Seminary Program

This is where we post the essays from many of our Universal Life Church Seminary students. When students finish a ULC course, they write a comprehensive essay about their experiences with the course, what they learned, didn't learn, were inspired by, etc. Here are their essays.

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Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Comparative Religion

Comparative Religion Course
The Comparative Religion course offered by the Universal Life Seminary filled in so many gaps for me and deepened my knowledge of the various great religions in so many ways.



I found a great benefit in the exceptional time spent in clarifying the specific definitions of terms and deities, the immensity of holidays and exactly what they mean, and the exact truth about the foundational beliefs and history of these great religions.



I have studied and practiced all the great religions over the years in depth yet this course made the deeper truths more tangible to me. Taking this course was also quite humbling as well and I felt I had a solid knowledge of most great religions but after studying and practicing this material, I realized that I truly did not. The exercises brought a lot of home inside of me in a real way, in a way that was both informatively experiential and in a way that I enjoyed doing. It deepened my own relationship to internal spirituality; clarifying some things, dropping others, slightly adjusting others... I feel like my own spirituality has grown from these courses as has my ability to be service to my clients as a spiritual advisor and teacher.



I have been involved deeply in many of the great religions, inducted into Sufism by Sheik Nur, personal teachings by Tibetan Lamas Sogyel Rinpoche and His Holiness Jamgon Kongtrul, the emanation of Manjushri, and more as I was under the personal guidance of the world famous scholar Dr. Lex Hixon for 10 years, a PhD from Columbia in Comparative Religion and author of many best sellers like “Coming Home” a book describing the Experience of Enlightenment as seen through all the religions. This course gave me much needed details and a deeper background which explained the actual spiritual practices I was involved in a way that I could take the practices deeper inside myself and to my students. I feel that prior to this course that I have haphazardly thrown around knowledge improperly for years. I feel so much more confident in the fullness of my knowledge now. There is a satisfying feeling after having taken this course. And I am inspired to take more courses from the Universal Life Seminary because of it. The 4 Gospels and the Druid course are next for me. I also loved the comparison/similarity theme/approach that she uses so regularly. Using direct comparison all the time is so different from taking just one course on one religion and then the next courser on another as I have taken them in the past. Her approach allowed my mind to see the similarities and the differences really clearly which I loved because my work involves teaching primarily that there are basic similarities found in all religions and that they are the wanting the same thing at their core. Being a student of all religions, the unifying nature of this course made me smile a lot, expand my awareness, and open my mind to places I had not gone before taking the lesson. It was very interesting, informative and not dry at all. I looked forward to every lesson.

I would have preferred proceeding at my own pace which would have allowed me to be connected more to my own flow of learning which is how I excel best and retain the most information


I would have loved to have been able to talk with other students and have live discussions on the topics. I would have loved a forum so all who were taking the classes could chat online and exchange opinions etc. and have the teacher available for commentary also.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this course and am grateful for having taken it. I learned so very much. I especially loved the graphics and the exercises. The exercises helped the material become real for me and I have passed this site and some of the exercises on to my own students with great success.


I am very interested in taking more courses from Kathryn as I thought she was an excellent presenter as she kept my interest with her attention to detail and all the graphics. I loved the use of the graphics. Keeping one interested in the material is an art form and I think she did a damn good job of it.



With Great Love and Respect,

Rev. Beverly Marie Bright



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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirituality Course

Rev. James Connor

I found these lessons most enlightening especially the Faith and Learning chapters. A number of years ago I met a man named Walter. He was close in age to me but he seemed to have a lot of knowledge about human nature, faith and wisdom.

It was a time in my life when I was questioning my own faith in God so I began to watch this man and how he handled different situations. One day he was ministering to another man who was acting very belligerent, self-centered and just plain obnoxious. After the conversation ended between them, the man who was angry left in a huff. I then walked over to my friend and asked, "How could you let him talk to you like that?" "If it was me I would have hauled off and punched him in the face." My friend, Walter replied saying,"Well he must have convinced himself that he was right and I was wrong".Walter then asked me if I knew that the spirit of God is in all of us and that is what needs to be expressed in our every day living.

He then continued to say, let the Lord find expression through you in love and forgiveness. Otherwise nothing will ever change in this war torn world unless the Lord finds expression through each one of us, through you Jim, through me and everyone else. Then the Lord will not be "missing in action". He will be right here on earth because we make it so by our every day expression of good faith in everything we say and do. When deep down in your heart you want to see peace on earth, then you are not concerned if someone else thinks they have gotten "the best of you". Let the Lord express through you and me, then things will change and we can truly love our neighbor as ourselves.

