No New Ground Broken

I have reviewed Mr. Dome's comments to my last post, I appreciate his return to explain his position. I believe now that I have misunderstood his statement. When he said, "Stated in inspected documents", I thought he meant documents he, or some other researcher, had inspected. I imagined from this that others, even you and I, could inspect them. After my review of his comments and the resources he directed me to view, I now believe he meant documents that French officials in the 1500s inspected that are no longer extant. There is, as I  now understand, no document that shows Michael had a father named De Villanueva. Just the same as there is no document that shows Michael had a father named Serveto.

The documents referred to my Mr. Dome , from my understanding, are documents viewed by registrars of the University of Paris when Michael matriculated there, Tagault, head of the medical school, when he was tried for teaching astrology, and the officials who conferred citizenship on him while he was living in Vienne.

If only any one of these officials would have saved a copy of the documents they viewed.

I extend my apologies to Mr. Dome for misunderstanding his words and I appreciate him showing me sources to help me recognize my misunderstanding.

'Unitarian Dome' Makes Groundbreaking Announcement

Unitarian Dome (See comments on 'About this Book' page) has just posted that documented evidence exists for the alternate theory of where Michael Servetus was born and who his father is. I consider this to be big news in the Servetus Studies world. This debate has been going on for centuries primarily because of two different stories Michael told the courts in Vienne and Geneva. UD's quote, "What do we know? That he is miguel de Villanueva, born in Tudela, and that his father is Villanueva. Stated in inspected documents.". I have asked about this documentation and what it consists of. Although Unitarian Dome has repeatedly said he was leaving the discussion, I am hoping he will favor me with a return to explain this groundbreaking discovery. It would be exciting to have this evidence revealed on my website. As I said in my earlier post, "New research is always welcome. One of the greatest benefits of a big hit movie about Michael is that it will spur research of all kinds".

If someone has done the groundbreaking research necessary to solve this riddle of the ages, I hope we can see the results soon. That way other scholars can confirm the accuracy of the evidence or debunk it. But it has to be revealed to an eager world first. If we can't see it, we can't accept or reject it.

Where Michael was born does not affect my script. What he said about his past in Vienne and in Geneva is a matter of record and I won't change that in the scenes of the script. The script begins with Michael in Quintana's service (the second time) and follows him until his death. He speaks of missing his home and family without naming individuals.  He is introduced to Charles V as Michael Servetus by Quintana. And, later in the story, he does admit to friends that he changed his name to Villenueve when he moved to Paris and adopted a secret identity. But these are minor things that can be changed easily if this newly announced discovery proves to be legitimate.

Stimulating Discussion Continues

In case you have not been to the 'About This Book' page recently, there are interesting posts there about  the birthplace of Michael Servetus. On January 2, 2012 'Boston Clifford Center' posted about the research of Gonzalez Echiverriria and his book E Amor a la Verdad (For Love of Truth). On the same day 'Unitarian Dome' wrote another comment about the same thing. Since I had not heard of any of this research in my graduate school research, I was intrigued. I always welcome new academic research on the life of this great man. I immediately set about to search for a way to buy this book that Boston Clifford said "is becoming very important in the USA". I couldn't find a place to buy this book online and I still have not. I have since been assured it is available in the Spanish edition. I wondered, "How can a book be important in the USA and not be available"? 

I decided to find out who Boston Clifford Center and Unitarian Dome are. By clicking to their Blogger profiles, I thought I would be able to contact them for more information on the book. Neither profile had information about who they were, nor did they have any blog writings on Blogger. Hmmm, I got curious then. I posted replies to each on February 19, 2012 trying to open the door to a response with some questions and inquiring about the book. So far there has been no reply to either of my replies from either poster.

On August 14, 2012, Jaume de Marcos Andreu responded to the assertions by Boston Clifford and Unitarian Dome. Since then Unitarian Dome and Mr. Marcos have been explaining their positions in a stimulating discourse. I encourage you to click over to the page and read some of it. By the way, Unitarian Dome has given me his name privately, but wishes to remain anonymous publicly.

