Metaphysical Healing

The Metaphysical Healing lessons were very informative. Since I am trained in the Reiki Usui Japanese traditional; method of natural healing and a teacher of this, I am very interested in the other styles of "hands-on healing" and stories of successful healing.

No matter what description, Bio-energetic, energetic, holistic, or vibrational to describe this process, it works wonderfully alongside traditional medical treatments. Any person wishing to heal and take the time to seek out such healers will heal.

There are healing circles which are open for anyone who would like to experience this wonderful relaxing healing technique. Some try this before seeking out an individual healer.

While most prefer a relaxing atmosphere with dim lights, meditative music, candles, sound of running water, and the smell of incense, others do not. Some believe in god, others do not. They need only the deep desire to heal. If deep down inside they do not want to heal, even though they say they do, they will not.

I could go on and on, however, Rev/Dr Kreigers lessons are so identical to the Reiki way, It would sound as if I was just copying her lessons. The need for knowledge of the anatomy, Chakras, Aura, and induction are all necessary and her instructions are wonderful.

I do not feel that I am ready to take a client in a past life regression journey and definitely not an exorcism. I love absent healing. Often our friends and family need us. For example, my daughter calls "Mom, I need your help. A man walked into me and I fell, knocking my knee out of place. I put it back into place, but it is swollen and hurts. I need you to send me Reiki. I was doing so good, being careful with my knee. Why now? The holidays are coming and I need to be at work. (pause) Mom? are you sending me Reiki right now? I feel warm and tingling."

My response, "Yes I am."

She went to work the next day.

There are so many cultures and religious customs in our world and they are all very interesting. I thank Rev/Dr Kreiger for sharing her experiences and that of the Africans calling to and learning to be a traditional healer. You mention that in Africa witchcraft is rife. So it is in other areas. Some cannot be happy with the wonders of special gifts for doing good. Some have to take it to the dark side.

I do believe what goes around comes around three times. If you do a good thing, you will reap the rewards. If you do something bad, Look Out. I have never understood why a person would want to and enjoy hurting another person, nor would I want to understand.

I believe "Harm None."

Rev Diane L Orr

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Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

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Comparative Religion

COMPARATIVE RELIGION COURSE FINAL ESSAY

The course study about the comparative religions was found to be very informative. This course provided a fine background on the development of religious doctrines and how many are formed and the basic tenants of the main religious entities in our world. It is interesting to see the various theological considerations and beliefs. The manner of comparison given was excellent in its presentation.

I gained insight into many factions of religions and the similarities and differences from the concepts that exist. It is interesting to think back of the readings and find that there are many means used to formulate the various religions and their main elements that comprise them. What is noticeable is the basic term in which religion is founded and how that effects today’s life for worship. Beginning with Shamanism to the theory for the future where the female may take new roles in the male dominated religious thought. Early religion started with the female as primary and evolved into a male dominated system. The use of the stories and lesson to show what is now the main principles associated with each of the various beliefs is unique.

I was surprised to learn about how the evolution of the religions sprang out of other practices. I begin with the Shamanistic theories of a basically unorganized singular precept, to the modern elements to make an organized set of standards or beliefs, come to pass.

I found that each of the developed religions started with some form of leader to be called upon to be the basis of worship and the values they instilled into their faiths.

I think it is important to understand how religion was transformed and progressed to modern day. The fact that our religions have so many similar starts is interesting and how they incorporated hierarchies within and who is revered as leadership and attributed to such belief systems. Each seems to have some person who is given the form of responsibility for further the belief system here on earth and how they related to a supreme being is validity for each group of practice.

I gained insight as to the means of the various religions that exist and how they progressed to their present state of being from the founder to the current status in our world. What is interesting is the differences that are thought to be as in essences, they all seem to have similar beginnings. And yet, they consider themselves different from one another. There is a centralized deity for all. Who is this deity that we all believe in if we follow a religion? I see that it is all one in the same and thus wonder how we can be so different and fight amongst ourselves to show dominance.

The concept of G_d and the messenger sent to create the religion is an odd issue to me. The various religions all seem to have G_d and then messengers from G_d to establish the values of that religion. And, again they seem to be so different and so alike. The teachings from the Torah and the Bible and the stories of religions feature the similar set of beliefs in an established faith. So how can it be that things are so different for people in the decision to worship as they do? Why is their such divergent thought of how to achieve religious faith and yet we basically can consider the final outcome as having a faith to worship under G_d.?

I am perplexed that we have such problems with allowing people to have their faiths and yet one seems to value their beliefs as paramount to others. To me, the religions are then influenced by man as they, the scholars or teachers of such values, seemingly sway persons to believe they are they true means in which to value our Lord. This Lord is the same for all, but the teachings give their messenger the value of the means to achieve the best that can come to them. I find it somewhat incoherent that faiths cannot co-exist without the feeling that there is one and only one means to achieve oneness with the Lord.

