In his 80s, former Louisiana insurance chief Jim Brown reflects on his religious journey
Jim Brown grew up in St. Louis and first came to Louisiana to attend law school at Tulane in 1964. After graduating, he moved to Ferriday, 100 miles north of Baton Rouge.
Within five years, he was elected to the state Senate as a Democrat. From there, he was elected to two terms as secretary of state but lost the 1987 governor’s race won by Buddy Roemer. Brown made a comeback in 1991 by being elected as insurance commissioner.
He won reelection to that job two times, but stepped down in 2000 after being convicted related to the failure of an insurance company.
Brown spent six months in prison and wrote a book afterward proclaiming his innocence called “Justice Denied.” It was published by Lisburn Press, which he started in 2004.
“Jesus, Jews, Jihad & Me: My Jerusalem Journey” is Brown’s seventh book.
Why did you decide to write the book?
I’m 84 years old and thought I should evaluate my spirituality as I’m getting on in age. I happened to meet Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel at a grandparents’ gathering in New York for my grandkids. I asked him for advice, and he told me if I was serious about searching for a personal religious direction, I should go to where it all began, not only for Christians, for the Jewish faith but also for Muslims. He told me to go to Jerusalem. The book centers on my spiritual search but also looks at Jewish influences from the Old Testament to the confrontations in the Middle East today.
Where did you go in Israel?
My trip centered on my pilgrimage of rediscovering Christianity in my life, and I followed the path of Jesus Christ. I went to the river Jordan and baptized myself, just like Jesus did.
Why did you travel alone instead of traveling with a tour group?
Visiting with a Greek Orthodox priest at a site venerated as the place where Jesus was entombed.
I didn’t want to go as a tourist. I was there with a personal search. I didn’t want to get bogged down with other people. I didn’t want to get rushed. When I went to where Jesus gave his sermon on the mount, I spent most of the day there, meditating and thinking about my own life.
I walked the path that Jesus walked on his way to his crucifixion. Most tourists take about two hours to walk that path. I took 2½ days. I stopped at every religious commemoration. I went into each and every church to soak in the path that Jesus took.
There are commemorative sights and stories every 50 yards. I spent half a day with Maronite sisters in a monastery and talked about their religious commitment. I went to the St. James Cathedral (James was Jesus’ brother), which is along the path Jesus took toward his crucifixion. I’m named after St. James. My son is James, and my grandson is James. So I wanted to go where St. James is buried.
His body is split up. Some of it is buried in the St. James Cathedral. It was closed. My legs were exhausted from walking for three days. I had a driver with a golf cart.
He whispered to the guard, and he told me to give him 40 shekels. He bribed the guard to let me into the church. I hope the good Lord won’t hold that against me.
You left Israel just before Hamas launched missiles against Jerusalem as part of the Oct. 7 attack, right?
The missiles landed just a few hundred yards from where I had been staying at St. George’s College, a retreat center in Jerusalem. I learned of this just as I landed in New York City. I’m told I got the last commercial flight (that day) from Israel.
Has the trip changed your life in any way?
I was hoping the heavens would open and the Good Lord would reach down and say join me as a better Christian. That’s not realistic. I think what I’ve learned from discussing the trip with ministers is that maybe the signs are in how you lived your life. I’ve had highs and lows in my life. The highs dramatically outweigh the lows. Maybe I accomplished things thanks to a religious push. I had a successful life in politics. I’ve written seven books and 1,500 columns. I have a loving family. Maybe the good things in life are telling me that you’ve done a good job and keep doing it. The good news is that I’m not a once-a-week churchgoer anymore. I’m going to different churches to learn more about the Christian faith. I’m reading a number of books with religious ties. I’m making a better effort to be a committed Christian in my community.
Much of the nation was mesmerized by the Lindsey Clancy trial; the woman that strangled her three children. Her defense wanted an 11 member jury to decide. The judge said no. Unfortunately, this strong judicial commitment is often not found in Louisiana. I compare this trial to the Edwin Edwards trial in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Boxabove or by Clicking Here.
Standing at the foot of the World Trade Center that was destroyed at 9/11 At top. Below I’m talking over these terrible events with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Our next nationwide election is just two months away and absentee ballots through the mail are being prepared in numerous states all over the country. There are some projections that as many as 50% of voting will take place by mail. Not like how I remember the old days where people took pride on election day of taking their family to the polls and voting. Have we lost a sense of purpose and not participating on one special day? I write about this problem in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Boxabove or by Clicking Here.
