User:Braxtonuniversity/Hendrik Pretorius

Hendrik Pretorius (born November 29, 1963) is a South African born Post-Theistic Theologian and author of highly controversial theological, sexual and evolutionary nonfiction books and Social Science Fiction literary works. Pretorius was born on African soil, a country then marked by the turbulence and injustice of apartheid rule. However, he was raised in the arid deserts of southern Namibia – formerly a South African protectorate – only to return years later, and commence his career as a student of the sciences. Pretorius’ works feature the recurring themes of God, sex, evolution, religious conspiracy, cryptography, keys, symbols and codes.

Some conspiracy theories links the assassination of Prof.  Johan Adam Heyns (May 27, 1928 – November 5, 1994), an influential Afrikaner Calvinist theologian and moderator of the general synod of the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) because he directly caused the public embarrassment of the the church by accepting Pretorius’ thesis to be biblically acceptable, the very document that formed the basis of his first publication Being Gay: Punishment or Blessing. With this publication Pretorius openly confessed to his gay identity, sparking an uproar within the Dutch Reformed Church, who did not condone the ordaining of gay ministers. The church faced a predicament: even though they condemned homosexuality, they had already accepted his pro-gay thesis, and moreover, he had already been ordained as minister.

Education
University of Pretoria (Undergraduate Programme: BSc, first year, before changing course to BA (Baccalaureus Artium (Theology) (BA(Theol))), in Theology cum laude , Postgraduate Programme: Baccalaureus Divinitatis - BD, in Theology  cum laude ); University of South Africa( (Postgraduate Programme: Doctor of Theology (DTh) - exams passed on  29 November 1993. Thesis accepted and degree conferred by the Braxton University on the 23rd of March 2005. A professorate was bestowed upon Pretorius on the same day).

Biography
The Golden Shadows, a current commissioned biographical work made for hire. Literary Agent: Blue Cherry Press (Pty) Ltd. (2004/000746/07).

Nonfiction

 * Being Gay: Punishment or Blessing, 1990. Homofilos S.A. Publishers. ISBN 0-620-15091-2
 * Sexual Discrimination,1992. Homofilos S.A. Publishers. ISBN 0-620-16340-2

Academic Theses

 * Homosexuality in Context, 1988. University of Pretoria.
 * A Pastoral-hermeneutical exploration of the gay archetype and archetypical actualization from a holographic-evolutionary paradigm, 1992. University of South Africa: passed doctoral exams on the 29th of November 1993. Promoters: Prof. Murray Janson (deceased); Prof. Jan de Jongh van Arkel. Thesis transferred for copyright purposes and accepted by Braxton University on the 23rd of March 2005.
 * Sexuality in The Old Testament, University of South Africa: doctoral paper, promoter Prof. H.G. Viljoen.

Social Science Fiction

 * Nando’s Journey: Trilogy, current. Literary Agent: Blue Cherry Press (Pty) Ltd. (2004/000746/07). The Trilogy consists of the following three works:
 * Nando’s Journey and the Golden Gate
 * Nando’s Journey and the Magical Hats
 * Nando’s Journey and the Feast of Fools

Films

 * Nando’s Journey: Trilogy, current. Literary Agent: Blue Cherry Press (Pty) Ltd. (2004/000746/07). The Trilogy will be produced as three cinematic Animated Films by the same titles as the Social science fiction works mentioned above.

Public Speeches

 * The Gay Renaissance. Public Paper delivered at the first gay liberation march in Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 13th of October 1990. He co-led the march with, amongst others,  Edwin Cameron, Constitutional Court justice.
 * Religion: The Quest for Relevance with specific reference to the Church and Homosexuality. Academic Paper delivered at the Grahamstown Arts Festival, known today as the National Arts Festival, on the 1st of July 1991. He was crowned "Rising Star of the year" as part of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards.

