From Christendom to Freedom: Journey-Making with a Black Transgender Elder

In Christendom to Freedom: Journey-Making with a Black Transgender Elder, Jonathon Thunderword offers his spiritual autobiography, tracing his path from Christianity into Judaism and beyond. Stories include anecdotes and observations of Christianity (Catholic and Protestant), Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism as well as his engagement with the psychology of religion and non-believers (such as atheists, agnostics, humanists, free thinkers). Jonathon does not claim to have all of the answers to life’s big questions, but he offers himself as a possibility model, showing that it is possible to create a spiritual path that works for each individual’s particular needs. Each chapter includes 4-6 episodes from Jonathon’s life–and each episode ends with one or more questions that invite the reader to reflect on their own journey, needs, and perspectives. Thunderword is an omni-faith, multi-spiritual practitioner who is a part of Mata Amritanandamayi Center. He was ordained to Christian ministry under both the National Baptist Convention and the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. He converted to Judaism and now lives in a Hindu ashram with his partner.