life help: I am a new cleric of the Universal Life Church. - Help.com

Try your hardest?
:)
Give your one hundred percent.

Since nobody knows what a Universal Life Church is, the best start would be to meet people and explain to them.

be a gal wrote:
Since nobody knows what a Universal Life Church is, the best start would be to meet people and explain to them.

Yeah, be a gal really has a point.
You could start here. What is the Universal Life Church? :)

The Universal Life Church Monastery strongly believes in the rights of all people from all faiths to practice their religious beliefs, regardless of what those beliefs are, be they Christian, Jew, Gentile, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan, Wiccan, Druid or even Dignity Catholics; so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others and are within the law of the land and one’s conscience.

We ordain ministers, priests, rabbis and clergy worldwide who are totally non-religious or even anti-religious. This may seem contradictory, but we are looking to change the negative perceptions of religion, faith and spirituality, by encouraging people to take control, stand up and speak truth to power by fearlessly stating their personal religious beliefs. The ULC Monastery seeks to fulfill the spiritual needs of as many different groups as we can by offering a wide variety of services, ordinations, information and networking opportunities.

Is it the same as Unitarian?

No. From the breif research I’ve done Unitarian is strictly christian. The ULC encompases all religions, beleifs.

Oh neat. What responsibilities do you have as a cleric?

My duties include the freedom to perform weddings, perform baptisms or perform funerals, regardless of spiritual or religious denomination; In addition to any other religious services. Once I have a congregation, I will also be preaching.

Sounds like my advice would be to run. Run away.

The ULC seems to not believe in anything except believing whatever you want. That kind of basis has no interest in what is true, but only what the individual wants. That kind of thinking helps no one

I can see how you can come by that conclusion. However What the organization of the ULC does is allow people to become ordained clergy members for their beliefs. Everyone has their own beliefs, that will differ in some respect from everyone else. You walk into a catholic church, and ask their beliefs, then walk into a different catholic church, there will be differences.
Some of these differences are so much that they are a different ‘church’. By joining the ULC they can continue to practice their beliefs without having to register a new religion, with the state. They can become ordained and are then able to practice religious ceremonies legally. Perform binding marriages etc.

I think protection of the individual’s right to believe what they want is important. It is about letting people decide for themselves what is best or true instead of placing someone else’s ideas about what is right for them above their own ideas. The fact that they all practice together just means that they are capable of accepting that what is best for them might not be best for someone else. That seems nice. Truth might be easier to discover in an atmosphere that tolerates and encourages deciding for yourself what is true :)

Maybe you could practice giving speeches or take a public speaking class? That might build your confidence and communication skills.

sounds like you should stick around here and get into the trouble. how can we talk about religion without starting fights??! grrr!

I suppose that could be true.

I’m starting a new religion. I believe my God can be found in the aluminum tray of every Swanson tv dinner. May I join your church? How much money I give you?

Yes you can join the ULC. And no money is required to become ordained. Although I’m guessing you are trying to make fun, but if on the off chance you are serious google, the United Life Church.

The Universal Life Church is a dangerous cult.
And not really christian at all.
They train you in Wicca witchcraft, Paganism, Heathen Shamanism etc.

I have a few questions: if it is a monastery, how can you reach out to people to come to you? Monasteries are a secluded group of monks which means women are not allowed.
My other question is: what is your training and knowledge based on? Who gives you the right to ordain anybody or to perform weddings and funerals legally?
Forgive my misunderstanding but can you explain how a person believing in Wicca and another in Christianity would worship in one place? Worship what and who is the preacher, the one who believes in Satan or the one who believes in Jesus? I am confused.

First off I would like to clarify that wiccans do not worship satan.
The ULC is not one church (building) where multiple faiths worship in. the UCL is an organization that believes in freedom of religion. Previously Wiccans and other neopagans, and other (for lack of a better term) non-traditional, religions to be able to be recognized as a religion, and gain the benefits that are afforded to main stream religions.

I personally believe that no faith is perfect, since we are all Human. I believe that any faith that practices good will towards others as well as ones self is on a good and righteous pathway leading to Salvation.
Whether they practice Christianity, Wiccan, Druidism, Atheism, or other so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others and are within the law of the land and one’s conscience.