In reading these lessons, it becomes apparent that there are the faiths that people choose for whatever reason to follow to achieve that oneness. It is not wrong or right, it is that there are many roads to take to get to a destination. These roads lead to the same place in symbolism. Yet, acceptance by faiths has a tendency to show predominance when none should be taught to see that. I think it is relative that different means to get to the destination are all valid and each has their own positives and negatives. There are the intervening variables of time and the way that life has evolved and this gives us the idea of how we achieve a state of faith.

In comparing religious faiths, we see that one can follow directions to obtain our faith through different means. We see that one’s faith is influenced over time and sets of beliefs and values are taught to us as a manner of finding our faith. Thus, one has to be indoctrinated into a form of following to find that which is right for them to obtain security with their faith. The generations prior have influenced the direction each takes to find faith. Groups then evolve into other means to find this goal. But, ultimately is not so important as to which means or road one travels, but that they get there in the end through the system they choose to guide them their.

As a non-denominational Reverend, I find value in all facets of belief as long as others are given the rights to choose the course they wish to follow. This course has shown me the different means by which people may choose and how they came to be and the precepts that they have to get their beliefs. It is intriguing and also somewhat odd that so many roads lead to the same destination. Is it wrong? No, not at all. It is what route seems the most feasible to those that choose to use that direction and the comfort they derive from using that faith.

I enjoyed this course as it gave me a wide amount of things to see and think about. It provided the basic to understand how various religions serve their devotees. It also shows the origin of such for people to have come to a choice or manner of belief.

If asked what I didn’t like as is suggested, there is nothing I have found that was not of valuable to me. And as asked, there is no suggestion that comes to me for improvement.

If I was to make suggestion, it would be to chapterize and feature each major religion specifically to see what it is they each have to offer or for following and show how each is established singularly in future course. For example and chapter on each religion itself without the comparison to others. It would like to see the individual analysis of each major religion discussed with all that is basic to it particularly and solely devoted to the primary religion as the next offering of course work. I think then one could read of Christianity as a primer and Judaism and Hinduism and such in a singular chapter encompassing that which was covered in comparative manner in this course. It would then be helpful to study each one and all of its beliefs separately and then together in a full course. Additionally, it would be helpful to have a matrix of the similarities and differences for each as a guideline to see that which is in existence with each religious set of values.

All in all, I looked forward to each weeks lessons and how they are intertwine with each other.

I hope this provides the analysis that is requested and indicates my thought of how this impacted my belief that we must all be accepting of each other. After all, the road is not as important as reaching the destination, but, tolerance must be exercised to allow each person to find their road to faith and oneness with G_d.

Thank you for such and enlightening course and all the work that went into it. It is obvious that a great deal of time and effort went into this and I am so pleased with myself to have taken the effort to enjoy the scholarly manner it was presented in and how it was composed.

Sincerely,

The Reverend Adam Rocke

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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.

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

Master of Religion

The thing that jumps out strongest about the course Master of Religion - it was entirely too short. There is so much information to be covered in just 20 short lessons. I could have gone on for a lot longer. I always enjoy a course when it opens ideas and forces me to think about my beliefs and even research further into the issues involved. One issue I felt compelled to tackle in this course was discernment.

Following the discussion on the multiple flavors of Christian religion I felt challenged to look not only at the variety of beliefs but also the influence on people and on the lives of individuals. Does this "flavor" of Christianity lead to a good life - bear positive fruit - or can it be linked to an evil influence - do the followers lie, steal and cheat?

I myself feel that it is the fruit of the flavor that bears witness to the strengths of the belief system.

The Catholic Church's long term battle on opposing view points certainly does not lend itself to a positive life style. Yet, it is the leaders that continue unjust persecution not the average believer. So can we condemn the system for such former abuses Other denominations have been just as repressive and destructive through the years. I believe it is the hatred that disturbs our heavenly creator and not the flavor of the belief we follow. Often the average believer does not even understand the complex theology used to support the views and actions of the leaders. Nor do they necessarily follow the same political issues.

In past ages many believers were unable to read and could only follow the leadership they were given, which might not be the most Christian view point. Check out the view of the puritans when they sought to establish themselves in this country. It was not a very glorious story, and fortunately they have vanished.

Today we are very lucky to have the opportunity to follow God and learn line upon line, precept upon precept. Before I feel confident telling others what to believe I need to be sure I know what I really believe. This course have given me a choice opportunity to question and study my belief system.

Keep up the good work.

I consider this course a good introduction to the Christian faith and beliefs. Thanks

Zelma Emerson

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The Universal Life Church Seminary is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, and Paganism.  We have two courses in Metaphysics, as well as courses in Mystical Christianity, Buddhism and Comparative Religion. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Four Gospels

The Four Gospels

Rev. Willis Henry

“Four Perspective of one man, one deity, one savior. Expressed by four men who were not religious scholars.”

