CS: On the same token, do you still keep in contact with your Spiritual Advisory Board?
AJJ: I do. Elton Richards, the “pastor out to pasture”, came to see me at one of the stops on my book tour. I still speak with Yossi, the Orthodox Jew and I owe a phone call to Mr. Berkowitz, the man who examined my wardrobe to make sure that wools and linens were separate.
CS: Does he still check your clothing?
AJJ: I haven't added anything new to my wardrobe, so no. He hasn't been over, lately.
CS: Can you talk about your experience in Israel when you went to see your ex-uncle Gil? My impression was that it wasn't a very enjoyable visit.
AJJ: He's such a fascinating character, I felt I couldn't have written the book without at least talking to him. He was the inspiration for this project, after all. But in the end, he represented that branch of religion that's really self-righteous- “My way is the only way.” He also threatens people physically. That's not something you want in your religious leaders. I much prefer going into a study of religion with a curious, questioning mind and a sense of mystery. No one can claim that they have all the answers.
CS: What was your final impression, your mindset, after visiting Jerry Falwell's church?
AJJ: Well, I still do not agree with his views at all but, at the same time, I found that I'd gone in there with a preconceived notion. Everyone there was incredibly kind and welcoming and Falwell's sermon was filled with much more grace and candor than I expected. Nothing like any of his previous comments or rants actually ever came up in his sermon.
CS: How did your foray into biblical slavery work out with your intern?
AJJ: An unpaid intern was the closest thing I could find to a Hebrew slave and he was great. He did everything for me: printing, research and he made Ezekial bread for me, too, which is a kind of unleavened bread. I wish I still had him. I truly think the world would be a better place with more people like him in it.
CS: And what are your final thoughts about your visit to the Creationist Museum in Kentucky?
AJJ: Well, it was a fascinating visit. They had quite an amazing setup. There was a jungle display and there were waterfalls and life-sized dinosaur models. One of my favorite parts of the project was to immerse myself in the beliefs and practices of these various groups: evangelical Christians, Orthodox Jews, etc. Even when I disagreed with their beliefs I still always tried to find wisdom in the things that they said. The Creationists were no exception. Everyone at the museum was very friendly and intelligent. I'd guess that there's no difference in IQ between them and those who support the Theory of Evolution. But their faith is so strong that they distort the evidence and the facts to fit their beliefs.
I strongly believe in Evolution but I tried very hard to put myself in the place of someone who believed in Creationism. When I did that the notion of humanity as one giant family began to not seem so far-fetched. To be able to say that we truly are all related, that you and I are cousins, gives me a good feeling.
CS: So, what's next for you? Do you have another seemingly impossible task you'd like to undertake?
AJJ: I don't know. I do love these immersion experiments where I get to just throw myself into something, like I did when I read the Encyclopedia Britannica. But my wife says that I owe her for putting her through this past year. She wants it to be The Year of Giving Foot Massages. I'm not sure how well that, as a memoir, would go over with the publisher.