You can also read a broader discussion of the issue of Michael's birthplace and the reasearch of Mr. Echiverria by going to the Wikipedia article on Michael Servetus and clicking on the 'Talk' button at the top (beside the 'Article' button). Down a bit and to the right is an icon for Archives, under it click on 'March 2005-August 2012'. You will be transported to a discussion of this issue that has been going on for years. Actually, the disagreement over whether Michael was born in Sijena de Villaneuva or Tudela, Spain has been going on for centuries.

The Servetus Project has as it's mission the production of a dramatic feature film about the remarkable life of Michael Servetus. I depend on research from scholars over the centuries to learn about Michael and the context of his times in order to make the best film script possible. New research is always welcome. One of the greatest benefits of a big hit movie about Michael is that it will spur research of all kinds. I use the example of the movie Titanic as an example. The movie production itself did a huge amount of research. The revived interest in society caused research by historians, resulting in documentaries and written history. In addition to historical research, it will be more likely that Michael's religious ideas will get long deserved discourse from theological scholars. 

That said, all new research should expect to be subjected to rigorous academic review. Supporters of new research and new theories about Michael's life should expect to be patient while this review goes forth. Defenders of traditional ideas should expect to have some new information survive the review and some to fail on further examination. It is my hope that we can all remain focused on the life and legacy of this great man and the promotion of his contribution to our freedom of conscience, which makes academic discourse possible.

The first printing of Rebel With A Cause has sold out.  I appreciate all who have bought a copy and the kind and thoughtful critiques I have received. I am currently trying to decide if another printing is advisable, or to write and publish a new edition. I am currently re-writing the script and will include it in a new edition, if it is published.

Thank you again for all those who have purchased a copy of the book, and especially those who have purchased multiple copies.

On September 13, 2012 I had the pleasure of speaking about Michael Servetus to members and friends of the Community Church of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC. My talk on the history and mythology of Michael Servetus was a little over forty five minutes and generated some interesting questions. I would like to thank the Spirituality Exploration for Adults Committee and Steve Warshaw (Chair) for hosting me and for the warm welcome I received. Also, Virginia Guidry handled email logistics for the committee to provide me a smooth introduction to the event. My dear friend, Bud Godreau, initiated the talk by suggesting me and my interest in Servetian studies to the committee.

Outside the meeting room I had some pictures of my 2010 trip to Europe to study Servetus, several books I used in my research, Rebel With A Cause (for sale), and a page for people to use a feather pen and ink to write "AMessage to Michael".



All participants enjoyed a delicious dinner of pasta with red sauce and salad before we gathered for the program. It was a wonderful evening for me and those attending seemed to appreciate my sharing.

Closeout sale

I have only fifteen copies left of the first printing of Rebel With A Cause: The Radical Reformer. Regularly $14.95 each, I'm having a closeout sale for $13 each. If you live close, email me and I can meet you for delivery, if you are far away you can purchase a copy to the right. First come, first served. If you already have a copy, give someone you love a gift.

Recognition from the Servetus Institute

The Michael Servetus Institute, housed in the birth house of Michael servetus in Villenueva de Sijena, Huesca, Spain, has recognized the BEA award for The Passion of the Heretic in an email to its members. An English translation follows the original message from Sergio Baches, Director of the Institute. I would like to thank the Servetus Institute for this kind recognition, and all it does to promote the legacy of Michael Servetus.

Estimada/o Consejera/o:

A finales del pasado noviembre le informé de la publicación del primer guión cinematográfico escrito en inglés sobre Miguel Servet.

http://www.miguelservet.org/servetus/web.php.

http://theservetusproject.blogspot.com/

La obra, titulada "The Passion of the Heretic", ha sido escrita por Thomas Clayton, a la sazón estudiante de cinematografía afincado en Carolina del Norte (EE.UU.). Tuvimos ocasión de recibir al Sr. Thomas y a su esposa Marilyn en el año 2010 en la Casa Natal de Miguel Servet y en las oficinas del CSIC en Barcelona. El Promotor del Instituto, así como D. Jaume de Marcos y la Dra. Ana Gómez Rabal, pudieron entrevistarse con ellos para atender sus consultas y preguntas, lo que Thomas Clayton agradeció en su libro, que incluye además un prólogo del Promotor General del Instituto.

