Religious Philosophy

RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY

RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHY

Organized Religion – Cults Faith need not be organized; but, when it is, we know these organizations as either "religions" or "cults". There is process by which faiths become organized into religions, as well as the true meaning of that often abused term "cult". Even Apes  morn the dealth of  a lost one but it does mean that they pray and community with a deity.

.   Five factors needed to assisting in determining a religion is a cult

• Does the group have a charismatic, powerful leader (or leaders)?
• Does it display a group mentality that denies individuality and personal, independent thought?
• Is there a denial of intimacy by excluding or alienating friends and relatives?
• Do they apply financial pressure and abuse for the welfare of the group, even at the personal expense of the adherent?
• Is there a separation and isolation from the surrounding community?

      United states Marine Corp embodies most of the Five characteristics.

1.      The group ha a leader  who is powerful and ,mostly very Charismatic ability to draw people to him.

2.      .Family and friend can not be with you little to no communication may be hade  while in training The Marine's often  outside of the community often they live in housing on base and associate with only other Marine's  Are they then called a cult?  The answer is no, their leader can be changed by simple public option.

    Catholic church embodies most of the Five Characteristics

1.      Let us look at the Catholic Church Yes they have the POP as the  right hand  of  God.

2.      The Church laws and by laws must be adhered to by all or you could be removed from the church ex-communicated.

3.       Since the beginning the church has told poor that it was best they be poor and the Lord's House remain well taken care of as well as though Priest, bishops, etc… men that served the church.

4.      They believe that their teachings are the only acceptable teachings for good Catholics. They built nunneries and monastery. So yes the Catholic Church has taught a separation between its clergy and the followers. So by these standards we could address the Catholic Church a cult.

In my attempt to be understand cults and much of what religion is. Through this course I've found great  flows in the belief system. First off for one to determine that  a group is a cult one must be willing to inspect their beliefs system.  Not by assume based on some on the fact that they do not worship as we do or pray as we do.  Christ himself who was Jew did many things that upset the church and made them feel threatened by him and his followers.  Where they cult leaders?  Christ spoke of love for my fellow man and for myself. He spoke of a relationship between himself and the heavenly Father.  So Christ might in this day and time be considered a Colt leader, by some. But that would be true for he did not see fame for himself, nor was he about keeping people isolated from the world. The bible tells that foxes have hold, but the son of man does not even have a rock to lay his head upon.  I have learned because we address or label any religious group a cult let take the time to study them and discover what they really belive. Cause even with  Christ would have been considered a cult leader, he taught opposite of what the Jewish figureheads had been teaching. 

We have called the Jewish un Christians, The Baptist say that the Catholics are going hell and they are a big cult. All these things I heard in my church as kid and believe them without any proof.  I have learned that we are quick to label other because they believe or speak different. Men like Karl Marx felt religion in itself was nothing more than a excuse. A way to explain those things that seemed to have no other explanation.  We see that religion as we know today has grown into present day meaning.  From The Latin word religiō referred to an obligation or bond. Most linguists believe that this was derived from the Latin verb religāre, meaning "to tie back". Gradually, the meaning evolved until it came to mean 'a tie between humans and the gods'. After the legalization of Christianity in Rome during the early 4 th century, a shift occurred with regard to what was meant by 'the gods'. When the ancient Jovian religion (Roma religio) predominated in the Empire, it was clear that 'the gods' referred to the members of the Jovian pantheon: Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, et cetera . Later, as Christianity supplanted it, Deity came to generally be accepted as referencing the God of the Jews and Christians: Jehovah, or Yahweh (same God; just different English renderings of the Hebrew).

As a result, religāre came to be refer to as a formal tie between devout Christians and their God. The people who exemplified this formal tie were the monks and nuns of the monastic communities. So, from the 5th century, for roughly a thousand years, religion (the Old French form of the word) referred solely to the monastic life.

In other words, the only truly religious people in mediæval Europe were those living in a monastery or nunnery — those who had devoted their entire lives to the church — those who had 'tied themselves to God'. Then, around the 16 th century, the term began to take on a wider, broader meaning.

It was during the 16 th century that our modern meaning for religion finally came into use. Initially, this was the service, worship, devotion and faithfulness to God (or 'the gods'). But, that was a "western" view — one perhaps accepted within Christianity, Judais.m and Islam, but not necessarily applicable to numerous other worship systems around the world.   The world cult

Was used in the book of Genesis by Abraham, so this is not a new word to us. Determining what trul can be classified as cult is not as easy. The Five questions proposed to test if a church or religious group are real or just a cult .  After having taken this course I've learned that such words as cult is not just a label to place thing that we do not agree with or do not understand. For me I leave this class with a greater understanding of the great need to respect others faith. It is obvious to me if a faith does not harm cause harm to the greater then we can not address them as cult because our teachings at youth said if others don't think or worship like we do then they are not saved.  I have no crystal ball to determine which faiths are right and which one will find true peace, I realize I must embrace each one and learn determine for myself what is right and wrong.