Academic Articles

 * ''Crossing the Scientific Rubicon: The Birth of A New Science.” Academic Paper, London, 20th of November 1988: Braxton University
 * Gay Liberation Theology. Academic Paper, Austria, 28th of November 1988: Braxton University
 * Gay hermeneutics. Academic Paper, Greece, on the 1st of December 1988: Braxton University
 * The Evolution of Gay Sexuality. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1994: Braxton University
 * The holographic-evolutionary paradigm. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1995: Braxton University
 * The neurophysiology of the gay archetype. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1996: Braxton University
 * The composition of the scientific discipline of Gaytology. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1997: Braxton University
 * Quantum Gaytology. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1998: Braxton University
 * Evolutionary Spirituality. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1999: Braxton University
 * The influence of worldviews of sexual flux. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 2000: Braxton University
 * Gay Psychology. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 2001: Braxton University

Journalists
Mariechen Waldner (Rapport) Neels Jackson (Beeld) Marion Duncan (Sunday Times) Carolyn McGibbon (The Weekend Argus – Cape Argus) Marieta Roos (Huisgenoot) Dessa Salter(You) Michael Shafto (Sunday Star) Nomavenda Mathiane (Sunday Star) Mary Rose (You) Charlotte Bauer (The Weekly Mail) Liesl Louw (Beeld) Lizél Louw (Transvaler) Theunis Engelbrecht (Beeld) Sandra Coetzee (Transvaler) Shaun de Waal (The Weekly Mail) Johan Bruwer (De Kat) Christelle de Jager (Vrye Weekblad) William Pretorius (Exit) Adam Streicher (Die Perdeby) Wiida Basson (Beeld) Ian Stiff (The Pretoria News) Hester van der Merwe (Transvaler) Alet van der Westhuizen (Beeld) Magda Theron (Beeld) Alida Britz (Transvaler) Prof PJ de Bruyn (Die Kerkblad) Prof Ernst Marais (Die Voorligter)

TV Presenters
Ruda Landman (Carte Blanché) Riaan Cruywagen (SABC News) Antoinette van Niekerk (SABC)

Photographers
Lisa Hnatowicz Adéle Hamblin Nicolene Olckers Justin Sholk Phyllis Green Robyn Ryan Willem de Lange

TV and Radio
SABC Radio - Monitor SABC TV MNET – Carte Blanche

Magazines
De Kat You Huisgenoot Highveld Style: Standard bank National Arts Festival Die Voorligter Die Kerkblad

Newspapers
Rapport Sunday Times Sowetan Sunday Star The Weekly Mail The Weekend Argus – Cape Argus Beeld Transvaler Vrye Weekblad Exit Die Perdeby The Citizen The Pretoria News Die Kerkblad Die Kerkbode

