”, but were just “Feminists for Life”.)

When did they become a religious organization?

You’re absolutely right. As far as I know, FFL is a non-demoninational organization. However, they do hold some beliefs similar to religious organizations, such as life beginning at conception and the opposition to abortion is the case of rape. I was trying to appeal to religious people on a religious forum. Thanks for your correction. Cordially, The Dweller

 

[1ke]

I think they do an excellent job at articulating the issue in a way that resonates with young people. I applaud all they do to advance the pro-life message and end abortion in America.

I do not support them financially because they refuse to reject contraception. They are officially “neutral” on the issue. But, I see contraception as the root of abortion. I monetarily support fully Catholic groups such as Priests for Life, American Life League, and One More Soul.

 

[The_Dweller]

I was a national officer of FFL back in the 1970s (before they were called “Feminists for Life of America”, but were just “Feminists for Life”.)

When did they become a religious organization?

I just wanted to add that I think that FFL is a very worthwhile ogranization, whether it is supported by anyone who is pro-life, whether secular or religious. And BTW, thank you for working for FFL. Cordially, The Dweller.

 

[sarah_anne_628]

I think they do an excellent job at articulating the issue in a way that resonates with young people. I applaud all they do to advance the pro-life message and end abortion in America.

I do not support them financially because they refuse to reject contraception. They are officially “neutral” on the issue. But, I see contraception as the root of abortion. I monetarily support fully Catholic groups such as Priests for Life, American Life League, and One More Soul.

I read somewhere that the more readily available contraceptives are, the more “unwanted” pregnancies and subsequent abortions there are.

I wish I could remember my source, but it’s late and I am too tired to Google it right now.

 

[HashemEchad]

I read somewhere that the more readily available contraceptives are, the more “unwanted” pregnancies and subsequent abortions there are.

I wish I could remember my source, but it’s late and I am too tired to Google it right now.

This is true. Its called the contraceptive mentality. Once you get it into your head that its OK to PREVENT babies from being conceived, its just a logical next step to believe its OK to eliminate them AFTER they are conceived.

I find the groups that oppose or do not practice contraception (Roman Catholics, Orthodox Jews, certain Protestant fundamentalists, certain Natural Living/organic living advocates) also have a healthy attitude toward children as well!

 

[ElizabethAnne]

I’m a member! In order to appeal to the ladies my generation, I really believe pro-lifers must show they are concerned for women as well as their children. We really had drilled into us the idea that if one supports women’s rights, one must support the right to “choose.” The way that I came around was through learning that abortion actually harms women.

 

[HashemEchad]

My major problem with FFLA (even though I used to belong, and was an officer too, years ago), is that I no longer want to identify as a “feminist”, even a pro-life one.

I’m very anti-feminist at this point in my life, because I have seen the damage feminism has done to our society, the relationships between men and women, and the damage feminism has done to our children.

 

[1ke]

The way that I came around was through learning that abortion actually harms women.

I am glad you came around. But, this is my core issue with FFL (aside from their refusal to repudiate contraception).

Abortion isn’t wrong because it harms women. Abortion is wrong because it kills babies. The harm women endure is a by-product, not the cause of its wrongness.

FFL won’t come out and say it’s wrong because killing babies is always wrong. They do it in oblique ways, but not directly. That bothers me.

 

[1ke]

My major problem with FFLA (even though I used to belong, and was an officer too, years ago), is that I no longer want to identify as a “feminist”, even a pro-life one.

I’m very anti-feminist at this point in my life, because I have seen the damage feminism has done to our society, the relationships between men and women, and the damage feminism has done to our children.

I too have trouble with “feminism” even the “authentic” version.

 

[rlg94086]

I didn’t know that feminism was a life sentence.

 

[Swan]

I’ve been googling for info on contraception and abortions. The only sites I can find that say using birth control increases abortions are conservative religious sites. I can find no mainstream or scientific studies at all to support this conclusion. I did find a study that concluded that easy access to safe and reliable contraceptives drastically reduced abortion rates in Europe, particularly in the old Soviet countries.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LJZ/is_4_21/ai_n18614856

THe study also found that when the safety of birth control pills was challenged, resulting in some women discontinuing use, the abortion rate went up.

