Confession: I'm a Bona Fide Heretic. (clutch pearls here) The word Heretic gets a bad rap, but do you know what it means? It comes from the Greek word "hairetikos" which translates to "able to choose" or "disposed to choose". In modern terms a heretic is simply a person who holds beliefs or teaches opinions that diverge from established religious dogma. So yeah... I am someone who is Able to CHOOSE what to, and what NOT to believe.

I've long ago stopped accepting as fact or truth what comes across the pulpit just because someone in a robe and collar said it. I am a TRUTH SEEKER. That means I study for myself, the root, the origin, the era, the culture, the Who, What, When, Where, and most importantly WHY of the matter. And guess what, that doesn't earn me a lot of points in religious circles and cliques, but I'm OKAY with that! Jesus was considered a Heretic in His day also... furthermore, these days I'd rather be called a Heretic than a Christian the way things are going.

It was a privilege to fill in for my good friend Keith Giles as a co-host with Matthew Distefano for a chat with Author of "Rituals for Heretics" Jeremy Steele. It's time for us to reclaim our relationship with God from religion, to redefine what is sacred and meaningful in our lives, beyond church walls, separate and apart from organized religion. For more check out the latest episode of Heretics Happy Hour now available wherever you get your podcasts and @