Personal life
Let it never be said that the life of Hendrik Pretorius has thus far been an uneventful one. For, truly, he is a man of talent, and in his journeys through life has left indelible impressions on fields across the spectrum of society. Ardent academic, passionate gay-rights activist, and cunning businessman and project leader – these are only some of the labels that we may, without hesitation, attach to his name. On 29 November 1963, Hendrik was born on South African soil, a country then marked by the turbulence and injustice of apartheid rule. However, he was raised in the arid deserts of southern Namibia – formerly a South African protectorate – only to return years later, and commence his career as a student of the sciences. In 1982, Hendrik enrolled at the University of Pretoria for a BSc degree. Yet, after completing his first year as a science student, he decided to embark on a different journey, one that was ultimately to bring him to the vanguard of political revolution and sexual reform in South Africa: he enrolled as a theology student. In 1985, he graduated with a BA degree in theology, cum laude, and was eager to advance to postgraduate level the following year. He studied under the then moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church, the late Prof. Johan Heyns, and completed his thesis entitled ‘Homosexuality in context’ in 1988. Prof. Heyns found his thesis to be biblically acceptable, and Hendrik received his BD degree, cum laude, concluding his studies at the University of Pretoria. He received honorary colours from the university in 1985 and 1988 for academic excellence. By the end of 1988 he was provisionally ordained as a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. With a strong academic background in theology, Hendrik found himself with the necessary tools to justify his being gay, and to criticize the intense myopia of the patriarchal conservative white rule in government and church when it came to gay issues. In 1990 he published his first book, Being gay: punishment or blessing?, revealing the first ever gay liberation theology in Africa, known today as the ‘theology of the court jester’. Historically, the court jesters were the characters who, by their very functioning as court jesters, most vitally criticized the ideology and practices of their rulers. The message, by analogy, was clear: so too should gay people, by their very presence as gays, stir authorities in all spheres of society into revaluating their prejudiced doctrines, and not only those on sexual norms, but all that undermine human dignity. With this publication Hendrik openly confessed to his gay identity, sparking an uproar within the Dutch Reformed Church, who did not condone the ordaining of gay ministers. The church faced a predicament: even though they condemned homosexuality, they had already accepted his pro-gay thesis, and moreover, he had already been ordained as minister. But by being a self-confessed homosexual, Hendrik wittingly compromised his career with the church, who, according to their principles, would never call on him to lead one of their congregations. Yet, the child from the Namib had stood up and demanded a place within society, and within the immutable structures of the church. He had evolved from a reserved academic into an inspired activist, and was about to become even more publicly prominent. On 13 October 1990 between 200 and 300 protestors took to the streets of Braamfontein and Hillbrow, Johannesburg, in the first ever Gay and Lesbian Pride March in Africa, escort by a large truck embellished with rainbow-colored balloons. Some wore bags over their heads, some wore pink headbands and armbands, while all voiced creeds of liberation. The march was lead by black activists intent on pressuring the South African government for political reform, such as Simon Nkoli, but Hendrik also played a vital role. He was asked to present the speech and to lead the protest along with Nkoli and others, including the prominent advocate Cameron. Hendrik used the opportunity to promulgate the demands of the gay community, which included calling on the government to repeal all legislation that discriminate against gays, to allow for gay marriages, and to protect the rights of gays in a constitution. Being a theologian, Hendrik also found it necessary to criticize the church for their parochial views on homosexuality and to demand that they review their policy. He also called on all gay Christians to leave their churches that so relentlessly denounce them as sinners. As a token of his strong aversion to the church’s doctrine, he publicly resigned as a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. The following year, on 15 May 1991, Hendrik founded the first gay church in Africa: the Reforming Congregations of Equals in Christ, known today as the Reforming Church. He personally led the church for two years, after which the reverend Andre Muller, whom he had previously ordained as minister, took the lead and went on to serve as moderator. The Reforming Church has today grown into a large organization, and its headquarters are situated in Pretoria. Later that year, under the banner of the Reforming Church, Hendrik set out to conduct marriage ceremonies for gay couples – something that was utterly taboo within the structures of the Dutch Reformed Church. One such ceremony was to take place in the campus chapel of his alma mater, the University of Pretoria. However, when the university came