Rev. Willis Henry

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 
 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.  
 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
   

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SHAMANISM

SHAMAN COURSE ESSAY BY: Rev. Michele Gordon The term "Shaman" has always held a negative connotation for me, as it is a term that has been frowned upon by my Ojibwe (Anishinabe) culture. It has always held a meaning of "western new-age people" who want to take from the Native culture and use it in a way that goes against our values. So taking this course has been very helpful to me, in regard to looking at things in another way. I do not expect that those in my culture will ever see the word "Shaman" and not think negatively, however. The course began with much talk and discussion regarding using mind-altering and mood-altering chemicals to enhance one's shamanic gifts. In my experience, however, those who we call "Medicine People" and "Spiritual Healers" are not people who would even consider doing this. I have always been aware of the Native American church, and the use of peyote, in the western tribal areas, and also the Lakota and Sioux tribes who might use mushrooms, etc. However, in our way, the Ojibwe manner, it would be against the values of the healer, or medicine person, to utilize chemicals in any way. There is a great sense of pride in being "sober and clean" and this would certainly be looked down upon in the community. I have a personal belief about cannabis, marijuana. I believe all plants are from the Creator, and are here to help in some way. For example, it has been found that even poison Ivy is helpful to those with rheumatoid arthritis. But for healthy people, it is best avoided. I believe the same for marijuana: it is there for sick people, those with AIDS or cancer, and those afflicted with these illnesses who cannot keep food down. It has been found to help people with these things. It has also been seen to help with chronic pain in people. So, the Creator has a plan for this plant, but it is NOT for healthy people to use, in my beliefs. It is interesting to note how states are now looking at legalizing this plant, for medicinal purposes. I am a psychotherapist in private practice, in Duluth, MN. I am just about done with my Ph.D. in the philosophy of Natural Health, through Clayton College of Natural Health. I use natural healing ways in my work as a therapist, and have for years now. I am a Reiki Master, and use this method of healing for many people who come to see me. I also practice meditation and hypnosis (I have been trained in both these practices). I find that they are very healing and helpful for people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, pain and trauma (PTSD). I also practice some Qi Gong and Tai Chi, and use these methods to help people as well. I consider them "healing ways". So I was glad to see the course address these ways in the text. As an Ojibwe (Anishinabe) grandmother who carries a pipe, I have come to see the power of prayer as a healer. Also ceremony. I facilitate a full moon ceremony on a monthly basis for women from all walks of life. Sometimes we have 3 or 4 of us, sometimes we have 10 or more women attend! Each of these ceremonies is full of music, use of smudging and the 4 main medicines in our culture, (Tobacco, Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass). We pray under Grandmother Moon, near an outdoor fire, in all kinds of Northern Wisconsin weather! We pray for ourselves, our families, those gone to the Spirit World, and all peoples of the Earth. We pray for the Earth too, and all the creatures of the Earth, including the plants and rocks. We know that women's time is the night, and so this time of prayer is very powerful. I believe whenever women gather in a circle, there is great power. I believe trance state and meditation are very powerful states for healing and I use these for myself regularly, and also with my clients. I have attended many doctorings by Medicine men, and have been doctored myself. I know that these ways are healing ways too, just as Reiki is. I believe we need all these healing ways to help ourselves and others in this most difficult time for our Mother Earth. She also needs healing and that is why we pray for her as well. I agree that one does not refer to oneself as a "shaman". It is up to the community to name those who are healers and medicine people. The truth of this will always come out, and these people will be sought after for their gifts. When I was first given my pipe, for example, I doubted that I was worthy and I doubted that anyone would call me to come and pray with them, as I was told they would. However, the spiritual people who gifted me with the pipe and gave me that message were right. I have been called often to help with those needing prayer and ministering to. I consider it a privilege and an honor to go and be with people who call. I am but the tool and the carrier of the pipe, which has a Spirit. It is that Spirit that is a healer for those who call. It is a humble thing for me. I liked the part about all the plants still waiting to be discovered on the Earth, for healing. I have a friend who dreams of healing plants and then can find them in the woods, and use their healing powers. I do not have that gift. I respect all our plants and the medicines they have. I also know that they need to be protected from over-use by those who would take them all away. That is why many Medicine People will not share their secrets. I also liked that the course addressed etiquette and ethics for healers. This is so important. It becomes known who one can trust in each community, I have found, but we still need to be held accountable. I also liked the message to people going for healing and how to act and behave when there. Many do not know these simple things. In our way, one always brings tobacco as a main gift. It is our way of prayer, and always goes "first". Gifts are also given, and these can be many things. I am glad to have taken this course, and to have been able to respond in this way with ULC and the staff there. *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Paganism

