Universal Life Church

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Do you have a problem with authority?

The Universal Life Church is known for its willingness to ordain anyone, no questions asked. A lot of people think it must be some sort of tax-scam or joke. But it's not.

First, there aren't any tax advantages of being ordained. The only legal benefit you gain from that is the ability to perform marriages. Second, I know a lot of Universal Life ministers, and they are sincere, spiritual people.

So what's it all about? Read on...

Beliefs 

The Universal Life "doctrine" is simple.

The Universal Life Church has two fundamental beliefs: Everyone has a right to freedom of religion, and people should do what they think is right.

No one has the right to threaten you with eternal damnation if you don't agree with them, or promise you eternal happiness. There are far too many people inventing gods trying to save your soul.

Become a ULC Reverend and you are free to believe whatever you please.

Is it Christian? 

What do you think?

The Universal Life Church is as Christian as you want it to be. Or as Buddhist. Or as Jewish, or Pagan, or Jedi. It's completely open to all paths, and after all, our paths are each unique, aren't they?

Some of us are truly Interfaith, which is to say that we don't subscribe to any one religious system. And some of us (like me) are atheists.

The church is open to all paths, and no path at all.

It ordains all comers, without a test of faith.

Isn't that refreshing?

Can I ordain my dog? 

No.

Sincerity, remember? And authenticity?

You can ordain any willing person. You can't ordain your computer, your dog, your left shoe, or any other non-consenting thing. You can go through the motions, but it will not be valid, and it will be a waste of time.

The God Delusion 

The God Delusion

The God Delusion

by: Richard Dawkins

Amazon Price: $17.82 (as of 12/19/2009) Buy Now

The First Amendment 

From the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution

This is what the founders of this country had to say about what counts as religion. Note that it applies to the states now as well as congress. (Since the War Between the States.)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

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Are you a Universal Life Minister? 

Would you like to be?

Drop a line to say hello! And if you like this page, please scroll up and click on the stars to rate it!

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  • Reply
    malcolm malcolm Oct 30, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
    When you read other religion, or any religion, it is always how each person views it. You said jesus said, really thats just what they say he said. Or maybe he was saying though his teaching. he also said the church was in us, so if the church is of god then though ourself we are with god.
    everyone could get along if they would realise that god is every god, just different areas of the world.
  • Reply
    steve olsxewski steve olsxewski Oct 26, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
    do people get away with paying income taxes in new jersey with this ordination or is this only for priest and ministers of other churches.
  • Reply
    Bolaji Bolaji Aug 11, 2009 @ 2:22 am | in reply to KimberlyDawnWells
    U should tell them the church that ordained u and they will take u more serious.
  • Reply
    JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Jul 25, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
    Hmmm, well thinking about the beliefs, "Everyone has a right to freedom of religion, and people should do what they think is right." Yes, everyone should have a freedom of religion and freedom of the press.
  • Reply
    ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids May 21, 2009 @ 8:22 am
    You can get ordained online so easily these days that so many people are doing it. In fact it's so popular it was featured on a popular dramatic TV show just last week. It's almost becoming a fad right now so you should go a little further with this niche. Great lens! 5 stars!
  • Reply
    Paul Paul May 15, 2009 @ 9:30 am
    Look who else is ordained,, Among them, the Beatles
  • Reply
    mulberry mulberry Apr 20, 2009 @ 11:43 am | in reply to indian-paintbrush
    If people don't push their religion on others or rule with it, then there is no reason for chaos to result because we have different religions. Religion separates us only when we use it to say "we are right, you are wrong, we go to heaven, you don't" and so forth.
  • Reply
    DimitriPreacher DimitriPreacher Apr 10, 2009 @ 11:23 am
    No, I am not
  • Reply
    indian-paintbrush indian-paintbrush Mar 15, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
    Hi,

    The problem I see with all 'paths' and religions being equal is that it is not possible if there is any real truth.

    What I mean is..........the doctrines in different religions collide. They cannot all be true.