So to summarize: I did put the Lord in action through me and lo and behold, my expression did change and so did my whole life experience. I stopped judging people and started to handle different situations with love and forgiveness. It wasn't long after that previous episode occurred that the fruits of my labor of controlling myself first, then I could really let God do his work on earth through me. Only when I was ready did I make the decision that now is the time to know the Lord.

Rev. James Connor


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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Four Gospels

Four Gospels through ULC Seminary
The Four Gospel’s Final Essay
By Rev. Nancy Rutledge

The Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (and Thomas) was a very interesting course. I took this course to gain a better understanding of the Gospels. I liked the textbook: The Unvarnished Gospels. It was like four different people. Some parts are in agreement while others leave the reader wondering if indeed the writers are talking about the same person. During this course I realized that the Four Gospels were written by many people with eyes that did not witness these events. Each writer brings his own background and motivations to their writings.

Matthew, Mark and Luke were more alike than John who wrote and made his Gospel available ninety years after the death of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel was about twice as much as Mark. Mark’s was so short it left out the whole story of the Sermon on the Mount. Luke only included two sentences on the Sermon on the Mount.

On baptism in Matthew, John the Baptist began preaching through the desert of Judea that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. John invited the people to repent and be cleaned of their sins in the River Jordan. I wonder what John the Baptist meant by the Kingdom of Heaven at hand. I can only guess that it meant Jesus was coming to show them the new way. The Pharisees and the Sadducees wanted to be baptized but without changing their old ways.

Mark talked about how he was going to bathe the people (rather than baptize them) and he was washing for a change of heart. In Mark’s world, everything was on a spiritual level. There was no physical dove. It was a spiritual event. John later did not want to baptize the priest because he recognized that their hearts were not changed.

Luke was the longest book of the four. The Gospel of Luke is probably one of the more interesting books, because Luke never met Jesus and he was also a Gentile. Luke wrote his book for the Roman Emperor. Luke writes about John the Baptist. Luke just talks about John the Baptist preaching to the masses as well as spreading wisdom about how people can prepare for the coming of a messenger of God.

John is one of the most hotly debated Gospels of the Four Gospels. It was written and made available ninety years after the death of Jesus. This Gospel gives a condensed version of what John the Baptist did. John tells the people that he is not the Annointed one, but is there to pave the way for him. John proclaims Jesus is the Son of God. John writes here as if he is talking at people, rather than to the people.

There are so many different versions of the Gospel and each differs from the other. You just can’t get enough of the Gospels. This is the first time I read a Greek translation and it was a very informative point of view.


Rev. Nancy Rutledge




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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Druidism

Druidism at ULC Seminary
Druidism Course
ULC Seminary


The Master of Druidism has proven to be a valuable course for learning the most possible about this great and ancient religion of the Druids. The course was fascinating and very valuable. I highly recommend that anyone interested in learning about the Druids both ancient and modern take this course.

Even though most of what we know about the Druids is from the writings of the Romans and the Greeks, due to the fact the Druids did not record their history in writing, this course really gives us great insight into the modern practice of Druidism and incorporates the aspect of the ancient Druids as best as any one could do. This ancient religion is one of the most fascinating religions of the Gaul and Celtic People's and one that I am glad is being carried on today by modern Druids.

Again, I cannot stress enough how excellent this course has been and the information gained through it is invaluable. Please, I encourage all of you, to take the course and learn all you can about the Druids. I hope you do and I hope you find it as fascinating and satisfying as I did.
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Sincerely,
Judge Edward Singleton

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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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Spirit Quest

Spirit Quest
Spirit Quest Completion Essay
Rev. Sharon J. Mayer

Since the last chapter of Spirit Quest arrived I have been going over all the chapters again to insure I have not missed any important information or something that would continue to change the course of my thinking and life. I do miss receiving the lessons since the end of the thirty weeks. The time has moved by so quickly that I had not realized the course had been completed when I received the final chapter.

When I first started this course I was very skeptical of the information being given. I decided that it was time to try something new in my life so started practicing each of the lessons. There were some ups and downs during the time I was receiving the lessons. At first I didn’t see a change in my thinking or attitude but gradually the change came about without my realizing what was transpiring. I found that I was stronger and was standing up for my rights without noticing. People started respecting me and things were going my way in a positive manner. Without being pushy or brash I was starting to get respect.