to know that the marriage ceremony was to be a gay marriage ceremony, the Reforming Church was denied access to the chapel. But the political climate in South Africa was more favorable than ever for effecting change, and Hendrik was not about to let the opportunity for sexual reform pass him by. In response to this deliberate rebuff, Hendrik, like a contemporary Martin Luther, compiled a document containing 99 demands for political, social and religious reform, and nailed it to the campus chapel’s door. These demands reiterated those he voiced at the Gay and Lesbian Pride March. One month later Hendrik conducted the marriage ceremony for the gay couple who had been refused access to the campus chapel, elsewhere, and caught the eye of the media, and the gay community. As a result, the Reforming Church became inundated by requests from gay couples who also wanted their relationships blessed in church. The document that he had nailed to the chapel door later became an essential discussion point in the embedding of sexual rights in the new South African constitution. After severing ties with the Dutch Reformed Church, Hendrik set up practice as a pastoral psychologist in the Louis Pasteur building in Pretoria. However, the accolades he received from the pro-gay camp for his activism was soon to be overshadowed by the infamy he had gained among right-wing Christians: his consultation rooms were plagued by bomb threats. For each threat the building had to be evacuated and the police’s dog-unit had to be hailed. Though all searches were in vain, the situation was so disruptive as to render productive work impossible. Hendrik was evicted and branded a security risk – his prospects for gaining financial independence were shattered. But this hurdle did not succeed in hampering his activist spirit. Facing unemployment, Hendrik turned to his career as writer and academic. He had already enrolled as doctoral student at the University of South Africa in 1990, when he received a grant to become the first person ever to study South African male sexuality –he now ceased the opportunity of committing primarily to this study. He also started work on a second book. In 1992 he published Sexual discrimination: the gay wardrobe. The book was disparaged and misrepresented by the media. As a result, a prominent local author, who, responding to a newspaper article that alleged Hendrik’s book implied that he was a homosexual, asked the court that further distribution of the book be interdicted. A Christian journalist also found the book blasphemous in that she concluded that a certain character was a metaphor for Hendrik, and that he was equating himself with Jesus. This was merely another futile hurdle placed on his path, and the event only served as another barometer reading of the anti-gay sentiment within the heart of society and the law. Hendrik continued working on his doctorate and finally completed his thesis in 1993, with the title ‘A pastoral-hermeneutical exploration of the gay archetype and archetypal actualization from a holographic-evolutionary paradigm’. The document, for copyright purposes, was never submitted to the University of South Africa, but instead to the Gay Research Council. He passed his exams at the University of South Africa by the end of that year. In his thesis Hendrik attempted to explain the origin and development of human sexuality with the aid of scientific principles such as evolution and that of biology. He showed that human sexuality was not a matter of concrete natural and moral suitability, but was, subconsciously, open-ended and diverse in its complexity. He argued that sexual behaviour patterns are stratified in our neurological systems, and society, through various mechanisms, clings to these archetypes. Hendrik’s change in academic approach and method, using the principles of science instead of theology reflected a more fundamental change of heart for Hendrik. His initial ambitions of becoming a scientist had always been in the background, but now resurfaced. He developed a more secular, but not entirely atheistic approach to life through his scientific studies, and his exposure to international perspectives. He eventually disconnected himself from the very church that he had established, and set out to become a contributor to the wellbeing of the gay community in general, irrespective of their religious convictions. By 1996 the stage was set for a new direction in Hendrik’s career. In an attempt to regain his financial independence, he, together with friend Johann May, decided to establish Santorini Property and Management Trust. Their main business cantered on managing a portfolio of corporation shares on the Nasdaq, and planning and financing property developments. As trustee of Santorini, Hendrik acquired a store of business skills. He learned to develop, finance and manage large international projects successfully, and, in effect, became a lawyer by experience. He compiled all documents, legal and non-legal, necessary for large-scale property developments, including business proposals, viability analyses, company statutes, administrative systems and manuals, and project roll-out schedules. For the better part of the next decade, Hendrik’s focus stayed on the world of business. He did however remain academically active, albeit to a lesser extent, through his involvement with the Gay Research Council, an international academic organization for gay studies. Hendrik had been involved with the Gay Research