Biography

Bernadette Brooten is an expert on sexual ethics and sexual violence and the role of religious communities. She provides fresh interpretations of the patterns of power, social structure, and morality in both ancient and modern religions. Brooten is currently focused on creating a new sexual ethics within Christianity, Judaism and Islam—an ethics system that is based on mutuality and consent rather than the traditional moral values of authority, obedience, honor and shame. She is specifically focused on the intersection of religion, slavery, sexuality and gender. Brooten is the winner of numerous national and international awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 1998.

Resources by this expert

• Love Between Women: Early Christian Responses to Homoeroticism
  (University of Chicago Press, 1996)
• Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue (Scholars Press, 1982)

Recent Interviews & Articles

• Boston Globe, November 19, 2006, op-ed, The modern face of slavery
• Interfaith Voices, October 20–23, 2006, interviewer Maureen Fiedler, The Religious and Moral Legacy of Slavery with Dr. Bernadette Brooten, the Kraft-Hiatt Professor of Christian Studies at Brandeis University, and Mende Nazer, a former slave for seven years in the Sudan.
• The Brandeis Hoot, October 20, 2006, by Kathleen Fischman, Deis hosts sessions on legacy of slavery
• Canada.com, March 22, 2006, by Donna Nebenzahl, "We’re all bound by slavery; Throughout history, slavery was often supported by religious authorities"
• Boston Globe op-ed, November 30, 2005 "A Church Confused Over Sexual Issues" This op-ed was also picked up by the International Herald Tribune and the Boston Herald.
• Telegram & Gazette (Massachusetts), November 30, 2005 "Victim advocates critical of decree on gay priests; Vatican stance seen as ignoring causes of clergy abuse"
• Boston Globe, April 20, 2005 "Students and Scholars Offer Their Views"
• Boston Globe, August 6, 2005 "Caucus on religion thumbs the past"
• The Oregonian, April 25, 2004 "The many meaning of marriage"
• The Oregonian, February 29, 2004 "Marriage a Battered Institution, Studies Show"
• Speaking of Faith, January 29, 2004 "Deciphering the Da Vinci Code"

Organizational links for this expert

• Women’s Studies in Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School
• Brandeis University

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