Each faith practices in there own way. In there own location.

And as for the monastery part of the title, I believe that is just part of the name. No genders are exempt from joining.

So how are you going to practise your beliefs in freedom of religion? I heard some denominations organize a multifaith dialogue in one of the religious buildings which works right there and then but when the meeting is over, nothing much is accomplished. I agree with the idea of respecting each others’ beliefs. Are you going to visit each religious buildings when they worship or setting up a multifaith dialogue?

Some of the other members have set up non denominational churches, where any may go to practice. Now I assume that these are primarily for Christian, or monotheistic members, but any would be welcome. I personally have not decided what I am going to do yet, though it will likely be the same.

But I think that you may not understand correctly. Each religion would have it’s own minister/ congregation. The ULC just allows them to legally perform the duties of clergy members that they normally would not be able to do.

JRoulston wrote:
First off I would like to clarify that wiccans do not worship satan.

you’re gonna have to do a lot of that here. there is a lot of ignorance toward non-traditional religions here.

also… understandably so, you’re a bit threatening to the dominant religious hegemony as you are legitimizing fringe religions which in turn attract devotees from the (failing) established religions.

also… isn’t it kind of hard to have you’re own religion (and in doing so, choosing it as the best) and at the same time tolerating alien faiths? It’s like saying to them… you can believe that if you want, but it’s not as good as what I believe.

I don’t think so. Maybe others do, I don’t know. As I have already posted my beliefs are:

That no faith is perfect, since we are all Human. I believe that any faith that practices good will towards others as well as ones self is on a good and righteous pathway leading to Salvation.

How people do that may be different, but it all leads to Salvation.

“

JRoulston wrote:
Some of the other members have set up non denominational churches, where any may go to practice. Now I assume that these are primarily for Christian, or monotheistic members, but any would be welcome. I personally have not decided what I am going to do yet, though it will likely be the same.”

So after all it will be in some building you will practise?

“But I think that you may not understand correctly. Each religion would have it’s own minister/ congregation. The ULC just allows them to legally perform the duties of clergy members that they normally would not be able to do.

Now I am even more confused. Are you saying that let’s say Catholic priests will be allowed to marry in your church because it is what they are not able to do; or rabbies will start eating pork because in your church they will be able to? And if these clergy made a solemn oath to become what they believe in why would they want to go to an unknown and dubious “church” to practise what they normally not be able to in their own churches? What is there what they are not able to practise and where do you have the authority to give these people to do what you think they are not able to in their own? Where do they do such thing in their own religious buildings or where? I thought they were able to legally marry and bury people. Please explain what you mean.

So after all it will be in some building you will practise? Sorry this was my question but it was added to your response by mistake.

JRoulston wrote:
That no faith is perfect

that sounds reasonable to me, but I think that most religious folks believe their religion *is* perfect. and when people do have such strong convictions… some will even put their religious ideas before friends, science, even their own common sense.

Also, I know only two religions who believe in salvation: Jews and Christians. You said it all lead to salvation. Please explain.

Salvation = deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.

And theoretically yes a catholic priest could marry, or a rabbi eat pork, if their beliefs dictate so, however they would in essence be starting a new sect of Catholicism/ Judaism within the ULC. However they could also do so within their own religion. As there are already sects of Catholicism that allow their priests to marry. (and no I cannot name one off the top of my head)
And in both of these situations they could already perform religious ceremonies.

As an example Years ago my Grandmothers Pentecostal church, had slightly different beliefs than the rest of the Pentecostal assembly. They broke off, The pastor then could not perform legally binding marriages, etc. because his credentials were through the Pentecostal assembly. Now they went through the process to found a new religion, and as such, the pastor regained his credentials.

Theoretically they could have joined the ULC (their beliefs would not have allowed it) and been able to immediately regain the necessary credentials, without having to form a new church.
To this day they still have only the one congregation, which is slowly dwindling.

What training did you have to do to become a ULC priest?

I myself am in Canada, so I would recommend going to http://www.universallifechurch.ca/

If you are in the US or another country try http://www.themonastery.org/

These are linked sights, and should answer your questions.