Voting in recent elections seems to be at an all-time low. There are so many controversial issues on the ballot, and so many varying candidates, that you would think people would be chomping at the bit to go vote and express their opinion. But not so. One alternative, suggested by some of elections officials, is to make voting mandatory. You get fined if you don’t vote. Pretty extreme solution to a major problem. I talk about mandatory voting in this week’s column now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.
Drunk driving is a problem all over America. Particularly show in Louisiana. The rest of the country rolled their eyes at our drive-through daiquiri stands. And unfortunately, enforcing the DWI laws is quite lack here in the Bayou state. The laws are tough, but are not being enforced. I write all about this serious problem in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above or by Clicking Here.
There are so many good books to read. We suggest you check out our publication website at www.thelisburnpress.com. You’ll be surprised at the many choices.
Everybody, and I mean, everybody, has a reason why Louisiana pays the highest automobile insurance rates in the nation. It’s the lawyers, right? After all, they’re on TV, it seems, four or five times an hour. What about the insurance companies? They two run dumb TV ad, including an ostrich that runs around in circles. Well, there’s a whole litany of reasons why insurance rates are so high. I write about them in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Boxabove or by Clicking Here.
It’s been 60 years ago since I served as a captain in the United States Army. Quite a long time. Yet surprisingly, my military dress coat still fits. Maybe slightly tight, but I’m pleased to see that I’ve kept my weight down after all these years. I wish I were able to keep up as a sharp shooter and other talent back when I served in the Army.
If Edwin Edwards, Louisiana is longest serving governor, we’re alive today, he would be 99 years old. One would be hard pressed to find a politician with so many highs and lows in his career. It’s no secret that we were close political allies, but had our ups and downs as I ran against him for governor in 1987. I write about our relationship and the perception of him today in my new column now posted. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Boxabove or by Clicking Here.
Make sure above, with President John F. Kennedy, wearing a hat, is Governor Edwin Edwards and sunglasses. Quite a bit of history over the years.
Jessica, who is pictured with me at Barnes & Noble bookstore in Town Center,, Baton Rouge, help me show off my new book of poetry. First edition is running low, so if you want one, go to The Lisburn Press link on the left-hand column to order.
Some contradictions in living here in Louisiana. Our state is at the bottom of national lists. But in the be happy group, Louisiana eyes ranked toward the top. Quite a difference between here and New York. I write all about this in my new column now posted. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Boxabove or by Clicking Here.
Second lining in front of St. Louis Cathedral in the New Orleans French Quarter for a very special relative, Mrs. Gloria Newman. She lived a full life and passed away at 99 years. Two of my grandsons are with me for this special service.
Father Cleo, Milano of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church celebrated 43 years as a priest this week. He is a special gift to us here in Baton Rouge. We wish him 43 more years of service and good health.
With Major congressional elections soon to be held across the country, there continues to be allegations in the Press of widespread voter fraud. I know something about potential fraud since I served as Louisiana’s chief elections officer for eight years. So is there any truth to the charges that motor fraud is taking place in Louisiana other states? I talk about this. Why does Red concern in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Boxabove or by Clicking Here.
I wanted to share with my readers some information about a special new friend. Rev.Becca Stevens is a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, priest, survivor, and founder and President of Thistle Farms. She has founded 12 nonprofits and justice enterprises, mentored another 70, and has raised over $75 million to support them. Becca has authored 12 books and sold over 300,000 copies. She has served as chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel on Vanderbilt’s campus for almost 30 years. Becca has been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change, and holds seven honorary doctorates. It is a very special privilege to hear her speak on so many different subjects.
Criticism has been directed towards the South for decades. But far from slowing down, the attacks on the southern way of life continue to appear in northern publications across the country. Sure, we act to do a little different down here. But far from being out of sync, those of us living in the south may actually have, in many entrances, a much better quality of life. I write about this controversy that continues to be brewing in this week’s column. You can read it now by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.
Our national election to pick new members of Congress, along with many local officials is just months away. Can we expect anything different than the gridlock we have now? Unfortunately, it’s not encouraging. Neither Republicans nor Democrats seem to be very responsive to voters they are supposed to represent. I analyze this conflict in my new column now posted. You can read it by going to the Red Flashing Box above, or by Clicking Here.
A provocative look at the deepest of the deep southern states by two veterans of Louisiana politics. Thoughts that are informative, candid, humorous, and sometimes controversial about life in one of the most interesting and rabble-rousing states in the nation.
To hear Jim Brown’s new regular podcast, Click Here.
