Author, Speaker, Composer, Artist
Newly published book: COVER-UP: HOW HISTORY SILENCED JESUS' TRUE HEIRS
Forget the da Vinci Code. It may be fun, but it's fiction. My book presents the real drama of Jesus’ Jewish followers, the Nazarenes. Despite oppression and a virtual erasure from history, they cherished Jesus’ dream of a just world for almost fifteen hundred years. They influenced the rise of such heretical groups as the Cathars, who resisted the wealth and corruption of both church and state until they were exterminated in the notorious Albigensian crusade. In these groups, women played equal roles with men thus fulfilling Jesus’ dictum: “The rulers of the nations lord it over them…. It is not so among you.” Because he walked the walk, he had women disciples. The last time we hear of the Jewish followers of Jesus, they are migrating into Russia in the fifteenth century where they influenced the rise of such sects as the Doukhobors who still sing about that just world that will fulfill Jesus’ dream.
I am already doing speaking promotions of my book. A popular topic is: “The Empowerment of Women among the Nazarenes and Beyond” which traces women in leading roles from Jesus’ ministry through various heretical groups, culminating in the women troubadours who flourished in the Cathar lands of southern France. For other topics, click on SPEECHES.
THE SERPENT CIRCLE OF LIGHT|
A vision in the night. A dream vision in a manse on a hill. A vision while an August Moon sparkles on the waters of Northumberland Strait nearby. If I close my eyes I can still see that circle of fiery serpents undulating on the attic floor while I sit mesmerized, watching. I am three years old. I have no idea what it means but it will haunt me all my life.
I go up to the attic next morning and find it is not burned. There is no charred circle where the fire flamed. Is this a Moses Moment before a burning blush? Have those fiery serpents called me on a quest?