Matthew spoke predominately to the Jews. He attempted to convince the Jews that Yeshua was the Messiah. In the book of Matthew ,he emphasizes Yeshua fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies .Matthew starts off with giving the readers a full genealogical history of Yeshua, he points out how there is fourteen generations between Abraham and David fourteen generation to Yeshua. The book of Matthew is systematic, yet artistically, style. He did not tell Yeshua’s story in a strict chronological sequence but grouped facts topically.

Mark addressed his writings to Gentles; he often explained Jewish customs or translated Aramaic for his readers. Only one was Mark noted as having quoted directly from the Old Testament law. Mark reveals Yeshua as both Son of God and the Son of Man.

Luke’s is the most comprehensive of the four Gospels. Luke articulates his desire to give his readers a clear and coherent view of the words and deeds of Yeshua. Luke accounts of Yeshua, place great attention to Yeshua’s concern for the poor and oppressed, and diverse ethnic, religious, economic and social groups. Luke was well educated in Geek culture and he was a physician by profession. When one begins to read Luke’s Gospel one can find depth in his Gospel.

John Gospel was written to non Jewish believers. It was written to give hope to those believers who struggled with the belief that Yeshua was more than a prophet, but in fact that Yeshua was the Messiah.

(Whiston, June 2007) “The Works of Josephus”

While many who might argue that the four Gospels are all zealots for Yeshua so how can their word are proven. I sought outside sources for those who are religious or those who see the four Gospel as being nothing more than another cult group trying to push their doctrine on others. Josephus was a historian. But in fact his works are the principal source for Jewish History.

Josephus Dissertation “The Testimonies of Josephus Concerning Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and James the just vindicated”

Pg 815 Josephus declares Yeshua to be more than just a man, when he spoke with many of the Jewish people who believed that the destruction of Jerusalem was happening because of those who crucified Yeshua.

The four Gospels with writings from Josephus help give me a clear view of why each Gospel was different but yet the under line meaning was the same. The Messiah had come offering Salvation, forgiveness, and hope. Offering good news for those who felt their was no hope. If one looks carefully you will not see religion but Yeshua spoke of a relationship between himself his Father and he offered us a chance to have that relationship. For religious I found neither in Yeshua’s teachings nor those that spread his Gospel, for religion was yet a creation of man.

I found that each Gospel offered something different but yet the same, as we might be able to speak with kings and queens; if we can not speak to the common man then we are of no good service to the average man. So as for the four Gospel I found each sections good and each with purpose to assist a certain group of people to know and understand Yeshua’s teachings of love, forgiveness.

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

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Spiritualism

ULC Defining Spiritualism course

I felt the course was a very thought provoking and unique program. By looking into the history and development of western intellectual thought as is associated with the development of religion one can see how this evolution morphs according to what is most accepted at the time.

The tools in the form of information within this course will aid me in dialoging and ministering to skeptical individuals. There are those who rather ridicule people who believe in mysticism. These are individuals that too are looking for meaning in life and when seeking our council we can approach carefully with the knowledge necessary to deal with those driven by the mind.

Placing complete faith in the powers of logic and reason is a method that is inherently flawed. What was determined as logical and reasonable most often changes with time with other discoveries and insights which make original thought void or at least altered to adjust.

By better understanding that mysticism can be considered the truth of all things but that that truth can be understood in different ways through various spiritual paths. I realize I must learn as much as I can about other religions as possible and I see how it can be closely compared to a more mind centered scientific outlook so I can help others on their own journey more effectively.

With this understanding I conclude that essentially religion and “scientific outlook” are alike in their core beliefs. The following was helpful:

God………………………………Energy

Miracles……………..Discoveries

Magic……………………..Scientific Process

Faith……………………..Objective Reality

The truth we speak is exactly the same though the terminology is different. The universe is an interaction of the mind and energy therefore is always changing. No one can KNOW anything absolutely. God transcends limitations such as weight, size, and mass. These are illusions. Suffering is the condition by which joy is possible. Suffering drives us to greatness. Is this illusion’s purpose a growth process?

What is predictable according to Newton has inherent uncertainty according to Heisenberg. One can propose this question to the scientifically minded. How much of what science had proven to be true one hundred years ago is still believed to be true today? About 90% is now proven false. What of today’s proofs will be considered false in the future?

We must remember we are forever learning. We are forever changing.

I realize my purpose is to be one of a guide not the expert who knows the truth. I can give guidance through non-threatening questions. I will plant the seed and perhaps see it germinate but perhaps not. I must be patient to let others blossom according to their understanding on their own journey.

Every ministry is an opportunity to learn.

If we believe our reality is a creation of a collective manifestation of imagination we can realize our expansion continues in search of more perfect conditions existing somewhere else that we cannot currently see.