Council since 1988, and lead them as of 1994. He published regularly in their official journal, and presented papers to their members. In his first paper addressed to the Gay Research Council in 1988, Hendrik proposed the independent scientific discipline of gaytology. Gaytology can be defined as the scientific study of gay and lesbian sexuality, sexual behaviour and relationships. The significance of gaytology is that it removes the phenomenon of being gay from the haze of moral and theological condemnation, and places it on a par with heterosexual phenomena. Years later, in 2001, emerging from the business world as a dynamic project planner and manager, Hendrik felt enabled to give substance to his former academic ideas and theories. He felt the need to share gaytological knowledge with all of humanity in a concrete and accessible way. He proposed to do this through establishing the first ever gay encyclopaedia, which he subsequently named Gaykarta, meaning ‘gay strength’. Hendrik is the Executive Research Director of Gaykarta, and scientists from all over the world contribute articles toward the project. In 2002, the Gay Research Council dissolved after 55 years of gay academic research. An interim constitution for a new entity was signed, heralding the formation of Braxton University in 2005, the very first gay university in the world! Braxton University is a global, non-profit, institute of tertiary education, inspired by Hendrik’s academic work on advancing gaytology as a science, and the need for science to operate in a broader context when it comes to human sexuality. The university is in the process of building a campus in South Africa, and developing a curriculum for high quality education. Hendrik was elected Vice-Chancellor of Braxton University. Academic programmes will officially commence in 2008. As part of the Braxton University initiative, the Lyre foundation was established. Hendrik saw the need for individual scientists and intellectuals to be rewarded for their contribution to the liberation and enrichment of the gay community. Through his own involvement in the struggle for acceptance and freedom, he knows that the road is long and without relent, and that those who succeed, deserve the laurels of life. Currently, Hendrik serves as director and advisor for a number of companies and organizations. He provides a lot of material for Gaykarta, and spends much of his time coordinating the erection of Braxton University. When he is not travelling and conducting interviews, he tasks himself with writing his next book, ‘Sex on a String’, due for publication in 2009 In 1982 he finished his 1st year Bachelors of Science at the University of Pretoria after which he enrolled as theological student in 1983 and in 1985 graduated cum laude Bachelors of Art and in 1988 cum lauded Bachelors Divinitatis. He enrolled as doctorate student at the University of South Africa and passed his exams in 1993. He was awarded a professoriate and appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Braxton University in 1995. Publications and Speeches: 	“Homosexuality in Context.” Academic Dissertation, University of Pretoria, 1988. “Crossing the Scientific Rubicon: The Birth of A New Science.” Academic Paper delivered at the 50th Anniversary of the Gay Research Council in London on the 20th of November 1988 “Gay Liberation Theology.” Academic Paper delivered at the anniversary celebrations in Austria on the 28th of November 1988 “Gay hermeneutics.” Academic Paper delivered at the anniversary celebrations in Greece on the 1st of December 1988 In 1988 the moderator of the Dutch Reformed Churched accepted his BD with honours. The work entitled “Homosexuality in Context” was approved by Prof Johan Heyns. Although they didn’t recognize it at the time, the church approved the basis from which he would launch a public counterattack on church dogma regarding gayness that would cost them dearly. He was ordained as priest on the 18th November 1988. As gay minister in the Dutch Reformed Church he led the official national public gay revolt against the sexual doctrine and laws of both state and church with the publication of his pro-gay works. In 1990 he published the first ever gay liberation theology in Africa entitled “Being Gay: punishment or blessing?” This document helped to change the face of gay sexual politics on the African continent. His theology became known as the "Theology of the Fool", a theological theme running through his publications and thoughts. This initiated the start of his public involvement with the gay community. He made news headlines in more than 200 news media worldwide: “Never before…" and "Church slated…" rolled from printer presses for years. Putting the church and Prof. Heyns in the line of fire. On the 13th of October 1990 he co-led the first gay march on the African continent - shared the podium with Adv. Edwin Cameron, now constitutional Judge, and his friend and comrade, the late black activist, Simon Nkoli. He was advised by the security forces to withdraw from the march due to death threats and their inability to ensure his safety: He marched - and the rifles remained silent! Publications and Speeches: 	“The Gay Renaissance.” Public Paper delivered at the first gay march in Africa, Johannesburg, on the 13th of October 1990. He was crowned "Rising Star of the year" as guest speaker at the Standard Bank National Arts Festival on the 1st July 1990. Publications and Speeches: 	“Religion: The Quest for Relevance