Kate’s Take

Sex and Technology after Roe

Sex, Tech, and Faith by Kate Ott is a values-based, shame-free, pleasure-positive discussion of Christian ethics in response to a range of pressing issues in the digital age. It is now available for pre-order now at Eerdmans, Christian Book, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and more!  Ott shared her perspective with EerdWord (where this blog was originally posted) on the relevance and impact this book could have for our global and digital conversations today. Book Meets World by Kate Ott Read more…

By kateott, ago

Why should Christians be concerned about privacy in a digital world?

Digital privacy might be an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp or fine mess. I had the privilege of joining host Roy Jenkins on BBC Radio Wales, All Things Considered to discuss issues of data privacy and Christian faith practices. Other guests included: Dr Eric Stoddart – theologian at St Andrew’s university in Scotland specialising in Surveillance and digital technology, author “Theological Perspectives on a Surveillance society” Father Matthew Roche Saunders, who is about to become Parish Read more…

By kateott, ago

Graduation and Mother’s Day: Remembering Generations of Womanist and Feminist Scholar Activism

This blog was previously published on the Drew Social Justice Leadership Project blog space. As another academic year comes to a close, many of us in academia are attending graduations. Routinely the dean, president, or honored guest reminds the graduates to thank their family and friends for supporting and encouraging them as they completed their education. The same individual, then, invites the students to thank their faculty members without whom they would not be able to Read more…

By kateott, ago

What do Good Friday, Teens, and Dating have in Common?

Most of us do not connect discussions of teen dating with Sunday School discussions about Good Friday. There may be some theological traditions who would use Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to bring a bit of perspective to the drama of teen dating. For example, “Jesus gave his life for us, how can you spend so much time worrying about who will take whom to the dance?” But that was not the discussion in the Read more…

By kateott, ago

It’s no slam dunk, but it’s a start

The game is lopsided with a 15 point lead. The visiting team is frustrated and beginning to fall apart. The visiting team inbounds the ball and one player tries unsuccessfully to dribble through the home team’s back court press. The whistle blows. A ten second violation gives the ball to the home team. The coaches of the visiting team are exacerbated as their directions go unexecuted play after play. One visiting player on the bench Read more…

By kateott, ago

Digital Disparity is a Moral Issue

Digital technology directly impacts who we are and what we do; it ushers in abundant possibilities and indelibly alters how we form relationship and community. . . . For Christians committed to a more just and inclusive society, and imaginative and serious ethical response to digital technologies requires looking beyond the immediate experience of software and hardware to how it was created, how our use of it shapes us, and what values are promoted across Read more…

By kateott, ago

Spiritual Self-Care for the Advent Season

Discussion of self-care in social justice movements has become a regular topic of social media feeds, blog posts, and workshops. And my response is: FINALLY! I don’t raise this issue to dismiss it. Data shows that those who work on social justice and human rights issues face high levels of burn-out. Ministers and religious professionals also experience high levels of stress that require better practices of self-care. This time of year adds extra burdens to the commitments and justice Read more…

By kateott, ago

Where do I start?: Responding to sexual harassment, violence, and abuse

The recent news cycle has increased the frequency with which I am asked, “Where do I start?” by colleagues, parents, and pastors. Sexual harassment, violence and abuse is not only at the forefront of our national conversation, but a recurring issue in our faith communities. We have yet to adequately responded. On Tuesday, September 25th, I was with a gathering of the Seventh Day Adventist Church for a global summit to #EndItNow. Just days before Dr. Read more…

By kateott, ago