Physics unite the two predominant views regarding the physical world versus the psychic world. This ultimate philosophy would unite the truth in these two philosophies, as there is truth to both. We limit ourselves with words and need to focus on intuition.

As ULC ministers we accept a more open interpretation of God and God’s Love. We look forward to a day when we realize the oneness of all, to our service to man, not to be envied as a chosen group.

“I am the chosen favorite” is arrogance of Christianity that runs rampant throughout the fundamentalist movement. This attitude is reflected in other fundamentalist groups as well. We are all children of God and we all find our way on our own unique path. Pagan, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or other. We as ministers must never think our faith is the one true path.

We need to reach out to those in need. The more we give the happier we are. The less we think in terms of what others are doing for us the more we think of what we can do for others the more at peace we are. To love is better than to be loved and through loving we can feel love. To give is better than to receive and through giving, we do receive.

When we fight or struggle against these teaching, diverge from this thought, we ourselves suffer. We need to focus on the positives and on beauty so this is what we see.

We are all God and as such we are all a part of this self-awareness process. Our contribution is our own introspection as we work to honestly come to know the nature of our own souls, so too does God come to know the nature of his/hers. If you want to do God’s work, look honestly into yourself and know that by doing so you are doing the greatest of his work.

When ministering to another use their language such as spirit and soul, physical, psyche, demons, multiple personality disorder, etc. It does not matter which name is attached if the person is deeply touched.

By taking this course I have been given an overview of the influences philosophy has on even those who know nothing about philosophy. This is the way of society in that everything influences everything else.

This realization that I know nothing keeps me humble and ready to listen fully to the person I minister to. I need to put myself aside and always question my motives and be aware of when my ego tries to creep in.

These are only highlighted points of which I found useful and I continue to reread the info to gain deeper perspective of the content.

Rev. Denise

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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.

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

Spirit Quest

Spirit Quest Final Project

Spirit Quest is truly a remarkable course. It presents many tools and offers ways to use them that are both practical and simple. The results, however, and anything but simple – they are in fact quite profound. Of the many tools that were presented, I found two that I believe are most effective for me. These two tools are grounding cords and mock-ups.

The grounding cords were used for just that purpose – grounding. When negative or unwanted energies presented themselves, a grounding cable was to be dropped from the back of the head straight down into the earth. All of the negativity that was present was to be funneled down this passageway all the way down to the centre of the earth where it is burned up my the molten core of the planet.

For me, the trick was to recognize exactly where the need to use a grounding cord arose. Often times, when negative energy presents itself, it is hard to really focus on the notion of a grounding cord. But, with practice and results, I would suddenly think to myself “Hey! It is time to ground out this energy”, and I would drip the grounding cable and send the negativity straight down the cable into the waiting blast furnace. By burning away the negativity, it is dissipated; by bringing in a golden sun directly thereafter, any residual negativity that falls on us is burned away, transmuted, and purified.

Interestingly enough, there is, in my mind, a relationship between the molten blast furnace in the earth and the golden sun. They both really do the same thing, however, in one case we send things to be transmuted – in the other, we call the transmutation down upon ourselves for the same end.

Mock-ups are by far the most important tool in the Spirit Quest collection of wonders. The premise, as I understand it, is that if we can picture something in our mind’s eye, we energize it in such a way that it actually has potential. When we release that potential into the universe, we send it like a seed unto the winds until it finds fertile ground.

On a number of occasions, I used this technique to either help with projects I was undertaking at the time or to help with projects that are yet to begin. For example, in a job interview situation, where benefits or salaries are going to be discussed, mock-ups are best done before hand to try to “direct” the negotiations, once they commence. The most important thing is that one must picture it and then let it go. To dwell on it is to hold it back and then it will go nowhere.

The mock-up itself can be used in a variety of situations, and is very powerful. It is proof that Spirit moves in mysterious ways. The other interesting component is that the mock-up must have, at some level, a connection with the physical world. Can it be that our minds can affect the world around us? Seemingly so – it is hard to believe, but, I believe.

These are but two examples of the richness found in Spirit Quest. Each week was a different way of experiencing Spirit and deeper forays into the Spirit Quest that we all undertake when we look to further ourselves and our education. From chakras to time, to reincarnation, to many points along the way, this course is a wealth of practical exercises and essential information. Though the course is over and I feel that I have lost a good friend, the lessons will stay with me for a very long time.

By Rev. Jean Pagano

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Comparative Religion

I have had a longstanding interest in the study of comparative religion. I have especially examined Judaism because it provided a background to Christianity. as we know Jesus himself was raised and lived within this tradition. I have a firm belief we can't really understand the Christian faith without search the roots of the tradition and examining the lives of the people involved.