In the last few weeks I have changed employment and had some up and down experiences with equipment glitches, training, and a slow start. I put on an extra push of grounding, the Golden Sun, use of roses to clean up areas of my thinking, destroying roses, and sending golden roses to the training staff that didn’t feel I had what it took at my advanced age to complete the training. I was graduated with my class but it was thought I would not stay on the job or make the cut in the ninety days of probation. This week I was number one on my new team of four new associates and twelve seasoned associates and was earning respect from my peers and the supervisory staff. I have some way to go to the ninety day cut off but this is an excellent start.

Each day I ground myself at my desk, start the day with lots of clearing of “old thoughts” and fill my space with golden sun. I use many roses for finding my way, getting things cleaned out, destroying negative things and thoughts, surrounding my area, and to send to people with “hello” or just as a gift of thought. I have a stressful job and deal with difficult people for ten hours a day. The callers are concerned about their finances and want me to give them the ability to handle their money problems when they make mistakes. I find I care about them but am able to do the job without being upset and taking things personally. Before the course I would not have been able to do this at all.

My life has greatly improved over the last thirty some weeks and my change in attitude with the thought “In my world” this will or will not happen has been a definite plus.

I will continue the practice presented to me and will miss a new chapter each week now that I have completed the course. My favorite tool now is the rose. It is so easy for me even while dealing with a caller to create a rose to send to them or to surround my space with a positive field.

The miracles in my life since I started the course are many. The new job, new thought patterns, new me. I am a completely new person in many respects. Not pushy but able to get what I deserve and what is wanted for me to have.

Each day I repeat “You are a perfect being. God loves you. You were created in perfection, by perfection, for perfection. Your success is guaranteed.” Each day I say this the feeling that everything will be done properly and to my advantage is stronger. I am so thankful that I took the class.

The class was well written and presented in an easy to use and understandable manner. I would love to see a Spirit Quest II to go forward with the training. The only thing I found that would have made the class and information easier would have been if the format of the material had been easier to print. Many of the words on the borders were cut off and some of the early chapters on the computer screen were missing. Later chapters were fine.

I am on the road to being a completely new person and I am enjoying every minute of this new life! I am so grateful for the Spirit Quest course.

By Rev Sharon J. Mayer


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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Buddhism

Buddhism
Kenneth J. Swanson

It has been seven months since I sat down to write this. To me, it would be easier to answer the Zen Koan “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” I know that clapping involves two hands, so there is no logical answer to this question. I feel that this course has not been about what “was” stated, but “how” it was stated in order to make me think into the nature of reality. In my humble way, I will try to explain Buddhism from my perspective.

Buddhism began about 2500 years ago in Northeast India. It is based on the teachings of an Indian noblemen Siddhartha Gautama, born 563 BCE in Kapilavastu, India, who became the Buddha, and enlightened, after many years of fasting and hardship in the village of Bodh Gaya. He realized that because people suffered because they wanted more than they had.

Buddhists do not worship Buddha as a god, but honor him as a great teacher. They follow his teaching as a guide to living and understanding the world. Today, there are approximately 360,000,000 Buddhists in the world.

Buddha traveled and taught for about 45 years after his enlightenment. Nothing he said was written down during his lifetime. But he entrusted individuals with memorizing each discourse. He died at the age of 80 in Kushinagara, India. According to legend, before his death he stated “do not accept any of my words on faith, believing them just because I said them. Be like an analyst buying gold who cuts, burns, and critically examines his product for authenticity. Only accept what has passed the test by proving useful and beneficial in your life.” This statement gives Buddhists the power to accept or reject anything said by the Buddha or his disciples.

Like Christianity or Islam, Buddhism is a misisionary religion. Within 300 years after Buddha’s death, it spread beyond India and reached Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Monks and travelers carried it to other parts of Asia. It reached Japan and Tibet in the Seventh Century.

According to Buddhism, liberation is attained through understanding and practice of the Four Noble Truths:

* There is suffering in life
* Suffering is caused by desire for pleasure, existence, and prosperity
* Suffering and rebirth cease when one ceases such desires leading to enlightenment (or Nirvana), a blessed state in which peace, harmony, and joy are attained.
* The way, or path, to Nirvana is the Eightfold Path, which is:
o Right understanding’
o Right thought
o Right speech
o Right conduct
o Right occupation
o Right meditation
o Right mindfulness
o Right effort

The Eightfold Path is also called the Middle Way because it emphasizes avoiding such extremes as following sensuous pleasures on one hand and self-punishment on the other. A Buddhist must at all times observe the high moral principles in the Eightfold Path which emphasizes non-violence and the brotherhood of all.

