Awesome feedback,....

"While I have been praying over adoption and thinking it a God thing, my heart breaks. I remember what I felt after birthing my child and I can't imagine giving him up. But I was in a situation where I was loved and cared for and safe. It is not like that for all women. Fear can be such a vehicle for human decisions. But if we (the BRIDE) could love more, I have to hope that it would be all the difference to a women facing these decisions. 1 John 4:18"

Absolutely!!! If indeed God knows how to lead those with young gently, we had better as well.

"It is true that some women are forced into giving up their children for adoption, but it isn't always at the hand of the "business" side of things. Often, it is by the natural mother's family. "

That is a great point. We need to make sure we dont take for granted the type of adoption. I know people with open adoptions, closed, and REALLY open (like regular dialog and visits with the natural mother). These are critical. In our haste to adopt and such, we cannot forget the reality that to be a woman in this istuation is unlike any other situation.

I have a belief that goes even further. I believe that most of the "theology" perpetuated by institutional churches is largely misogynistic. I love my spiritual family, but I disagree on a lot. When we take things like women, and we treat them as any different status wise (and try to explain it off as "God") we end up perpetuating an atmosphere that devalues women, and puts them in modes where decisions that are difficult normally, are downright impossible.

I actually know a woman who was pregnant, went to Georgia to have the baby and pick out the perfect adoptive parents. She found the ultimate couple (who were bi-racial in the same exact way as the baby (south american btw...)), and made a quality decision to care for this baby, and make as healthy an environment as possible. She actually was accosted IN A CHURCH by an older woman yelling at her that she might as well KILL THE BABY as adopt it out. What a wounded, broken lady to say this.

Now this is radical, and over the top, and I realize it. However, I only know a a very small amount of women who ever adopted out a baby, so this is a high percentage for me. I also know a woman who lived with a family for 9 months, at at the end decided to keep her child. He is now 15-16 years old, and she struggle through this with her own issues etc... and it is a testament to how a simple sacrifice for a few months could be more powerful than adoption.

The issue really is this... honoring women. If they are pregnant, or not. Honoring them and providing all the support they need, and helping them through these decisions only they can make. And adoption should be the last result, not the first pitch made to her.