Likewise the eastern religions of India and China - Hinduism , and the way of Taoism - both a study in contrasts and parallels for the western mind. I remember being told that the western mind was incapable of understanding eastern thought. There has certainly been a lot of interest in some eastern techniques of meditation by the west in the twentieth century but very few actually penetrate to the heart of the matter.

This course offered an opportunity to broaden my contacts religions around the world, offering an integration of ideas and a wide range of new ideas utilized by people to explain life and the reality of the world around us.

I especially enjoyed the excellent bibliographical matter which allowed me to explore the ideas.

This was really a great course for me.

Rev. Zelma Emerson

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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.

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

Comparative Religion

I was about 14 when I decided that I could not be a religious person. The only religion that I knew about was Catholicism, so my real decision was not to be Catholic. There were two basic reasons that stopped me then. The first was the way women and homosexuals were viewed and treated within the church: blocked from the priesthood making them inferior, almost as if helpers. With a budding interest in biology, I found that hard to reconcile with what I saw in nature. The second was the idea that good people who have never harmed another, but who don't believe as I do, would be prevented from obtaining salvation.

For a while, science became my religion and then my life hit one of those inevitable bumps that forced me to stop and take stock of myself. Only in one area did I feel that I came up lacking. I was not a spiritual person. Slightly older and slightly wiser, I took a second look at Christianity and found that my basic reasons for not being a Christian still prevented me from adopting that faith, although I found some good messages that I had no problems with. I looked to other faiths, and found something that really astounded me.

There are some definite differences between the major religions, but for the most part, the message; the essence of the message, is the same. The basic concepts on how to treat others, especially the poor, weak and sick are all the same. I am puzzled, to this day, that people are so ready to kill others, fight others, and fear others based on the mechanistic differences between the religions. I find it strange, because if people truly followed the basic teachings of their religions, this should not occur.

With the gift of technological advances and break-throughs, it seems like our world is becoming smaller and more connected than ever before with increasing contact between people and governments. In this light, we need to recognize the basic rights and responsibilities of individuals, peoples and nations in relation to each other and to the planet as a whole with our newly emerging “united global family”.

No matter where we come from we all have the same needs and concerns, the same prayers and wishes. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering regardless of our race, religion, sex or political status. One thing I’ve learned after taking this course is that once you recognize that you have every right to be an abundant loving person, every other sentient being also is entitled to being abundant and loving. But if we are prevented from using our creative potential due to rigid or condemning spiritual dogmas, we’ll stay in the same stagnant energetic space and we’ll continue to pass on that programming to future generations.

After taking this course I came to the conclusion that there are many different roads to the same place, and it matters little where you start and what path you take, the end result is the same.

If there is a satan, an evil sprit, or an incarnation of evil I would give it the name 'fear'. I feel that all the actions of people of good faith that cause pain to others, happens when people are afraid. Fear breeds intolerance, and in my view, intolerance puts up a huge wall on that road to the sacred.

Yet when I see a new life start, a beautiful sunset, hear a child laugh, go to a concert, watch an athlete perform, look at a work of art, a butterfly, a kids painting, I can't help thinking that I have just caught a glimpse of the divine. All these things come from things being fully and completely themselves and being observed doing so. Buying something I want, gaining stature at the workplace, winning a competition, while pleasurable, don't give me that same feeling. At the end of the day they don't really seem to matter as much.

To conclude, I’ve learned the best approach to fostering world peace and interfaith unity is staying centered in your faith, in love and without fear. You have to follow your heart, in love and without fear of being who you are. Hopefully we will all meet again at the end of that road upon which we all are traveling. It is the only thing I can believe on a spiritual level, I guess it is the scientist in me that maintains that if there is a deity that created such a wonderful diversity of life, not just among humans but all across nature, why would that same deity then say there is only one way to reach it? Especially when it has gone to so much trouble to ensure that the same message be received by so many religious and nonreligious scholars alike -- albeit in different forms, and through different filters -- each uniquely suited for a particular cultural condition.

I thought this was an excellent course, and well worth the tuition that I paid for it. After taking a break to let all the new knowledge I’ve gained really sink in, I’ll definitely be looking into taking further courses. The only suggestion I could offer is: instead of sending each discourse in the “body” of an email – send it as an attachment in a word document. I request this because when I go to print out each discourse to add to my binder the email server adds pop up around the text of the discourse and I find it very distracting. So then I thought I’d copy and paste the text on a Word document myself to “clean it up” and make the discourses look nicer – the text and picture get all jumbled up and it looks even worse! So my only recommendation is sending your discourses as an attachment on a Word or publishing document instead of in the body of the email.

Rev. William Gameson

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Paganism

Paganism for a New Age

I enjoyed the Paganism for a New Age class. As an Ásatrúarmaður I haven‘t experienced or been exposed to other Pagan rituals, rites, ceremonies and histories with the exception of the “Mythological“ teachings of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt in high school. The class gave a decent overview of the major Pagan religion‘s practices and rites.