The best-known Buddhist scriptures are the Tripitake (“Three Baskets”). First written down in Ceylon by the Sixth Buddhist Council held at Rangoon, Burma in 1954-56. The three Pitakas are about four times as long as the Bible.

There are two major groups in Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana. The name Theravada means “the way of the elders.” It is an austere religion that requires solitude, meditation, and self-mastery through which each follower hopes to achieve Nirvana. Because of these requirements, the possibility of liberation is limited to monks and nuns who spend most of their time in meditation and teaching. It is sometimes called “Hinayana Buddhism,” or “Small Vehicle.”

The Mahayana means “Large Vehicle.” It is less austere than Theravada, and it emphasizes liberation for everyone. Many Mahayana Buddhists believe in liberation through good faith and good works. Their object in life is not only to obtain Nirvana, but to help others to that goal. The Mahayanas have developed a system of Buddhas. The most important Buddha is Amitaba (or Amida), to whom appeals for deliverance can be made. Some Mahayana Buddhist also believe in a boddisatvas called Kwan Yin (in China) and Kwannon (in Japan), or Jizo, in Japan.

Many hundreds of texts make up the sacred texts of Buddhism. Different Buddhist groups follow their own sets of scriptures. Some texts are said to be accounts of the Buddha’s teachings, and others are works of great Buddhist monks and teachers. The sacred texts of the Theravada Buddhists are collected together in the Tripitaka or Pali Canon. The sacred texts of the Mahayana Buddhists are called Sutras.

To me, Buddhism is a way of seeing things as they present to me. I have a favorite Zen saying: “When you see horns over the hedge, you know there is an ox on the other side.” We spend so much time in our lives questioning what things mean—interpreting and analyzing; and sometimes you need to just accept what is there in front of you at that moment, and deal with that, fully, living in the moment.

Kenneth J. Swanson, Rev.


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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

A Course In Miracles

ULC Seminary - A Course in Miracles
There is only one way to expose and an untruth, a lie, and regain our freedom. We must decide to do so. Since it is a decision of the mind that chooses slavery it is only a decision of the mind that can bring freedom. The one miraculous power we have in this world is our power to decide. Our decision for freedom over slavery lines us up on the side of strength instead of weakness.

The Course teaches that we are always deciding between our strengths and our weaknesses. Our decisions reinforce what we think is real. When we choose the truth over a lie we give no power to the lie of our weakness. The Course says this is because we bring our weakness to God and he gives us His strength instead. His strength is our truth.

According to the Course our number one job in the dream world is to separate truth from illusion. Once we can tell these two apart we can use our miraculous power to decide for one or the other. When we decide for the truth we put ourselves in God’s hands.

It has well been said that when you’re up against what you think are impossible odds the only thing left for you to do is surrender. Remember nothing in this world is either good or bad. There is nothing in this world that the Holy Spirit cannot use for His holy purposes once it is surrendered to Him.

When we surrender our addiction to the Holy Spirit we enter a miraculous state of mind. In this state our perception and belief about our addiction changes. We no longer see it as a reason to condemn ourselves but rather as a reason to forgive ourselves. Forgiveness frees the mind of guilt. When this occurs the thing that we are addicted to gets anchored to love instead of fear. It then looses its hold over us because we loose our motivation to attack ourselves with it. Stripped of its unholy purpose it takes on new meaning. It becomes an instrument of peace instead of attack. Meanwhile we can see that we are free to choose it or not choose it. We can live with it or without it.


Rev. David Knight


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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Comparative Religion

Peggy L. Mott

GENDER IN RELIGION

Nowhere in the discourses was any discussion to be found of the mention of god not necessarily being male in many religions. There are, in fact, a number of such religions that believe that there is a male half and a female half of the deity. The discussion on Buddhism for example ignored this aspect of that religion. The many portrayals of Buddha show that there are times when Buddha is female or male. In fact, if the photograph in that section is of the White Jade Buddha found in a temple in China, that personage is female.

Gnostic Christians also worshiped both a Mother God and a Father God. The name Asna, among others, has been used to denote the Mother God, while the Father God has many other names and or titles.

Other religions around the world have also had female deities. Several years ago archeologists in Turkey uncovered a temple to the goddess Fortuna. There is also Inanna1

It was extremely disappointing to find so little mention of the part that gender and gender discrimination plays and has played in religions around the world and over time. Two short paragraphs near the end of the course were all that were found in the discourses. Those two paragraphs could actually be summed up in the one sentence that stated, “gender roles both social and religious have a great deal to do with the exercise of power.”