Universal Life Church Seminary Paganism for a New Age Final Essay by Rev. Justin Oles Having been a practicing pagan for several years I decided to take this course for three reasons, none of which were to actually learn anything new. I took it to see what kind of courses and what quality of courses ULC Seminary offered, to reaffirm the ideals and beliefs that I had already had and ultimately as a step towards completing the ULC Seminary Program. Having taken the course I can honestly say I learned some new things that I had not originally thought I would. After practicing for almost ten years and doing a fair amount of research on my own I thought I knew a fair amount. However, I discovered through the course that there are far more faiths and ideologies than I though and that the ideals held by some of those groups are very different from my own. Lessons 15 and 16 for example which cover the "Great Rite" brought out some differences in the way I see things as a Druid versus the way that Wiccans; of all sects, not just traditional Gardnerians, see things. The course also brought about some thinking on my part and led me you set new goals for myself. Lesson 20, Daily Life, for example pushed me towards creating the goal of implementing things more in my daily life instead of just on the major holidays. Now I'll admit that my life isn't as easy to fit some of those things in as the authors was but I feel that I can do quite a bit towards implementing my faith and rituals more into daily activities. Some of the things mentioned are things I already did while others were things I had never even thought off. In short, while I went into this course feeling that I wouldn't truly learn anything and that is was just a simple step on the way toward my goal; I discovered a wealth of knowledge and view points I hadn't seen before, which caused me to open my mind a little further and refreshed my thirst for knowledge. *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Shamanism  Final Essay by Chris Goin The value of studying shamanism is to learn how we can use it to help others, and the earth heal today. Even though different types of shaman are recognized throughout the world, many of their healing techniques are universal. Some shamans specialize in healing the body, some specialize in healing the mind, some specialize in healing the spirit, either before or after the physical life. Yet others recognize that you can't heal one without healing the others. Shamans often help someone heal by entering an Altered State of Consciousness (ASC). They enter this state by drumming, singing, chanting, meditating, fasting, dancing, using entheogens, and more. During the ASC they journey across the Axis Mundi to the "upper world" to communicate with ancestral spirits. They may also journey to the "lower world" to visit power animals. They may journey into the past to help heal from a past experience, journey into the future, or journey into a remote part of the earth where the local spirits have the information the shaman needs. During the journey they encounter spirits who play an important role in human lives. These spirits, though usually sympathetic with humanity, are not always helpful. So the shaman either controls or cooperates with the spirits to help the community. Every human has helping spirits, even if they aren't aware of it. These spirits usually are eager to help identify the cause of illness, either involving a power loss, or soul loss. Shamanic healing is designed to regain power and the protection this power provides. The soul loss may be the result of power-intrusion in which vagrant spirits come to reside uninvited in the body. So healing involves returning the intruding spirits to their rightful place in the universe. A shaman's strength is derived from the strength and number of spirits she can call upon for help. The spirits are of varying strength and it is their strength that determines the shaman's rank. They help the shaman treat people, foretell the future, and influence it. The more powerful the shaman, the more loving, because with the power comes a lack of fear. The shaman needs the spirits as much as they need her. It is said that spirits must be in touch with our physical world to stay charged with energy. So when a shaman, for some reason, decides to sever her ties with them, this may have dire consequences for both of them. Shaman have a strong understanding of their surrounding environment and their true purpose is to balance humanity with nature. They learn by watching birds, animals, and fish. They may also simply ask the earth to answer their question. Different locations are believed to have spirits who command the birds and animals living there and can help humans if they choose. Animals may be called upon to be united with the power and essence of the animal. Each animal has attributes that we can learn from and use to become stronger. An animal may also come to you as an omen or messenger. For example, bird songs will welcome you to an area, while bird fights will tell you to be on guard. Shadow animals invade you with fear to teach a lesson. Many places on the earth are considered 'power spots where people can go to increase their power or experience greater power: Crater Lake in Oregon, Mt. Shasta in California, Stonehenge in England, Black Hills in South Dakota, Skellig Islands off the Irish coast, Serpent Mound in Utah, Red Rock in Sedona, Arizona, just to name a few. Divination is the control over weather. Shaman believe they can smooth a tidal wave before it hits shore, or divert a tornado around the village rather than through it. They merge with the tornado, and as the tornado they aren't able to make it turn around and go the other direction; but they are able to encourage it do go a direction that it may have gone anyway. Shaman will gather together for added strength when severe weather conditions warrant it. Wind/directions have spirit animals, elemental association, and attributes: East (lion/fire/spirit/enlightenment), South (human/water/emotions/strength), West (buffalo/earth/body/transformation), North (eagle/air/mind/information). The shaman uses this power of the wind, but doesn't control it. The Axis Mundi is a location, bridge, rope, or plant symbolic for where the physical and metaphysical meet. The axis connects heaven and earth as well as provides a path between the two. So the shaman goes across the axis to bring back the knowledge needed for healing. The caduceus, the symbol for medicine today, uses this axis as the staff in the center and the serpents going around the staff are the guardians or guides to the other realm. Another important role of the shaman is story telling. They tell stories about how they have experienced the world through the eyes and ears of mythic and spiritual beings. They are masters of symbolism and interpretation. There is a well-known tale of a group of blind men who come upon a strange entity that has just arrived in town, known as an elephant. Each blind man is trying to figure out what this elephant entity is all about. One puts his arms around its huge leg and concludes the elephant is probably a living tree, another crashes into the massive body and visualizes the elephant as a solid wall, a third feels the vibrating tusk and naturally infers it must be a huge serpent, while yet another touches the tail and concludes that it is just a wimpy, rope-like animal. The point of the story is that each one of us can only relate to life using the experiences we have available to us. These experiences may be very limited and therefore limit our ability to understand someone else's experience. Or we may have many experiences in our past that help us understand the troubles someone else is living today. The story telling is their way of helping us relate 'lessons' to our personal lives. Many, if not all, religions have roots in shamanism. Hebrew/Jewish scriptures supported shamanistic practices. Had they never been given their Torah they would have been able to learn all they needed to know from the animals. They even recognize the importance of the four directions/winds, as having an organic, living nature. Jewish shaman perceive magic in the ordinary, miracle is the natural course of events. Where most people will be awestruck at the sight of a passing comet, the Jewish shaman will be awestruck at the sight of a fallen leaf. By seeing the miracle of what we consider ordinary, they unite with the Creator in a clear and open relationship. Then the veil between spirit and matter grows thinner and thinner and they no longer experience themselves as observers of this wondrous planet, but as integral parts of it. Some shaman use breath to redirect and transform the body/mind/soul. Breath is believed to connect the physical body with thoughts. Breath calms the mind creating a space that reflects our true nature. Without this stillness we see only distortions and illusions of separation and loss of love. Our true nature unites cosmic intelligence and human consciousness with the universes potential. With proper breathing techniques we can synchronize our breath/pulse with the breath/pulse of the universe. One such breathing technique to begin a meditation is to inhale and hold it for a count of 4, then exhale and hold it for a count of 4, then slowly increase so that you are holding for a count of 12 or more! Meditations may also use symbols, mantras, sacred postures, drumming, music and burning of herbs. Shaman believe life is a dream that we created and continually create with our thoughts, without limit. The apparent limits are the result of what we have learned. It is our beliefs, decisions, and actions today about ourselves and our world that give us what we have and make us who we are. So during psychotherapy the shaman tries to understand the source of the illness, believing it's the result of scars from our past that created a feeling of separation, or loss of love, in our subconscious. Understanding the origin of the pain, and bringing it into the conscious, releases deep seated traumas. Sometimes they would encourage the 'patient' to embrace the suffering. By reaching a place where one can embrace the suffering, the negative emotions vanish. Sometimes they would get the 'patient' to figure out the right question he needed answered. Once the right question was formulated, the answer appeared and the sickness disappeared. The shaman may also ask the patient to touch the area of the body in pain and say "Whatever this is related to, I forgive it completely and it doesn't matter anymore." The shaman believes if the power was in you to create the illness, then the power is within you to change it. The shaman teaches to watch your thoughts because your thoughts become your actions. Watch your actions because your actions become your habits. Watch your habits because your habits define who you are. It all starts with a single thought. So the more we can focus on positive thoughts the more positive our life will be. Shaman may use chants like this Kahuna (Hawaiian shaman) chant: be aware, be free, be focused, be here, be loved, be strong, be healed. Is this more psychotherapy or is it calling spirits, or is it both? It is said a shaman can resurrect the dead. A Kahuna would revive the dead by pushing the person's spirit back into the big toe. Surprisingly astute since squeezing the big toe is a well-known method for reviving someone who has fainted, and the day before someone dies their big toe drops downward. Other techniques, not mentioned above, include behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, family therapy, herbal therapy, drug therapy, psychodrama, and dream interpretation. The shaman may also direct communal rituals, communicate with animals, invoke spirits, dream quest, make rain, smudge, create animal and human-like creatures out of the earth, exorcise wandering spirits, part waters, draw water out of stones, heal snake bites with a copper serpent, and consult oracles. Today's shaman recognizes the earth is at a turning point and people need to become aware of clues through our senses and intuition. By developing our sensitivity to plants, animals, water, rocks, soil, etc. and by relating to them with appreciation we can gain powerful allies. To focus our thoughts on our intention to learn nature's language, the more she will communicate with us. By stating our intention, nature responds. Just like when we form the right question, the answer appears. Shaman believe that everything that exists is inter-connected. So a single thought of love or hate affects the whole world. Also, everything that exists is alive and can be communicated with, if approached properly. So by developing our sensitivity to the natural world we strengthen her. There are many correlations between the earth and humans. The colors of the chakras are in the same order as the rainbow. The nervous system sends energy through the body, just like electricity sends it through the house, just like the ley lines send it through the earth. The invisible meridians of the body send energy like the invisible meridians of the earth. Science proves many positive physical changes take place during spiritual practice. An increase of T-cells and salivary immunoglobulin has been documented which increases our immunity functions. Also, the more time someone spends in spiritual development, the less time they spend in pain and disease, because it triggers a shift in brain activity that brings a more positive sense of well-being. Science recognizes that 90% of all matter is empty space. Perhaps this is the creative void we use to create our lives. I have shown the origin of religions to open the path for all people to return to shamanic ways. For the doubtful reader I have shown areas of science that support shamanic activities. If every sentence written here is truly absorbed into the mind and body of the reader, we will discover the shaman within each one of us and unite together to return the earth to her vibrant state of health. by Rev. Chris goin *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Metaphysics

One of the greatest and most obvious thing  I've learned after taking the course,is being able to tell the difference between the "ego" and the "HOLY SPIRIT".      I've struggled for years not knowing what the problem was! Having had been through the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous more than a few times, experiencing peace and serenity and not fully knowing "HIM" along with the awesome wonder of who was this [spirit]helping me?      Dr. Loretta Siani, put in simple terms and applications that really helped me when applied, got almost immediate results! all ready bible versed found myself relating back to what I have already learned, as if I were translating a foreign language within myself, very interesting effect.     Another plus you might could say is, I've also noticed that my prayer life has changed because of reasons, that I found in the course that when I personally examined for myself and having made sense. One being which seams a little childish now, would find myself knowing what I wanted,..... then praying for that............. as being GOD'S WILL for me, not receiving what I personally wanted...............but received...[what?]  GOD"S WILL for me! and getting mad!!!!    A very simple concept when fully understood saved me and is saving me a lot of needless pain. Along those same lines talking about the more personal my GOD is to me after taking this course was being able to let down my preconceived ideas that I had of spirituality and the course allowed HIM to introduce HIMSELF to me!!!!! one of the simplest concepts being; children already have parents, they don't create their parents,although they grow up and become like their parents, creating children....... not forgetting who their [parents] are,see that simple concept for me let me finally know that I could finally surrender,after thinking about that for about 4,000 hours! lol!!! trying to imagine a GOD who suited me!  and my needs....and could finally wait and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to introduce HIMSELF to me and others, whom I might add,  haven't yet been able to chose, but allow them to come to me for guidence and love.   THANK-YOU, DR.LORETTA SIANI, AND ULC                                                 Rev.  John Schroeder *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

An Open Letter to Current and Future Seminary Students Rev. Lucinda Parker    M. Min., D.Div. We have all been called to service for many different reasons, bringing many different backgrounds and many different aspirations. And yet, as ethical, theological servants to humankind, we all have a need to broaden our knowledge base, for only then can we truly understand not only what we believe, but to understand what others believe. It is this basic need for knowledge that has kept theological schools and seminaries in existence for hundreds of years. The ULC Seminary continues this long-standing tradition. While some denominations in the US require one to attend seminary first and then be ordained or called to serve, ULC allows us to answer our spiritual call of service and ordination first and to pursue our training second. And while this approach is "out of the box" I have found it most useful and practical. Over the last two years I have completed 61 credits with the Seminary. For those of you with traditional higher education, you will thoroughly understand the statement, "I hate this class but it is required." And yet, when completed, you realize that you really did learn something. Your mind was expanded. You can relate to someone else better than before you embarked upon the dreaded class. There are a few classes I have taken at the Seminary that I didn't like. They were expanding my mind and making me think. It is akin to exercising when you have been a couch potato for twenty years. It HURTS! It is work. And yet, the classes were good. The thinking and forum postings were good. One of the strong points of the ULC Seminary is the variety of classes. We are encouraged to truly broaden our knowledge of other theologies and other spiritual quests. There are two paths to follow in the Seminary. Not traditional curricular paths, but personal paths. One is learn for one's self, to grow in our own spirituality. There are several classes designed for that and for some that may be enough. Spirit Quest is a great start for personal growth and discovery. The second path is the attainment of understanding of what others believe which enables us to better serve them from their point of view. These classes include Druidism, Paganism and Comparative Religion. I strongly urge you to pursue at least one class from the ULC Seminary. Select the one that intrigues or interests you the most. Once a week you will receive a dose of knowledge and thought provoking exercise via email. Most of the classes include citations and bibliographies that list other readings or sites on the Web that only add to your quest of knowledge and understanding. I am confident you will find the classes well written, well organized, and truly a path to wisdom. While no class or seminary can answer all personal questions of spirituality or theology, the offerings from ULC Seminary are well rounded. There truly is something for each of us. ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Christian History