I enjoyed the chapters 3, 9, 12 the most. The portions of the class that have helped me the most were the meditations. I have begun quieting the mind during my evening workouts and have found the calm to enhance and balance the physical exhertion.The sacred place chapter motivated me to finally build my oaken Altar. Upon the alter I inscribed runes detailed in the ruinic chapter along with a design of mjolnir that I hand drew. My altar turned out beautifully and I have since added a sword, shield, drinking horn, ornate key‘s(for freya and my wife) and pictures of my family. I wear a mjolnir necklace and ring to show my faith to all. I will be adding a tree of life tattoo that surrounds an Odinic horn and Freyan key this spring.

I‘ve struggled adding guardians to my spiritual path and tradition. When I ask the gods for a favor I ask Thor to petition the deity whose realm my request would fall to. I may have failed to wrap my mind around it. I‘ve also struggled with rituals and ceremonies. I‘ve attempted a few but become extremely self conscious while performing them. I‘ve yet to master calming my body and mind while performing rituals or ceremonies. My wife says in time and with practice I will be at ease.

The only thing I didn‘t care for was that the class seemed to lean a little heavier towards some teachings from week to week. I think more of a balance could have been established week to week.

Dr. Ronald Derry Jr. D.D.

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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.

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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Master of Religion

Final Essay for Master of Religion

Rev. Bill Jones

This is my attempt to comment on and evaluate the Master of Religion Course and coursework in the form of an end of course essay. I very much enjoyed the course and the new information that I received. I, as an ordained minister have tried to do as the bible advises, “Study to show thyself approved.” Rather than make comments on some of the lessons during the weeks that I received them, I held my comments and responses until now. Those lessons that required answering of questions, I responded with the answers. I hoped that I would receive responses to them as to the accuracy of the answers. I now see that the purpose of the class is to stimulate study and expand your personal spirituality. Much of what I have gained is affirmation of prior non-formal studies and enlightenment of some new revelations.

I occasionally go to the forum section of the web-site to read the answers and comments from other students in the program. I have not been appalled by any of the remarks but sometimes wonder why on some of the comments. The purpose of getting a master’s degree is not just for show but to increase your knowledge of religion. Those who bash the course need to evaluate the reason they are taking the courses. Having been active in several churches over many years, I had always assumed that the pastors or priests were men or women who were learned in the mysteries of the faith of Christianity. This course has taught me that there are many areas untouched by them. I have heard after becoming an ordained minister about the “canons” of the faith.

Independent studies caused me to question many of the things that I have heard for years. The Seminary studies that I did for ordination was strictly an exercise of promoting a doctrine of a particular denomination. Licensing by a church was a way of putting me further into a “box” from which I was further restricted in reading and relating what I had learned.

Having attended and graduating for more than one large well know college and university and having a thirst for knowledge was not satisfied by such restrictive environments. Having had the advantage of traveling some of the world has open vistas of knowledge that I had not know before. The open environment of this course work has allowed that to happen for me.

The failure of all too many who profess to be Christians and have failed to read the bible and not read for understanding truly intrigues me. If you are Christian and have any of the Holy Spirit within you, you should read for yourself and gain some amount of knowledge of the faith.

It is my hope that the discourses without questions caused those taking the course to study further and learn more of each lesson. Those who are computer literate have the resource of a number of internet sites to garner more information.

The only criticism I have is that some of the lessons should be edited for grammar and spelling. Some of the information could be confusing without several readings of that lesson. I suppose that I am a bit of an academic. I have found that being an academic in the pulpit in some of the churches is not appreciated.

I am happy to state that the course work has reinforced things that I knew and made me aware of some things of which that I was not aware. I was unaware of the different presentations of the Ten Commandments by the various denominations. This was further a point of interest when the various differences in translations can be established. As a person degreed in history and social sciences the development of the “church” was also of interest. The fact that St. Jerome translated into Latin for the Emperor and further research provided information of the emperor’s influence is vividly apparent. The social, government and persons influences in translating have really changed the text and wording of these translations.

I believe that I can now put myself in a position of being a “Universalist”. I usually respond that I am a Christian. I have previously been a Baptist, and an Episcopalian. I have been an interim pastor for a Church of God congregation, a Eucharistic minister in the Episcopal Church, interim pastor of two Baptist churches and an associate pastor of a Baptist church. Imagine my surprise at arriving at this point in my spirituality.

Rev. Billings Franklyn Jones

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The Universal Life Church Seminary is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, and Paganism.  We have two courses in Metaphysics, as well as courses in Mystical Christianity, Buddhism and Comparative Religion. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Comparative Religion

Comparative Religion Final essay

By Rev. Lauren Moloney

First, I would like to extend my thanks to Rev. Kythera Ann for putting her time, energy, and knowledge into this course. Also, to the Seminary director Rev. Amy Long for having the inspiration of starting the seminary to begin with. I am sure there are many of us who will agree.