It was also disappointing to find there was little mention of the many female deities to be found in so many different religions across the world. We can find mention of Inanna in ancient Sumer as well as Ishtar in Babylon, Aphrodite in Greece, Isis in Egypt and Anat in Canaan.

Cultures in Polynesia, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and yes, even North America have the female principles in their religions. In other words, this female principle has been found all over the world. Native Americans worshiped a number of deities including one who was both female and male at once. Most native peoples also worshiped Father Sky AND Mother Earth. There seems to be a plethora of female deities all across the world. So why were these female principles left out of a study of comparative religions?

In Discourse 18 there was a brief paragraph explaining that the term priestess is not used as often in certain Christian churches to refer to female priests but instead they are simply referred to as priests like their male counterparts. The use of the word endings such as “ess” or “ette” are meant to inform those hearing or reading such words that a female is being referred to and those ending denote the diminutive which in turn denotes lesser than or not as good as. This explanation of the use of priest to mean either female or male might have been fit better in the discussion of gender. However, the fact that it was in the discourses will please a few who are aware of the gender bias in not only religions but in almost every facet of societies.



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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Paganism

Paganism paper
Rev. Kurt Fondriest



In reading the weekly courses I found, or rediscovered parts of my spirituality that I had forgotten for some reason or another. I connected with the symbolism used in many aspects, especially during a ritual.

I gained a better understanding of what the definition of what ritual means to me. I also discovered things I was already doing in my daily spiritual practice. I found the creating a sacred place very important. I use the top of my bedroom dresser. I don't keep it just for my spiritual part however for my ordinary life objects, such as keys, glasses, etc. Here is my keys next to my sacred stone. For me this enabled me to see all as a whole. I see my life as a circle created from many slices. Some slices are larger some are smaller. Keeping my sacred space with my normal space is reassuring for me. I don't always have to find a sacred space all by myself, or a space designated just for rituals. I can incorporate spaces and objects in my life to reflect in various parts of my journey.

I also discovered through the various readings that many religions historically overlap. I don't know why people try to defend their religion as the correct one, however paganism to me seems to be the truest one. It involves my connection with life. I see the spirit of life in motion, just by the seasons coming and going. I don't have to find faith in a concept of GOD in some ritual wrapped in mystery. The EARTH for me is a living spirit. It enables us to live so it then must be with life.For me this way of seeing is natural. I can see symbolism of life through the change of seasons. Fall is when we start to decide what thoughts of ourselves are we going to hold onto or just let go. Winter is a time of inner reflection. Spring is a time that blossoms our inner thoughts that we have reflected on. Summer is thought in motion.

While taking the course I read two books that were mentioned in the readings. "The Pagan Path" the Wiccan way of life by Janet and Stewart Farrar. The Path Of The Green Man, by Michael Thomas Ford. They were very resourceful in expanding on certain topics. I found the Green man more interesting, as being a man who is gay I could relate to many of the symbols represented through the book.

I thought the course was very good and informative. It enabled one to find what part of Paganism that interest them and to go further with it. I have contacted a group here in Chicago and plan on meeting up with them.


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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Master of Religion

Master in Religion at ULC Seminary
ESSAY FOR THE MASTER IN RELIGION

Praise the Lord! I truly believe that these lessons was a divine set up by God. I thank God for all these lessons because it has equipped me for full time ministry. I now know that it is in God I move, breath and have my being. I thank God for the first lesson. The first lesson began by showing you clearly that the bible being God true word has many books in total sixty-six. It also showed why the word of God is true because of the many prophecies that has come true. The proper way to approach the word of God is not only to be humble about your acquired knowledge, but also to find belief in God to an effective bible study.

However, lesson two dealt with the Old Testament, and lesson seven along with lessons ten dealt with worship which was most inspiring and uplifting to me. The Old Testament, lesson two, was my favorite because it thought me of the children of Israel and the sins that was done and the different remedy that was used to take away sin. The priest like Moses and Aron along with his sons, was to use a blood sacrifice for the sins of the children of Israel.

Lastly, Lesson seven which topic was Priesthood and Missionary Duties, brought me into my destination in ministry along with the other lessons . I always wanted to be a pastor but I did not know who was a good candidate for being being a pastor. As I read this lesson I know that I was in for ministry. I don't know when but I know that their is a calling on my life to preach the word of God. Overall, this degree was a spiritual encouragement to me and it helped me to reach where I needed to go in the work of God.

A special thanks goes out to you Amy and may God richly bless you.



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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.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.



Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar