%0 Journal Article %T Feminist Scholarship and Its Relevance for Political Engagement: The Test Case of Abortion in the U.S. %A Margaret Kamitsuka %J Religion and Gender %D 2011 %I Utrecht University Library Open Access Journals %X This essay explores how gender studies in academe, including in religious studies, might remain relevant to ongoing feminist political engagement. I explore some specific dynamics of this challenge, using as my test case the issue of abortion in the U.S. After discussing how three formative feminist principles (women¡¯s experience as feminism¡¯s starting point, the personal is political, and identity politics) have shaped approaches to the abortion issue for feminist scholars in religion, I argue that ongoing critique, new theoretical perspectives, and attentiveness to subaltern voices are necessary for these foundational feminist principles to keep pace with fast-changing and complex societal dynamics relevant to women¡¯s struggles for reproductive health and justice. The essay concludes by proposing ¡®natality¡¯ as a helpful concept for future feminist theological and ethical thinking on the subject. %K Abortion %K feminist %K prochoice %K prolife %K natality %U http://www.religionandgender.org/index.php/rg/article/view/2