Second, to say I loved this course. I was challenged. I appreciated having a break down of various beliefs that I normally would not have taken the time to learn about, much less even thought of.

For the final essay we were asked to write about what we have gained from this course. What we liked most, what we liked least, any improvements we would suggest and comments that we had. As for what I have gained, the list could get as long as my “wish list” of books from the Recommended Reading section from each of the discourses.

Each of the religions mentioned have their similarities of course, but the details are where the biggest differences come in. Take the section in lesson 3 about the Golden Rule. With very few exceptions, most religions boil down to: treat everyone they way you want to be treated. But it’s where the emphasis comes in that says the most about each path. Like in Baha’i, in addition to their golden rule they added an aspect of personal integrity. Compare that to Islam, which starts off on a negative thought (“not one of you is a believer unless…”) and to Jainism and Native American, both of which include nature and “All things” in the rule. But only one of the rules listed, acknowledged that accomplishing this task is not always attainable. In Mencius VII.A.4 is says “Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence”. Try your best, isn’t that the simplest way to put it? We may not always get it right, but as long as our intent was there it counts.

I had heard about esoteric teachings, especially on the History channel when they have shows on about various religions. But exoteric was new to me, as a word at least. Mostly, I think this is because of our basic need/want to see behind the curtain. People don’t often talk about what they already know, they want to figure out the mysteries, solve the. These lessons had me enthralled. Although I think it is a bit arrogant of the former president Bush to say that the Universal Laws of Noah are “the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization”. Did he mean to say western civilization, or some variation? Because otherwise isn’t he implying that societies unaware of Noah were not civilized? This is not to say that I didn’t understand the greater lesson and importance of the legislation, it’s just that, that particular tidbit stuck out for me.

I could write about every discourse. Each one taught me something, even if it was that I had absolutely no interest in that particular religion at this point in time. Next week, who knows, I could find it most fascinating, which is why I didn’t mention which religion it was. And this takes us to what I liked the best.

Lesson 12 is the one I underlined and highlighted the most. Religious ceremonies are the meat and potatoes part of any religious practice. They connect and enrich. Especially when you think of how historically the feeling of being empowered by the members of the congregation was most likely not an emotion they felt often. It’s probably why people went to church so often.

It was amazing to see the similarities of the December rituals. Osiris, dies, is entombed and is reborn. Dionysos, was killed and is reborn. Jesus is born. Emperor Aurelian began the festival called the “Birthday of the Unconquered Sun”. I see a pattern here.

Rituals and Ceremonies give a sense of community and direction in an often lonely and chaotic world. As reverends and people of the cloth, it is our responsibility to provide the direction for the men and women who look to us for leadership. But just as important is allowing those same people, to provide their own direction. Being raised Catholic; this was my chief reason for leaving the church. But I digress.

Another area I liked, which is purely from a personal point of view, is now I can discuss concepts form various religions. From the concepts of sin and salvation (in lesson 11) to creating a sacred space (lesson 13) at the absolute least, this course has helped me become a better conversationalist.

I find it hard to answer the questions, what I liked least, and how I think these discourses can be improved.

Ecologically, I would have preferred the lessons be able to be printed out on fewer pages and using less ink without having to edit each section. I’m also a charts and lists kind of girl. I know this wouldn’t work on this level, but maybe throw some more in?

As far as suggestions go, discourse quizzes I’ve always found helped to focus me on aspects I may have overlooked. Most of the lessons had a question or two in the Suggested Activities section, maybe add a couple of questions to get the mental juices flowing. The only other suggestion I would make is, to make part 1 about 4 or 5 bigger religions and make each of those more in-depth, and then make part 2 about 4 or 5 other religions that may be lesser known. Or even mix them up say Part 1 is: Judaism, Christianity, Sikh, & Taoist. Than make Part 2 Buddhism, Wicca, Baha’i, Islam, & Jainism.

All in all, I would recommend this course even if it wasn’t a required class for graduation. It was well written, intelligent, even handed, and challenging.

When Part 2 comes out I will be signing up for that as well.

Thank you again,

Blessed Be,

Rev. Lauren Moloney

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

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Master of Religion

Dear Rev. Long,

Thank you for such a wonderful course. I thoroughly enjoyed the study course material I received during the 20 weeks.

Over the entirety of the learning session, I gained more knowledge about how the government and the Bible fit together, the Bible's layout, the history of Christianity and its church, how it applies to marriage and divorce, how it applies to sin such as prostitution and drugs, and many more things that I ever learned in a life time of attending church and Sunday school. Dr. Fuchs really makes this course personalized as if he is talking to me and not just generically to everyone like a regular instructor. He made it fun and exciting and I felt the material was never boring and dry.

