Comparative Religion

Mithraism and its Effects on the Early Roman Church©

Mithraism an Introduction

One of the key points of Mithraism is the prevention of the human ego from turning our hearts to stone. Man’s greed and corruption must be controlled in order to overcome the ego. One must turn their head away from the physical as the intellect is unable to overcome the ego. It is only when we look with our hearts believing that Mithra, our only crown, that a successful battle against ego can fought. It is only on the path of Mithra with the guidance of the Father who has already slain the Bull that we can demonstrate literally that Love moves the Universe. This is perhaps one of the greatest mystery within the Cult of Mithras.

Persian traditions tell us that the god Mithras was actually born into the human form of a Savior as predicted by Zarathustra. The mother of Mithras was Anahita, said to be an immaculate virgin mother who was at a time worshiped as a fertility goddess before the Zoroastrian reformation. Anahita was said to have conceived the Savior from the seed of Zarathustra preserved in the waters of Lake Hamun in the Persian province of Sistan.

Another legend has it that his birth took place in a cave or a deep hole in the ground, where shepherds attended him and regaled him with gifts, at the winter solstice. This is an older myth about the birth of Mithra, and that his magical birth at the dawn of time was from a rock from which he formed himself using only his ‘will’. In his hands he holds a dagger and a torch and is the twelve signs of the zodiac surround him, showing his image as a stellar god who rules the cosmos even at his birth. Some statues and paintings show a serpent to be coiled around the feet of the Mithras or birth stone. Upon his death 208 B.C. at the age of 64, it is said that Mithra ascended into heaven

Not long after his birth he challenged other forces when the world was young and after his battle with the Sun he formed a friendship with him. As a result of this friendship Mithras was bestowed with a crown of rays from the Sun. Mithras was regularly identified by his worshipers with the Sun or as the Son of the Sun.

Mithra’s birth was celebrated at the winter solstice because on this day, it was believed that the Sun began its journey to the northern skies.

Some images depict Mithras on horseback with bow and arrow in his hand, hunting a stag whose horn is represented by the crescent moon. He may be seen accompanied by a lion, snake and a dog.

Mithras was to rule over the changes of the seasons and the movement of the heavens themselves and this was represented celestially by watching the movement of the constellations.

Later as the Romans began their world conquests many of the soldiers embarassed this religion, bringing it back to Rome with them from Persia and the far east. Some high placed priests captured in those lands were also relocated to various parts of the Roman empire and much of the Mithraian religion was changed to satisfy the new rulers especially in Britain, Spain, Italy, and even Greece

Tauroctony ( Bull-slaying scene)

The slaying of a Bull was the central to the Western form of Mithraism and was present within every Temple. Here all the mystery of this tradition comes together, showing its Persian origins and the incorporation of Roman astrology and Greek mythology, giving rise to an esoteric path that must have made a lasting impression on those who were prepared to follow its path. The Bull that Mithra kills is his ego, which is the aim of all followers of Mithra.

Mithras is usually facing away from the Bull with one foot on its back and, one hand holding the bull's head and, the other hand stabbing the bull in the neck where blood spews forth. Near him there is a dog, a raven, a scorpion, a snake, a lion, a cup. There is an ear of wheat is growing from the tip of the bulls tail. The cloak of Mithras represents the night sky with stars and the signs of the zodiac which surround the whole scene. Symbols of the seven planets are present while two torch bearers of Mithras stand at either side of the bull slaying scene.

The two torchbearers are Cautes and Cautopates who symbolise the equnioxes; Cautes torch is pointing upward for the spring equinox, while Cautopates torch is pointing down for autumn equinox.

Mithras was asked by the sun to kill the Bull, but he was reluctant to do it. The Raven, the messenger of the Sun, comes to him again with the message and this time Mithras goes into the field, captures the Bull and bodily lifts the back legs of the bull over his shoulder and drags him to the cave of his birth. The crescent moon over the bull suggests a connection to the moon.

After Mithras kills the bull, its blood comes the wine and all the useful plants that cover the earth. Its tail became wheat which gave us our bread. The seed and the genitals of the bull are taken to the moon goddess and purified giving rise to all animals. By slaying the first Bull, becomes the worlds co-creator as life comes to the earth

In the west Mithra is best known as cult of Mithras which had an immense popularity among the Roman Legions, From late 1st century BC until 4th century AD. During which it came under the influence of Greek and Roman mythologies. However like other mystery traditions of that period (the Eleusinian mysteries and Isian mysteries) the Mithraic cult maintained secrecy and its teaching were only revealed to initiates. Remains of Mithraic temples can be found through out the Roman empire, from Palestine across north of Africa, and across central Europe to North of England.

The Rites of Mithras

There were seven degrees of initiation, these degrees allowed the neophyte to proceed through the seven celestial bodies. Allowing the reversing of the human soul’s descent into the world at birth. Ascending the seven heavens and walking through Milky Way and returning to the origin of the Soul. The initiates worked with the four elements and seven planetary energies. The initiations involved purifications and ordeals.

The first degree was of corax (Raven) under Mercury. This stage symbolized death of neophyte. In ancient Persia it was a custom to expose dead bodies to be eaten by ravens on funeral towers. Raven as symbol of death can also be seen in some tarot packs as card 13 instead of Grim Reaper. At this stage the neophyte dies and is re-born into a spiritual path. A mantra was given to him to repeat and his sins were washed away by baptism in water.