I can tell you from personal experience that I have used birth control since my late teens and have had a 100% success rate. I did at one point get pregnant for the short period I was not using ABC and I had an abotion (I know you don’t approve and don’t have time to go into the details here, suffice to say it was a very difficult decision based on my poor health, the sudden refusal of my husband to support the child, and financial difficulty). I’m not saying ABC is always 100% because I am aware that this is not the case. It has, however, worked for me.

 

[sarah_anne_628]

I’ve been googling for info on contraception and abortions. The only sites I can find that say using birth control increases abortions are conservative religious sites. I can find no mainstream or scientific studies at all to support this conclusion. I did find a study that concluded that easy access to safe and reliable contraceptives drastically reduced abortion rates in Europe, particularly in the old Soviet countries.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LJZ/is_4_21/ai_n18614856

THe study also found that when the safety of birth control pills was challenged, resulting in some women discontinuing use, the abortion rate went up.

I can tell you from personal experience that I have used birth control since my late teens and have had a 100% success rate. I did at one point get pregnant for the short period I was not using ABC and I had an abotion (I know you don’t approve and don’t have time to go into the details here, suffice to say it was a very difficult decision based on my poor health, the sudden refusal of my husband to support the child, and financial difficulty). I’m not saying ABC is always 100% because I am aware that this is not the case. It has, however, worked for me.

So just because the site is biased, their information is invalid? Granted, I would definately scrutinize the information if it comes from a clearly biased source…but that doesn’t make the claims untrue. And it would not be in the best interest of someone who promotes birth control and “choice”…because publishing or referencing a study with such findings would hinder their ‘business’…and mark my words…birth control and abortion are big business and there is a lot of money to be lost!

I believe that a reliable study has found that certain birth control methods are not harmful for most women if used for less than 7 years…and in some cases, may even be beneficial.

I know in my case, I’ve been prescribed the pill not to prevent pregnancy, but to GET pregnant. The idea was that the artificial hormones would help me get my periods back and regulate them so that when I got off the pill, I could get pregnant. However, the doctors and nurses who did this did not understand why I wasn’t having periods and couldn’t get pregnant…so this didn’t work.

As far as your abortion…yes, I disapprove of abortions for any reason and think yours was a wrong decision BUT…legally speaking, this was a viable option for you and you did it in good conscience. I really can’t comment or judge you or your situation. And even if I was compelled to (which I’m not), I have a giant “plank” in my eye right now that prevents me from saying anything to anyone about anything.

 

[Naztakuan]

I’ve been googling for info on contraception and abortions. The only sites I can find that say using birth control increases abortions are conservative religious sites. I can find no mainstream or scientific studies at all to support this conclusion. I did find a study that concluded that easy access to safe and reliable contraceptives drastically reduced abortion rates in Europe, particularly in the old Soviet countries.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LJZ/is_4_21/ai_n18614856

THe study also found that when the safety of birth control pills was challenged, resulting in some women discontinuing use, the abortion rate went up.

I can tell you from personal experience that I have used birth control since my late teens and have had a 100% success rate. I did at one point get pregnant for the short period I was not using ABC and I had an abotion (I know you don’t approve and don’t have time to go into the details here, suffice to say it was a very difficult decision based on my poor health, the sudden refusal of my husband to support the child, and financial difficulty). I’m not saying ABC is always 100% because I am aware that this is not the case. It has, however, worked for me.

Well I did read in the mainstream news of reports that access to the Morning After Pill DID NOT curb pregnancies…So perhaps that’s what they mean. Young women with acces to the MA pill were more likely to engage in unprotected sex anyway and then take the pill when it was too late, which depends on what stage your body is during the month.

 

[ElizabethAnne]

I am glad you came around. But, this is my core issue with FFL (aside from their refusal to repudiate contraception).

Abortion isn’t wrong because it harms women. Abortion is wrong because it kills babies. The harm women endure is a by-product, not the cause of its wrongness.

FFL won’t come out and say it’s wrong because killing babies is always wrong. They do it in oblique ways, but not directly. That bothers me.