A Time Without Schisms AND THE "SCHISMS" CONTINUE… on and on, perhaps as long as the spirit is housed in a human body, or leaves hang on the limbs of a tree, but for sure, as long as the ego is in control of man's soul. My family came to what is now the United States in the middle 1700's.  Family oral tradition passed on stories of priest within my mother's family that broke with the Catholic church over the requirement of celibacy, but also over the political control that had replaced sincere spiritual matters.  They settled outside of Philadelphia (in Reading, Pa.) and organized the first Lutheran church and later other Lutheran churches in North Carolina and Tennessee.  As former priest, they were educated and wanted an education for their children in the new world, so they went in search in their new communities, for good teachers, as well as building new churches.  However, when two brothers moved south and married two Methodist sister (who were teachers), the family faith would have their own schisms. Again like the Eastern and Western Catholic church they would split.  Those in the North remained true to the original Lutheran believes and the two moving to the South gave way toward the Methodist faith.  Of course like myself these Methodist children would marry and the schisms of faith would continue, some believing one must have his head and body dipped under the water and other believing just a few symbolic sprinkles for cleaning was enough to show the world you had made a commitment of faith to God. Being highly developed in my right hemisphere I was not one to follow the minister or my parents when told "to do as I say for I know best."  If they all believed in the same God, how could they all be right, I questioned.  I loved my family and all the extended families.  However, I could not understand all of the many religious family members who each disliked the other - for sure they had the "one and one only" path to finding God.  Nevertheless, they all agreed on one point. "All Catholics were going to hell! Had not our ancestors risk their lives to come to a new unknown land to flee the evil Catholic Church?  I wasn't allowed to play with Catholics at school or date them in college.  I even dated a Muslim a few times and while my family did not like the idea they were sure if I brought him to church with me he could be converted. But they were equally sure that a Catholic was set in his ways and could not be changed, and thus, he was doomed to hell.   Well, I did date a Catholic even one that was studying to become a priest. (We kept his faith a secret and I did not take him home.) I learned, actually the two of us believed almost the same things.  He did not "buy into" his faith 100's anymore than I did mine.  What I knew foremost, was this guy had a soul of so much love and compassion for mankind that he could love my family even though they could never love him. Thus, I knew too, the part about all Catholics going to hell was not right. Of course the "celebrate priest" rule put limits on our relationship, but the schisms were put aside for a wonderful friendship where we both saw the honoring of Love for God, self, and mankind as equal duty, and if love always came first who need all the other "stuff."  We both felt Jesus himself, and perhaps even the Buddha had came to tell mankind we had our focus too much on the ego and it's need for power and not enough on Love, Compassion and Forgiveness.  Knowing my friend's heart to serve mankind I can see why he may have chosen the path of priest as a career path, but for me that same heart chose a path as a professional student studying psychology, philosophy and religions around the world to help find a reason for all the schisms and a way to live in peace with one another without the schisms.               I have been enrolled in two classes in the History of the Christian faith this semester.  The local class has many elder students like myself seeking answers to "why."  I wonder about my Catholic friend, the priest. Has he studied the whole history behind his church as given in these last lessons, or does he have to remain blind to it to remain Catholic.  I am finding to remain Christian harder and harder after my studies in Christian History, but then again, I have studied most world religions and could not adopted them either. In the study of religion the leaves of faith come in so many colors.  As a child most of the leaves seemed to be green.  As an elder facing the fall season of my life cycle I am finding myself less and less religious but more and more spiritual. Perhaps when the wind comes to snatch me away from the tree and gravity finds me on the ground looking up at the big tree I will finally begin to see it was never about the leaves or me but about the big picture - THE TREE.  In fact, as a creative dreamer I could see this almost as a child, but it often appears religious people know more about facts, rules and power than creative imagination that might allow them to see the whole tree before that final snip of the wind that takes them to look from below the tree and see the whole picture. There is a legend that the American Indian came to know God through the voice of Mother Nature but he allowed the coming of the big white sails (thought to be birds at first) with white men aboard to trick his vision and he gave way to their ways. However, it is predicted that a time will come when the native American Indian will remember the ways of his Father and he will teach the white man to return to listen to the voice of Mother Earth and Father Universe. Nothing is possible if mankind cannot dream of it first… Cars instead of buggies, electric lights, phones, computers etc.  If this legend should have any truth within it then I choose to dream of time without schisms….. PEACE.        Rev. L. Francis *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spiritualism