Yes, I heard about Catholic women being ordained secretly in Europe to become priests. But that didn’t make them join ULC to do that. In fact by being ordained like that is how they made their points.
Yes, I heard about rabbis eating non-kosher food at home (not all of course) but that didn’t make them join ULC to do that.
What my concern here is that ULC has no credentials or support whatsoever so it will be as hard to establish yourself as let’s say Jesus’ arguments with the Pharisees.

be a gal wrote:
What my concern here is that ULC has no credentials or support whatsoever so it will be as hard to establish yourself as let’s say Jesus’ arguments with the Pharisees.

I dont Understand what you are saying. The ULC has the same legal standing as any worldwide religious institution. and we have more than 18 million member worldwide.

I looked at the sites you sent but once again I feel that it is a living room operation scam. I don’t believe anyone who strongly feels committed to become a religious leader in any religion would bother to use your site you created from your apartment. Nonendless, good luck in your endevour and be careful. Scam artists are caught sooner or later!

I signed off from this site. I don’t waste my time anymore.

Hello :) I don’t know why you’re being attacked. Lets just chalk it up to fear and forgive them. So how did you come to decide to be a part of this church?

verge wrote:
Hello :) I don’t know why you’re being attacked. Lets just chalk it up to fear and forgive them. So how did you come to decide to be a part of this church?

probably boredom

I have always had this feeling to be a spiritual leader. However I have never been to any church, coven, or other religious gathering, where my beliefs were the same as the congregation. After doing some research I came across the ULC. The ULC gives me the opportunity to follow my beliefs, be a spiritual leader, and legally be able to perform religious ceremonies.
All in all it was just for me.

Cool. I’m glad you found the perfect job.

If you dont mind my asking, what are your thoughts/ beliefs?

I personally don’t believe in anything like God or spirits or anything magic. I wouldn’t say I’m sure God doesn’t exist of course, but in my quest to find scientific explanations for all that I’m curious about, the idea of God hasn’t been very important to me. I fully respect everyone’s right to believe what they will when they believe things, like you earlier mentioned, that advocate goodness. I think that many religions were created by people in an attempt to both better understand their surroundings and allow people to live more peacefully together, two motivations I can fully appreciate. I guess the only way I could possibly be considered spiritual is for the faith I have in mankind and love in general. I hope you aren’t disappointed :)

Not at all. I have many friends who believe similarely. I was like that for a time as well (even though I wanted to be a spiritual leader).
Something that you may find interesting is this site: http://www.themonastery.org/guide-to-…

Thank you. That was nice of you to share, but the whole thing about me is I really don’t have faith in either the absence or presence of higher powers. The link you provided makes non belief in God into a religion which I think is odd though I know some zealous atheists who maybe could be described as having faith in the nonexistence in God, but God, as horrified as so many people would be to hear this, simply isn’t important to me so far because I’m curious about figuring as much about the world as I can in order to live happily in it. God isn’t important to this goal because as so many religious people assert, God can’t be fully understood by humans.

Fair enough. It is rare to find someone who truely knows what they beleive. I must say that I respect and admire you for your knowledge of your self.

Well thank you very much :)
You already described your beliefs, but just out of curiosity, do you believe anything else?

I believe that there is a pantheon of gods/ goddesses, however there is one all powerful god who is above the others (not like Zeus and the greek pantheon). Also that there is a close relationship between nature and the metaphysical.

Very interesting :)
So you believe in pretty much all of the gods of religions around the world and one all powerful God?
Your idea about the relationship between nature and the metaphysical is neat. I think that there are probably a few things that humans would consider magical that could be explained by the weird laws of nature, which is almost the same thing.

JRoulston. Exactly how do you plan on making money? Seriously. You have no credentials other than maybe a piece of paper that some might say you found in a box of CrackerJacks. I mean, I like the fact that you are all-encompassing to all religions. How accepting of you. But I seriously doubt you want to have the KKK sitting and intermingling with Black Panthers and Jews sitting with Muslims without some fist-t-cuffs being thrown. Are we wanding everybody that comes in the doors checking for weapons…??

I’m just guessing people who don’t like the tolerance that his church stands for generally don’t join.

And the ULC makes monies the same way any other religion does, tithes, offerings, donations. Many of the ministers also charge a fee for marriages, etc.
As I’ve tried to explain the ULC is an organization that allows people to practice their beliefs. Each belief group would practice individually.
As for the Black Panthers they are not a religion, they are a political group.
And the KKK would not join based on their beliefs.