The only thing I did not like about the course was the way it was presented. It is great that the course material came in the form of an email, but due to lack of portability, I could not take the material along with me to study, which I found to be hard to study on the go. If you take recommendations for future course study and presentation, I would suggest maybe changing the course presentation into a PDF file or maybe even a Word Doc. Another item for the course I would have suggested would be adding more materials teaching on the important characters of the bible and how they brought the Bible together to reach its uniformity.

Overall, again, I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I have recommended several of my friends who are or want to become ministers to take this course. I feel that this course should continue as an important element of the Seminary curriculum. It will serve as a great asset for Christian as well as non-Christian students alike. Keep up the good work.

Thank you again for a great course and I look forward to taking a few more in the future.

Sincerely,

Rev. Roger Goerrich

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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.

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

Comparative Religion

Final Exam

What I gained from this course was a more complete understanding of world religions and the persons whose beliefs were taught. I learned about different culture’s ideas of religion, deities, traditions and mores. The evolution of religion of various traditions in a historical and even geographical sense was taught in great detail in a concise and understandable manner. I learned that there was a sense of truth in all traditions. I also learned that a person’s age, location and societal traditions will have a great effect upon their own particular religious beliefs.

Many traditions share similar core beliefs and mythology. Many such religions will have a good/evil stand point or a trickster/hero perspective such as God/Jesus/Angels and Satan/Devil/Demon. Many of these stories were based upon proven historical events and were instrumental in social changes. Other unproven or not historical events were used to inspire and teach people. All religions seem to want to give their populace inspiration and a hero worthy of emulation.

I learned that to be an effective minister that I should learn to have a greater understanding a person’s religious traditions. To learn and understand about various religious perspectives helps me tremendously in understanding that person and helping to create an ecumenical atmosphere and to help eliminate bias or bigotry based upon misconceptions or misunderstanding.

The best part of this course for me was learning of little known religions. Here in West Texas or other parts of the deep South where I have lived we have little religious variety. It was very interesting to learn about American Indian, Indian, Asian and other traditions. It was especially nice to find some of the recommended reading. The books and web sites were very well done and usually led to an even greater curiosity.

The course itself was outlined well. There was a general overview usually followed by a more in-depth explanation in later discourses. There were beautiful and colorful pictorial illustrations included within the lessons. There were always interesting websites listed in the recommended activities for the week. The graphs and tables shown were well drawn, well thought out and in simple yet effective terms.

Many lessons were about religious terminology. Kythera Ann was very methodical about her definitions and illumination of these terms. Her tremendous grasp of vocabulary and terminology shows in her ability to explain these terms to a layman in an easy to understand and very interesting format. She was instrumental in doubling the size of my religious vocabulary as well as my personal religious library. She explained such formerly abstract terms such as esoteric and exoteric, theology, theosophy, Angelophany, Hermeticism, Alchemy, symbolism, religion, and religious titles. Due to her vivid explanations I became interested in Gnosis and was able to hear one of the leading Gnostics of our time, Dr. Stephen Hoeller, on a recording. Her explanation of the Jewish faith, rabbinical translations and the explanation of “What is Sacred Text” led me to study the Interlinear Greek Translation of the Bible as well as learn more about Kabala.

Because of her inspiring descriptions and sensitive explanations of various traditions I was inspired to broaden not only my mind but my horizons as well. I was able to ask a number of foreign students about their own religious traditions. Due to this I learned a great deal about the Hindu religion, Rastafarianism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Gnosis, and a few various fundamental Christian sects. By doing so I was able to begin a few new meaningful and interesting friendships.

After every lesson there were recommended web pages. By reading these pages I was fueled to read other similar pages. It was doing this after her lesson on interfaith that led me to The Dance of Universal Peace and from there to learn about Inayat Khan, whose teaching remains with me until today. He said “Baga is the original state of God. At this state every being must arrive someday, consciously or unconsciously, before or after death. The beginning and end of all beings is the same, difference only being in the journey”. This must surely sum up the study of comparative religion. That is to say, as I understand it, we are all going toward the same place, on different roads, together.

What I liked least about these courses was that some of the listed links were dead and I was unable to find them elsewhere. I also was saddened a bit when the course was over. It is a truly enlightening experience.

I believe that although it has been said there is always room for improvement, that Kythera Ann has done such a marvelous job on these discourses, that perhaps perfection is best left as is. I am looking forward to a possible second part (CR201) with great anticipation.

Thank you for this enlightening and illuminating discourse. Thank you Amy for offering it and for the patience required in helping me with lost lessons. Thank you to Kythera Ann for the mind expansion. Special thanks to my new friends at ULC seminary online discussion for the endless encouragement and support.

Rev. Nannette Mathews, ULC Minister

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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.

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