Hace unas semanas, el guión del Sr, Clayton recibió el tercer premio del concurso para guiones escritos por estudiantes que organiza la Broadcast Education Association's Festival of Media Arts (BEA). La BEA agrupa a profesores, profesionales y estudiantes interesados en la docencia y la investigación en el mundo de las artes cinematográficas y audiovisuales. Alrededor de 1.600 profesores, estudiantes y profesionales de los medios están afiliados a la BEA a título individual, mientras que más de 275 colegios y universidades de EE.UU. son socios institucionales.

Debemos, por lo tanto, felicitar a Thomas Clayton por este merecido galardón. Ahora sólo nos falta buscar un productor que lo lleve a la pantalla con éxito.

Atentamente,

Dr. Sergio Baches Opi

Promotor General

Instituto de Estudios Sijenenses "Miguel Servet"

(Michael Servetus Institute)

22231 Villanueva de Sijena, Huesca, Aragón (España)

www.miguelservet.org

Tel.: 635706088

##########################################

Dear Friends:
 
In late November, The Servetus Institute was informed of the publication of the first screenplay written in English on Servetus.
 
http://www.miguelservet.org/servetus/web.php.
 
http://theservetusproject.blogspot.com/
 
The work, entitled The Passion of the Heretic was written by Thomas Clayton, then a film student living in North Carolina (USA). We had the opportunity to receive Thomas and his wife Marilyn in 2010 in the birthplace of Miguel Servet and the offices of the CSIC in Barcelona. Dr. Sergio Baches, and D. Jaume de Marcos and Dr. Ana Gómez Rabal, met with them to answer Thomas' queries and questions about Servetus. For this interview, Thomas  thanked all in his book, Rebel With A Cause, which also includes a foreword by the, Director of the Servetus Institute, Dr. Sergio Baches Opi.
 
A few weeks ago, Mr. Clayton's script received third prize in the competition for feature length student screenplays organized by the Broadcast Education Association's Festival of Media Arts (BEA). The BEA brings together teachers, professionals and students interested in teaching and research in the world of film and audiovisual arts. About 1,600 teachers, students and media professionals are members of the BEAindividually, while more than 275 U.S. colleges and universities are institutional partners.
 
We must therefore congratulate Thomas Clayton for this well deserved award. Now we just need to find a producer to take the Passion of the Heretic to the screen successfully.
 
Sincerely,

Dr. Sergio Baches Opi
General sponsor
Institute of Sijenenses "Miguel Servet"
(Michael Servetus Institute)
22231 Villanueva de Sijena, Huesca, Aragon (Spain)
www.miguelservet.org
Tel: 635706088

The Passion of the Heretic Wins BEA Award

The Passion of the Heretic is now, officially, an award winning screenplay. The Passion of the Heretic has won a third place award in the student scriptwriting competition of the Broadcast Education Association's Festival of Media Arts.

From http://www.beaweb.org/:
"The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) is the professional association for professors, industry professionals and graduate students who are interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises.  Over 1,600 professors, students and media professionals are currently individual members and approximately 275 college and university departments and schools are institutional members."

Student Scriptwriting Winners
Feb 15, 2012 by J-D Boyle
Scriptwriting Competition

Feature (90 – 120 pages)

1st Place:              Roger W. Standridge, California State University at Northridge; Samurai Arena

2nd Place:             Nancy Hendrickson, Cal State Northridge; Our House

3rd Place:              Thomas Clayton, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; The Passion of the         Heretic

Honorable Mentions:
Dillon Swingle, University of North Texas; Hold On
Nathan Sorensen, University of Georgia; Club Trouble

End BEA material.

The screenplay, along with supporting writings, is available in book form at at the link on the right. A few copies of the first edition, first printing are still available. Additional information on Michael Servetus is available at http://www.miguelservet.org and http://www.servetus.org.

I wish to thank everyone who has helped and supported me in creating this script.

Thomas Clayton

Rebel With A Cause mentioned on UU World web page

Rebel With A Cause is mentioned on the UU World web page for recent books by UU authors.  The title is misspelled in the short synopsis, Revel With A Cause.


http://blogs.uuworld.org/editors/tag/books-by-uu-authors/page/2/?utm_source=n