    For instance, Jesus said "No one cometh to the Father but by Me." So, if another religion teaches another way to God, they cannot both be the truth.

    Either Jesus was telling the truth or He was lying.

    I wish we could all just find a religion that suits us and what lets us choose what we decide is the 'way', what we think is 'truth'. But, therein is the conflict again. What I think is the truth and what you think is the truth will ultimately conflict. So, with six billion people on the planet right now, there could ultimately be six billion 'truths'. All conflicting on some level. Mass chaos and confusion.

    It also seems very convenient to me to just find a religion (or not) that allows us to do what we want, without us ever being wrong.

    Just some thoughts.
  • Reply
    david dees david dees Jan 31, 2009 @ 12:05 am
    how long does it take to be ordained and get certificate once your done with payment
  • Reply
    david dees david dees Jan 31, 2009 @ 12:02 am
    how long does it take to be ordained and then how long for certificate
  • Reply
    ninbroken52 ninbroken52 Jan 23, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
    i found that a bit confusing at first. i believe there was a split in the church. as i understand it, i BELIEVE the monostary branched off from the headquarters. but don't hold me in stone on that! i went with going directly through www.ulchq.com. [in reply to marv]
  • Reply
    marv marv Oct 23, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
    I found all of these to be ULC sites ? www.ulc.org;blog.themonastery.org; universalchurchoflife.org; www.getordained.org; u-l-conline.org www.ulcdirectory.net
    How many ULC's are there?
  • Reply
    Graham Louden Graham Louden Aug 21, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
    I was ordained into the ULC some months ago (via the ULC Seminary) and have found it a most enriching experience. The Seminary offers very reasonable courses to follow and much support via regular newsletters and online resources. Belonging need not cost a penny (or cent!) so there is certainly no element of a money-making enterprise. Curiously, once ordained the effect is to make one feel that it is a beginning rather than an end and that one has to justify it by examining one's life and beliefs so as to be able to discharge the responsibility towards others more effectively.
  • Reply
    spirituality spirituality May 3, 2008 @ 3:35 am
    I like that the Universal Life Church is so open to people from whatever faith. A bit like the theosophical Society.

    And no, I'm not ordained.
  • Reply
    mulberry mulberry Apr 17, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
    mmm, maybe I've finally found the right "church" for me.
  • Reply
    fefe fefe Mar 16, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
    I think Joey from Friends was ordained by them.
  • Reply
    F.K.Gottschling F.K.Gottschling Mar 14, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
    Believe in a higher power may save us all.
  • Reply
    LindaJM LindaJM Jul 31, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
    I'm a ULC minister, though I've never used it to do a wedding yet.
  • Reply
    Henri Henri Jul 2, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
    I just get ordained. However, I can't order my credential. :( Boohoo to me. Hope they will fix the problem fast.
  • Reply
    Henri Henri Jul 2, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
    I just get ordained. However, I can't order my credential. :( Boohoo to me. Hope they will fix the problem fast.
  • Reply
    BFuniv.com BFuniv.com Feb 25, 2007 @ 11:44 am
    My daughter has a ULC ordination, and I've considered one for myself. At BFU we are all for freedom and making up your own mind. enjoy
  • Reply
    Feb 8, 2007 @ 9:14 am
    I never got to know if my ordination was valid in Quebec...I really get smiles when I tell people I'm a minister :)
  • Reply
    KimberlyDawnWells KimberlyDawnWells Jan 11, 2007 @ 8:51 am
    People always thought I was joking when I told them I was an ordained minister... ;)
  • Reply
    AngelaHarms AngelaHarms Jan 10, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
    Not even Skidboot. Sorry.

    Rick, Unknowable is right. I think we can get glimmers though.
  • Reply
    Jan 10, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
    What about Skidboot? :)
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Lewis Smile is a work-at-home Internet Man, and has many different websites and blogs. He likes to write things to help other people, and he hope you... (more)

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