I understand that the harm done to women is the by-product of the harm those women do to their children. But not everyone is going to be able to come around that way. I do not believe that the pro-life approach should be one-dimensional. If someone, like I did and many of my friends still do, believes abortion is a necessary evil to protect “women’s rights,” maybe it takes seeing that abortion actually harms, not helps, women for them to understand what a tragedy abortion is.

Sure, it would have been better if I had entered through the front door (been swayed by the “abortion is wrong because it kills babies” argument), but I am so, so glad FFL left a side door open for me.

 

[Swan]

So just because the site is biased, their information is invalid? Granted, I would definately scrutinize the information if it comes from a clearly biased source…but that doesn’t make the claims untrue. And it would not be in the best interest of someone who promotes birth control and “choice”…because publishing or referencing a study with such findings would hinder their ‘business’…and mark my words…birth control and abortion are big business and there is a lot of money to be lost!

I believe that a reliable study has found that certain birth control methods are not harmful for most women if used for less than 7 years…and in some cases, may even be beneficial.

I know in my case, I’ve been prescribed the pill not to prevent pregnancy, but to GET pregnant. The idea was that the artificial hormones would help me get my periods back and regulate them so that when I got off the pill, I could get pregnant. However, the doctors and nurses who did this did not understand why I wasn’t having periods and couldn’t get pregnant…so this didn’t work.

As far as your abortion…yes, I disapprove of abortions for any reason and think yours was a wrong decision BUT…legally speaking, this was a viable option for you and you did it in good conscience. I really can’t comment or judge you or your situation. And even if I was compelled to (which I’m not), I have a giant “plank” in my eye right now that prevents me from saying anything to anyone about anything.

Actually, I’m not saying their information is invalid - I’m saying that I’d like to see something from a more non-biased source as well. This is something I do will all information sources that are biased, even those I agree with - everybody does it. I don’t like being “led” with insufficient evidence and hyperbole. I actually resent it more when the progressives I agree with do it because they so often point out this failing on the “other” side - I hate hypocricy. It’s like they start with a conclusion and then try to find “facts” to support it instead of the other way around. That’s why I always try to corroborate what I hear from more than one source. Everybody’s got an agenda.

BTW, when I took the pill I almost never had a period. I had my tubes tied a very long time ago and am not doing the menopause thing and my periods are more regular than they’ve ever been, though they are getting shorter.

 

[sarah_anne_628]

Actually, I’m not saying their information is invalid - I’m saying that I’d like to see something from a more non-biased source as well. This is something I do will all information sources that are biased, even those I agree with - everybody does it. I don’t like being “led” with insufficient evidence and hyperbole. I actually resent it more when the progressives I agree with do it because they so often point out this failing on the “other” side - I hate hypocricy. It’s like they start with a conclusion and then try to find “facts” to support it instead of the other way around. That’s why I always try to corroborate what I hear from more than one source. Everybody’s got an agenda.

BTW, when I took the pill I almost never had a period. I had my tubes tied a very long time ago and am not doing the menopause thing and my periods are more regular than they’ve ever been, though they are getting shorter.

Yes, I agree…I hate that. But since there is never really such a thing as an unbiased source, objectivity is non existant…so sometimes facts just will not be shared by one side because it goes against their view.

Sometimes I begin research with a preconcieved notion and try to find facts to support that…but knowing my own bias, I try to seek out views and report from the ‘other’ side…and sometimes I end up eating crow and needing to change my position based on facts.


When I was on the pill, I was like clockwork…I could tell you within a couple of hours, what TIME my period would start. But as soon as I stopped the pill…my periods stopped shortly after. My issues are too complicated for the simple pill to fix.

 

[frankadams]

I vote for condoms. I would encourage their use by those who have made the decision to have sex outside of marriage. In fact, I would encourage their use by those in marriage who would kill their offspring should they become pregnant. They have the advantage of not killing any children, unlike some of the other means of “birth control.”

At this point, I have no problem with governments promoting their use, so long as they do not exaggerate their abilities to prevent pregnancy and protect from disease. More casual sex may result, but the tradeoff might be considerably less children executed. And while I find it harmful for a government to promote sex outside of marriage, I don’t think it should be outlawed. Abortion should be. But so long as it remains legal, a much higher use of condoms among the sex crowd can help reduce abortions.