A few outakes from a recent article on ULC.
“The Universal Life Church is no stranger to litigation and legal controversy which should not come as a surprise. Virtually anyone who wants to be an ordained minister simply fills out an easy application and within days receive their credentials, no questions asked.”

“The church began mail-order ordinations in 1962 which allows people, regardless of spiritual belief, to legally perform weddings, baptisms, funerals, laying-on of hands and other ministerial services. So far, the church has issued about 18 million ordinations worldwide. Church staff reviews requests and then issues credentials with accompanying documentation. The organization also offers educational courses and sells ministerial supplies.”

“Since its’ founding, Universal Life Church has been the center of much controversy. According to Hensley, thousands became ordained in the 1960s to avoid the draft. One hundred thousand ordinations were done in 1969 alone, he continued. However, in the 1980s the Internal Revenue Service cracked down on ordained ministers who established churches simply to avoid paying taxes. Many mainstream churches have questioned whether Universal Life Church ordinations are legitimate. The senior Hensley [founder], for example, was arrested for issuing Doctorate of Divinity degrees in a state claiming it violated theireducational code.
Reverend Kirby Hensley was raised as a Christian in North Carolina. He never learned to read or write.”

From, http://jy3502.hubpages.com/hub/Views-…

If it acts like a cult. I will let others draw their own conclusions. But I seriously doubt you have won any new converts by posting here.

I’m not trying to convert anyone. If you read my initial post you would see that I am asking for advice.

The name of this site is “Help.com” and yet nothing that you have posted has been in response to my request for help.
I respect your right to believe what ever you want; and if you believe that the ULC is a cult than so be it.

Now I will not deny that some people have joined for non religious reasons, but there are millions of people, ordained and not, who follow their beliefs: the same as any other religious organization.

Also I could easily go online and find similar derogatory statements, and cases of arrest, for virtually every other major religious organization out there.

southern_comfort, IP wrote:
A few outakes from a recent article on ULC.
“The Universal Life Church is no stranger to litigation and legal controversy which should not come as a surprise. Virtually anyone who wants to be an ordained minister simply fills out an easy application and within days receive their credentials, no questions asked.”

“The church began mail-order ordinations in 1962 which allows people, regardless of spiritual belief, to legally perform weddings, baptisms, funerals, laying-on of hands and other ministerial services. So far, the church has issued about 18 million ordinations worldwide. Church staff reviews requests and then issues credentials with accompanying documentation. The organization also offers educational courses and sells ministerial supplies.”

“Since its’ founding, Universal Life Church has been the center of much controversy. According to Hensley, thousands became ordained in the 1960s to avoid the draft. One hundred thousand ordinations were done in 1969 alone, he continued. However, in the 1980s the Internal Revenue Service cracked down on ordained ministers who established churches simply to avoid paying taxes. Many mainstream churches have questioned whether Universal Life Church ordinations are legitimate. The senior Hensley [founder], for example, was arrested for issuing Doctorate of Divinity degrees in a state claiming it violated theireducational code.
Reverend Kirby Hensley was raised as a Christian in North Carolina. He never learned to read or write.”

From, http://jy3502.hubpages.com/hub/Views-…

If it acts like a cult. I will let others draw their own conclusions. But I seriously doubt you have won any new converts by posting here.

So a child molester could apply to become oafishly ordained as a minister of The Universal Life Church then have access to our offspring without anyone bothering to see if it’s safe for our children to be with this Minister?

Ministers/ priests, etc have been arrested for child molestation in other churches as well, so your statement seems redundent

actually i don’t know about Universal Life Church enough but i think Zirbel said correctly,just run away form Universal Life Church.

*Fairytale* wrote:
actually i don’t know about Universal Life Church enough but i think Zirbel said correctly,just run away form Universal Life Church.

“what is it?”
“I don’t know!”
“It must be terrible then!”
“It must be horrible!”
“I bet it will try to eat our children!”
“I bet it has a ravenous appetite for human souls!”
“Look, it’s coming this way!”
“Run! Run! Run! For God’s sake, run away!”

I think I read a story about this one time. oh yeah. it was called The Crucible.