Spiritualism Rev. Mark England The Spiritual Journey     I remember my first spiritual experience in my life when I was a child, but it took many years and several adverse circumstances to enter the realm of spirituality I enjoy today.     I was five years old when my Grandmother Hattie died of cancer. After the funeral we all went back to our house to mend our broken hearts sharing stories, and partaking in the food and drink. After a while all the company had left for home, and it was time for us children to retire for the night.     I went to my room confused about the days events. My Dad followed me into my bedroom . He was concerned as to how I was handling all that had transpired throughout the ordeal, and tried his best to comfort me with a pat on the head. We sat silent on my bed for several minutes with his big hand rubbing my back, and looking at the night through the window in my room. The sky was dark and clear with millions of stars shining brightly.     My Dad was not a religious man, but did have a sense of a higher being…God?     I always pictured God sitting in the biggest wooden chair ever seen with all of his angels around him. My Dad stated," pick a star in the sky and say a prayer to it, then Grammy will hear you and will  know that you loved her." He also said that I should ask God to" let her into heaven," because she had been a fine mother and grandmother. With his paternal part completed, he left the room to leave me to do what was instructed.     The first thing I did was recall an exercise that the Sunday school teacher had taught us about Jesus on the cross. She had us hold our hands out to our sides for as long as we could to show how much pain that Jesus may have gone through for us. For some reason I held my arms out like she had instructed us in school, and closed my eyes. I'm not sure how much time had passed, but my arms were tired. I then picked out the star, and got on my knees and said, " God, please take care of my Grammy, because I love her. Will you please take her to heaven with you. Amen!"     A feeling of great peace fell over me, and I knew that my prayers would be answered.     I never had another experience like that for many years to come, but I sure searched for it, in all the wrong places. It was not until I was thirty six years old that I was able to re-connect with God, and use him to manage my life on a daily basis. After battling Alcohol and drug addition for many years, I got sober through a gift of desperation , Then, a kidney transplant, multiple bone surgeries, contracted Hepatitis C from multiple transfusions, and living life on free will all caught up to me at once. I was empty with no self worth, but saw a little hope through a caring friend...God!     The classes on spiritualism has enlighten my perception in the spiritual concept, explaining the patterns of spirituality played out in different times, for different people, and the evolution individuals and cultures have experienced. The spiritual life is not a theory, but has to be lived to become a valid and functional benefit of the believer. An abstract concept that creates possibilities through faith, love, and an open mind.     Some individuals become spiritual through forbidden avenues, learning lessons the hard way. Spirituality may not get you to heaven alone, but will let you out of hell. Thank you for the enlightenment.    Rev. Mark England                                               ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

A Course in Miracles

Dr. of Metaphysics- Essay I've been struggling with this essay for the past four days- which I find to be astounding, as this course is basically a reflection of the way that I have tried to live my life and beliefs that I have held since I can remember. I realize that this course is Christian-based, yet I see it as applicable to ALL religions, which reinforces my belief that ALL ARE ONE... even if the terminology is different. When I was young, I was deeply influenced by my studies of Edgar Cayce, which I feel gave me greater insight into the lessons. This course teaches us to view our lives as a service to others in their own struggle to reunite with the Higher Power, thereby moving us along the same path. When we take the attitude of "giving instead of getting", we receive the blessings of that Higher Power and attract good things into our lives. Positive envisioning to attract what we want/need, is a powerful tool. When we grasp that concept, we see that focusing on what we DON'T want attracts the same into our lives, and we are one step further to breaking the cycle of self-defeat that entraps many. Understanding that the unconscious mind thinks in pictures/images, let's us realize that the focus of our thoughts cannot be a negative, as this does not tranlate into image. Also, knowing that things happen because they are supposed to and accepting misfortunes as a learning opportunities, gives us a different perspective. We are no longer "victims" Although I agree in essence with the lesson on personal relationships, yet I found it distrubing in part because it could be misconstrued that an abusive relationship should be endured. This brought to mind the last line of the prayer "... and the wisdom to know the difference." In all, this course is an invaluable "owner's manual" for human existaece. Play nice; don't fight! Rev. Diane Young Christian ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirituality

Dr. of Spirituality Essay: What I have learned in this course. (Looking for the truth in the spiritual world) My father once said to me: Son, always remember that learning never ends - regardless of age. Now I am 54 and I have to admit that my father was right. We live in a cruel world, lies at every corner and most of them blend-in perfectly with what we like to hear and how we like to look at things. For 2,000 years we are being told that there is only one savior `Jesus Christ`. Wars are being fought because we need to defend our countries. Religious wars are being fought because we all have different Gods, given or assigned to us by our churches who like to domain us just like the politicians of governments for their wars. Who can you actually trust ? We are all the same humans, brothers and sisters indeed. And there is only one God in Heaven and this God`s name we do not need to know and neither do we need to kill each other in His name. We are the ones who have given this God different names, beside the other Gods who visited Earth, self-proclaimed Gods, God's made by humans, Holy messengers and Prophets. Who is the real God? There can be only one real God in Heaven and that is the almighty God and His name is God (in English) and in another language you might call him differently. How much do we know about Jesus Christ (New testament) and (Old testament) Joseph in fact? What about all the other Gods (whose names I will not mention now), are they fake Gods or fake Sons of Gods? Certainly not ! What about the great (Genesis) flood / And, what about the Epic of Gilgamesh (around 2,600 BC) ? What about Moses (Sargon), and all the other `moses-like-human prophets before; in Babylon it was Nemo (10 tablets) in India it was Manou (10 tablets) in Crete it was Minos (10 tablets) in Egypt it was Mises (10 tablets) ... and have you ever sought about the ending in our prayers: AMEN ? Where does it come from and what does it actually mean ? Are we worshipping Amen-Ra / Sun-God ? Are we really knowing the truth about Earth and Humans and their Gods, or are we just living in a great Disney Land ? Is everything just developed for political reasons so that religion can be used for slavery ? Religion is a myth indeed, it is not debatable nor questionable, it is divine authority. At young age I quit religion and I found it again through the ULC, especially the Spiritual course they offered. In the end that is all I had left, a broken-view regarding religion and belief. All there was left in me was the Spiritual belief. It is rather difficult to build-up that belief without some help of an spiritual advisor. Then the praying, we all pray for so much, but then is it right to pray that much ? And what kind of prayer is correct ? To whom should we pray ? Beside weddings I do counseling of all kinds and children support, visit hospitals and prisons were I meet all kind of different nationals and human characters. I do not use the cross, of course when I am forced to use it then inside my heart I think of Jesus Christ but still fighting with my inner-self then. I rather wear a pair of praying hands instead of a cross. Spiritual belief in the (Nameless) Almighty God is my belief and I consider myself an International Christian who welcomes all Gods and all other Religions for the purpose of uniting all humans together again. The Free-Will being given of being able to choose an religion (Universal religious belief) and practicing it as granted to me by the ULC means a lot to me and the most-high in heaven will certainly agree to that. Arguing about religion is a waste of time, since all religious books are either partially incorrect, misinterpreted and anyway are not fully proven to be correct. Better be spiritual and study about Astronomy, Astrology and Archeology and really help-out others and then you will be on the right track. Most of the people say they are spiritual, because they do not know anything about religion, neither won`t have anything to do with it for personal or other reasons. The question is just `Do They Understand Spirituality` ? Maybe 90% does not. Rev. Dr. Loretta Siani has been a helping hand to me with her lessons, Spiritual prayers and the deeper meaning of it. Of course not everything is according my spiritual belief, what she has taught me, but she awakened inside me the deeper free-spiritual thinking and in the end that is all I hoped to happen. Reading, learning, processing and sorting-out with a clear and free-thinking and feeling mind is important in order to evolve to the next spiritual step (per aspera ad astra). No human is perfect, no book is correct but we can correct our current dependent mind (s) and thinking as long as we keep ourselves open and uninfluenced to choose a new or different way of thinking according our heart and independent open mind. Whatever we read or study does not mean that we have to accept everything what is written or being said, but without studying and freely considering a learning process is not possible. Spirituality is something you can not touch, not buy, not be given to but only slowly learn through study and life experiences and an open mind and an clean heart, otherwise the spiritual picture will not be visible and the guideline is not there. I like to thank the ULC and Dr. Siani for their kind support till now and I like to encourage my other Pastor-Reverend brothers here on Earth to keep an open mind and always consider the cost of misusing the most powerful weapon `Religion` in the name of our most high GOD. Blessed are those who spiritually support their brothers and sisters. Brother Georg - Japan *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Comparative Religion

ULC Comparative Religion

What I gained from this course:

The twenty-lesson course in Comparative Religion  was a validation of my beliefs. I have always thought that the various religions that developed around the world were based on the same basic belief in a higher energy, Creator, Source, Divine Bring or any other term developed by humanity's limited language skills that one would care to use to describe the underlying power of the Universe.

It has been my life long belief that all the religions of the world lead to one place, it is just a matter of how one gets there. A brief visual description may assist in understanding my point. Imagine a large mountain and the goal is the summit. Each person is located at the base. There are paths that spiral around the mountain climbing ever higher. There are some paths whose course takes them directly up the side of the mountain on a vertical ascent. These paths all start at different points at the base of the mountain, but all end at the summit. Some of these paths even travel the same course at times, some never meet. While all start at a different point, all take a varied route; all arrive at the same point in the end - the summit or to phrase it another way - reunification with Divinity.

I believe that the vast differences are there to accommodate the various level of spiritual development evident in each culture at any given point in their evolution. That is to say, an early pagan would have had a hard time comprehending the higher teachings of the Buddhist religion. Another example of this is the evolution from

Hinduism into Buddhism. This difficulty in comprehension is just as true for the modern day Christian. By that I mean that a Christian has trouble accepting that each individual is responsible for their own evolution on the wheel of life, death and rebirth. Most of the Christians that I have spoken with believe that unless one believes in Jesus salvation can never be obtained.

What I liked best and least about this course, and how to improve:

While I was pleasantly surprised to see the more obscure religions given the same basically fair treatment as the more commonly practiced ones, I would also have liked to have seen a more in depth comparison of each of the religions covered. Many times I was waiting in vain for the next religion to be explained to the extent that the last one had been discussed. This was true not only of the obscure ones, but even the common ones. The discussions (lessons 16 and 17) on Divine Messengers for example as well as the discussion on Religious Titles (lesson 18) serve to illustrate this point.

I would have preferred to see a systematic breakdown showing how each religion compared and contrasted with each other one during the course of each lesson. Using the above examples, if each religion's terms for angels had been laid out in table format and each religion's titles had been detailed side by side I believe it would

have more fully explained how they relate to one another.

Over all, this was an excellent course. I would definitely be willing to take another course from Reverend Kythera Ann; and am looking forward to Part 2 of this course. I am of course assuming there is a Part 2.

Theresa A. Bedwell

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar