Marie's Blog
Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune offers analysis and commentary on issues that concern the work of FaithTrust Institute.
“Life is Hard But The Kids Are Alright”
Feb 02, 2012 — Categories: Healthy Teen RelationshipsFebruary is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Seems somehow appropriate with Valentine’s Day in the middle. I wonder, do teens do Valentines? Do they actually “date” anymore? I wonder about the Glee world of high school which teens are navigating. This blog is a shared endeavor with Emily Cohen, our Program and Learning Coordinator.
Rape is Rape is Rape . . .
Jan 26, 2012 — Categories: Sexual ViolenceThe U.S. Department of Justice has updated its definition of rape. Now we can name more clearly what victims of rape have known for centuries.
Judge Adams, Part 2: “Judge Not That You Not Be Judged . . .”
Jan 14, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseChristian scripture is very clear. In Romans, Paul doesn’t mince words about the hypocrisy of sitting in judgment on another . . . when you are doing the exact same things.
Judge Adams, Part 1: “Fathers, do not . . .”
Dec 30, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseI was traveling and speaking at a conference in November when the story broke about Judge Adams beating his teenage daughter, Hilary, on tape.
You or Someone You Know . . .
Dec 27, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Domestic ViolenceThe latest study on sexual assault was released in December and for some suggested a new awareness of how widespread sexual violence against women really is. In fact, the new figures by and large merely confirm what we know from earlier studies: violence against women is an all-too-common experience. The bottom line: 1 in 3 women report being victims of rape, beating and/or stalking.
16 Days is Not Long Enough
Nov 20, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Other, Sexual ViolenceThis time last year I was on my way to Capetown, South Africa, to visit my friend, Elizabeth Petersen and the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI). This was my first trip to this massive continent and, like so many people, I immediately fell in love with South Africa.
The Church of College Football
Nov 10, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual ViolenceA former defensive coordinator for the Penn State football team, Jerry Sandusky (a priest in the Church of College Football), has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of boys over a 15 year period.
“A woman of faith, a formerly battered woman, a mother of six children . . .”
Oct 30, 2011 — Categories: Violence Against Women, Domestic ViolenceLeymah Roberta Gbowee is now a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Gbowee, who shares the Peace Prize with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Tawakul Karman of Yemen, was responsible for organizing a peace movement that brought an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003.
“Corrective Rape”? No, Hate Crime
Oct 24, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual Violence“Corrective rape.” When I first heard this term, I stopped dead in my tracks. Having thought that I had heard it all when it came to violence against women, here was yet another perverse variation of rationale for sexual assault.
"If there's one place that you should be safe . . .”
Oct 15, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Domestic Violence"If there's one place that you should be safe, it should be in your house of worship." This was the comment made by Sheriff Grady Judd in Polk County, Florida, as he began to unravel the murder of a wife by her husband who then went to their church and shot the pastor and assistant pastor in the middle of Sunday services.
Dear Pope: Deep Trouble
Oct 03, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI do wish you had called me. Now you are in deep trouble. I see that human rights lawyers have filed a complaint against you with the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“Nothing New Here”
Sep 06, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceThe only real news in the case of the charge of sexual assault against a powerful French politician is that the victim came forward and filed a complaint. The outcome is classic and predictable.
Guest Blog: Ramadan Reflection
Aug 24, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, MuslimRamadan is a time for Muslims to improve themselves and strengthen their relationships with God. Muslims are asked to abstain not only from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn to dusk, but more importantly, to refrain from any immoral or harmful behaviors.
Guest Blog: Tragic Violence Awakens the Orthodox Community
Aug 15, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, JewishThe brutal murder and dismemberment just a few weeks ago of 9-year-old Leiby Kletzky, of blessed memory, a member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish Hasidic sect in Brooklyn, NY, has shaken the Jewish community.
"A Knight Templar, But No Madman"
Aug 03, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, MuslimAs Muslims begin the celebration of Ramadan, I can hardly imagine what my Muslim friends and colleagues might be reflecting upon in light of the bombing and massacre in Norway.
How to Begin to Apologize
Jul 17, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy EthicsEarly this year, the Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop of Boston, presided over “A Liturgy of Lament and Repentance.” The service was offered for the victims and survivors of sexual abuse by priests.
Memo to: Clergy colleagues
Jul 03, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy EthicsRe: The Weiner problem. In case there is any confusion about the cautionary tale presented to us by the bad behavior of Congressman Anthony Weiner recently revealed to the entire world, let me be clear.
“Weary: having one’s patience exhausted . . .”
Jun 09, 2011 — Categories: Current EventsThese past few weeks of news of powerful men’s abuse of women culminating this week in the pathetic case of Anthony Weiner’s internet exploits just leaves me weary.
"Do Not Make Any Statements . . ."
May 18, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceThis is the advice given by many insurance companies to clients who are churches or religious organizations when faced with a disclosure of abuse by one of their leaders. Frankly, it is advice that will very likely lead to lawsuits brought by survivors of abuse and to significant settlements paid out by insurers.
Vashti: It All Depends on Your Perspective
May 05, 2011 — Categories: Violence Against Women, Domestic ViolenceI was recently in Wichita, Kansas, speaking to a statewide gathering of advocates and law enforcement personnel. I mentioned Vashti as a biblical resource for women. The story goes that Vashti, the queen before Esther, was very beautiful. When the king had a party with all his guy friends, he—in a drunken state—sent for Vashti to come parade before his buddies. Vashti sent word back to the king that she would not come.