with specific reference to the Church and Homosexuality.” Academic Paper delivered at the Grahamstown Arts Festival, 1st July 1991. Soon afterwards he started with negotiations with the apartheid regime for sexual change. His demands included: •	revision of discriminating laws against gays; •	the scraping of all legislation against homosexual practices; •	reduction in the age of consent for boys to be on par with that of girls; •	the legalization of gay marriages, the right to adopt children; and the protection of gay rights in the constitution. He founded the first gay and lesbian church on African soil in 1990 known today as the Reforming Church. Pretorius today is a clinical evolutionary scientist and does not confess to the doctrines of any world religion. When he looks back on that period of his public life, he acknowledge that he couldn’t accept the death of God at that time, and substituted it with a contra-church. The mourning of the death of God was only in its first stage: denial. He initiated the practice of gay and lesbian marriages under furious protest of the apartheid and religious regimes of the time. His first book was published in 1990. Publications and Speeches: 	“Being Gay: Punishment or Blessing?”, Publication 1990 The church was floored: they accepted his Masters – he publicly used it against them, thereby creating a dilemma for the anti-gay church for accepting a pro-gay academic work. Professor Heyns, his academic moderator, and then Moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church, was shocked! The church retreated in defence. The roller coaster ride of protest continued with his Martin Luther act of reform when he nailed his political and theological demands to the doors of the church chapel at the University of Pretoria. This document later became the discussion point regarding sexual rights during the old Apartheid Regime. These historic documents are important historic evidence of early negotiations with the oppressive National Party Regime. His second book was published in 1990 - and withdrawn from bookstores by court interdict. Publications and Speeches: 	“Sexual Discrimination”, Publication, 1992 His house was vandalized shortly afterwards in angry protest by members of the church. He was forced from private practise from the Louis Pasteur Building in Pretoria following numerous bomb threats. Publications and Speeches: 	“A Pastoral-hermeneutical exploration of the gay archetype and archetypical actualization from a holographic-evolutionary paradigm.” Doctoral Thesis transferred to Braxton University for copyright purposes on the 1st of February 2004 for the degree Dth. Passed exams for Dth at Unisa on the 29th of November 1993; “Sexuality in The Old Testament,” Dth paper submitted for Dth at Unisa with promoter Viljoen HG. The church begged for mercy. Prof Heyns personally phoned to request removal of the debate from the public sphere. The public attack strategy of the Dutch reformed Church was clear: force him financially to a point of self-destruction. With the forced closure of his private practice, the banning of his second publication, and legal action instigated by the Dutch reformed Church to legally force him to repay his church bursaries, he started to feel the financial pressure. Guy Fawke's night November 5th: Bonfires, big bangs, the dazzle of Catherine wheels and the whoosh of rockets silenced the sound of the rifle shot that killed Prof. JA Heyns …assassinated from a tree outside his house in front of his grandchildren and wife …His promoter and the Moderator of the DRC was dead. The death of this (in private – liberal) man that he academically admired but publicly opposed brought an abrupt end to the aggressive phase of gay resistance. The question remains: was this liberal theological assassinated by conservative and rightwing members of the church, members of the inner circle of the “Brotherhood of the Puppet Masters” as revenge for accepting Pretorius’ pro-gay thesis and thereby causing great damage to the public image of the church? The case has not yet been solved. In 1994 he was nominated for parliament during the first democratic elections in South Africa. Publications and Speeches: 	“The Evolution of Gay Sexuality.” Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1994 The holographic-evolutionary paradigm. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1995 The neurophysiology of the gay archetype. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1996 The composition of the scientific discipline of Gaytology. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1997 Quantum Gaytology. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1998 Evolutionary Spirituality. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 1999 The influence of worldviews of sexual flux. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 2000 Gay Psychology. Journal of the Gay Research Council, 2001 With the publication of “Sex on a String” Pretorius finally comes to acceptance of the death of God and formulates the product of this epic journey, “Pinnacle Psychology”, as thesis of his scientific view from the apex, which he reached going from one pinnacle steppingstone (crest) to another. A complete library of original source material is available to his biographer. The original material, TV appearances, magazine and newspaper articles, publications, political speeches, academic writings, photos, and multimedia material are available for inclusion in the biography.