The conclusion of Marcella Althaus-Reid and Lisa Isherwood’s 2007 book, Controversies in Feminist Theology, noted that ‘The future of feminist theologies are assured while gender and sexual oppression exist’.1 Yet, they also spoke of a number of challenges to the field, specifically difference in methodologies, varied nomenclature and terminologies, and stereotyping among its practitioners. I would add another: that the nature of bias itself is not uniform nor homogeneous but is largely treated as such by contextual theologians. In this article (...) the challenge presented by the presupposition that ‘a bias-is-a-bias’ is addressed from an epistemological one that attempts to delve into the nature of bias, beginning with the question: if the root nature of the problem, that is bias, is not homogeneous but rather reflects the interplay of different types of biases, does not gender oppression call for more comprehensive solutions beyond solidarity or justice? While justice-based solutions called for by feminist theologies are certainly valid and necessary, perhaps they function more as short-term solutions to a much larger dialectic, one that requires a more comprehensive grace-based approach. This article explores this idea and humbly offers a few methodological reflections. (shrink)

This article reviews the debate over electronic data bases and privacy, with an emphasis on the United States since the Privacy Act of 1974. Proposals that have value for the 1990s, both nationally and internationally, are synthesized. Some current controversies are discussed, including some of the reasons for the failure of previous privacy legislation. The way social values affect both statistical and intelligence systems is reviewed, and the debate over organizational necessity and computerization is examined. Some controversial systems and programs (...) are described, along with suggestions designed to move closer to state-of-the-art privacy oversight. (shrink)