John V. Wilmerding (Religious Society of Friends)

Submitted: Wed, 24 May 1995 16:36:22 -0400 (EDT)

John V. Wilmerding
Friend
Religious Society of Friends
111 High Street
Brattleboro, VT  05301-3018
USA

Phones:   802-254-2826 (home)
          802-254-5911 (work)
FAX:      802-257-2820
Email:    jwlmrdng@doc.state.vt.us

John V. Wilmerding, Jr., earned his MBA in Arts Administration from
the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1981, where he
obtained the School of Management's first-ever international
internship placement with the International Music Council (IMC-
UNESCO) in Paris, France.  He is interested in formal graduate
studies in Religion.

Wilmerding's work in vocal (sacred & secular) music, musicology,
songwriting, poetry, and other religion-related artistic forms,
combined with his dedication to one of Christianity's 'dissenting'
traditions (Quakerism), has led him to research some of the early
linguistic manifestations of religious belief in Sanskrit, Aramaic,
Hebrew, and Arabic.  He is lately conducting research into the
comparative linguistics (phonetics) of early religious verbal and
artistic expressions, comparing some of their insights and 'revela-
tions' to current-day religious concepts and practices.
Wilmerding's current inquiry is into the earliest known written
names and 'titles' for God, and for 'gods' in the early pantheons
of the tribes and nations of the Middle East.  He is sharing the
fruits of his work with others in the Religious Society of Friends.
A secondary (but perhaps longer-term) academic interest is relig-
ious intolerance through the ages, and in correlating manifesta-
tions of intolerance with socio-political-economic upheavals.
Suggestions for research on these topics are welcome.

Wilmerding's recent publications include a series of four Quaker
tracts (500-1000 words each) on the historical and linguistic-
religious origins of the terms: Shalom Salaam Muslim Moslem Islam
Salem.  These works are available via email upon request.

Wilmerding's international travels, musical performances, and
studies in languages, comparative religions, religious artistic
expression (music), and related fields have included sojourning and
extended stays in Austria (Salzburg, Vienna), Belgium (Brussels),
Canada (Ottawa, Toronto), the Caribbean (Virgin Islands), Denmark
(Aarhus, Copenhagen), England (London and Dorset), France (Paris),
Germany (Berlin, Braunschweig, Munich), Netherlands (Amsterdam),
Poland (Warsaw), Rumania (Bucharest), Russia (Moscow), Slovakia
(Bratislava), Sweden (Stockholm), Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich), and
Tunisia (Tunis, Tabarka).  He is fluent in French and German, and
conversant in Spanish.