The next degree is of Nymphus(male-bride) under Venus. The neophyte wears a veil and carries a lamp in his hand. He is unable to see the light of truth until the veil of reality is lifted. He is vowed to the cult, and becomes celibate for at least duration of this stage. He is a bride(lover) of Mithra. He also offers a cup of water to the statute of Mithra, the cup is his heart and the water is his love.

On reaching Miles (solider) under Mars, the neophyte had to kneel naked (casting off old life), blindfolded with hands tied. (In similar manner of Wiccan initations) He was then offered a crown on the point of a sword. Once crowned, his binds were cut with a single stroke of the sword and blindfold removed. This represented his liberation from bondages of the material world. He would then remove the crown from his head and placing it on his shoulder, saying: "Mithra is my only crown" (Fanz Cumont, The Mysteries of Mithra). This also symbolizes the removing the head itself, allowing Mithra to be the guide. The meaning of the first part of Taliesin's Song of the Macrocosm refers to this and his initiation.

At this stage the neophyte starts the real battle against his lower self, a solider is one actively struggles with the real enemy. The stage of Leo (lion) is first of the senior degrees and is under Jupiter. He is entering the element of fire. Therefore the lions were not allowed to touch water during the ritual, and instead honey was offered to the initiate to wash his hands and anoint his tongue. The lions carry the food for the ritual meal that was prepared by the lower grades to the ritual feast, and take part. Lion’s duties included attending the sacred altar flame. The ritual feast represented Mithra’s last supper of bread and wine with his companions, before his ascend to the heavens in Suns chariot.

The degree of Perses (Persian) under moon, "The initiate to this grade obtained through it an affiliation to that race which alone was worthy of receiving the highest revelations of wisdom of Magi" (Fanz Cumont, Rapport sur une mission a Rome, in Academic des inscrition et Belles-Letters, Comptes Rendes, 1945 p.418). The emblem for this stage was a harpe, the harpe that Persus decapitated the Gorgon. Symbolizing the destruction of the lower and animal aspect of the initiate. The initiate was also purified with honey as he was under the protection of the Moon. "Honey is associated with purity and fertility of the moon as this was, in ancient Iran believed to be the source of honey, and thus the expression of honey-moon denotes not the period of a month after marriage, but continued love and fertility in married life." (Dr. Masoud Homayouri, Origin of Persian Gnosis).

Daniels, Mithras and his temples on the Wall). Mithra also presided over changing of seasons and the movement of heavens themselves, The scene of Mithra slaying a bull represents, "the precession of the equinoxes; Mithra was in effect moving the entire universe" (Professor David Ulansey, The origins of Mithraic Mysteries). Mithras represented by constellation Persus changes the position of the celestial sphere by slaying constellation Taurus and moving the earth into constellation Aries at spring equinox, this miracle of Mithra is product of Roman astrologers and a latter development that is not seen in Iran to the same extent. However the celebration for changing of seasons was carried out both by western and eastern followers of Mithra: Nou-roz (spring equinox), Mehregan (autumn equinox), Shab-Yalda (winter solstice) and summer solstice.

As Christianity gathered momentum and eventually became the Roman Empires state religion, Mithraism was not tolerated. The Apologist saw it as a "satanic transversty of the holiest rites of their religion." Fanz Cumont, The Mysteries of Mithra). Nevertheless Catholicism has preserved some of the outer form of Mithraism to name some; the timing of Christmas, Bishops adaptation of miters as sign of their office, Christians priests becoming Father despite Jesus specific proscription of the acceptance of such title (Matthew 23:9), and "the Mithraic Holy father wore a red cap and garment and a ring, and carried a shepherds staff. The Head Christian adopted the same title and outfitted himself in the same manner." (William Harwood, Mythology's Last Gods: Yahweh and Jesus). While the outer appearance of Mithraism can be detected in Catholicism, some traces of the inner teachings of Mithraism can be found in Sufisim, therefore study of Sufisim allows a new insight into Mithraism, and possibly vice versa.

There is so much more that is out of the scope of this document if you are interested in Mithraism.

What I was astonished to find was the parallels between the Catholic Church and Mithraism, which I believe were borrowed or perhaps stolen by the Roman Church to compete with Mithraism

For example, the story of the virgin birth; that is found in many religions not just Christianity and Mithraism, and other things were ‘borrowed.’

For example:

a. There are seven sacraments or levels in both.

b. The move of Jesus birthday to December 25, which is also Mitra’s birthdate.

c. A baptism is required by both religions. Mithraism used blood, and Christians use water as the blood of the lamb.

d. The Roman Church built St Peters and other Papal buildings on the sites of previous Mithrian temples in Rome. Probably in a final effort to stamp out it’s competition.

I believe that the Roman Church would have over taken Mithraism in time due to its being a male only religion.

From this course I gained a huge of information on religions I had never heard of and a lot of additional information on the ones I knew of.

What I liked best was depth of knowledge supplied and many links to other sites for further information.

What I liked least??? That’s difficult to say. At first I thought 6 months was too long, but then after seeing the content of the lessons maybe I wrong.

To improve the course perhaps the lessons could be supplied via CD or DVD.

I will be taking further courses in the future.

Rev. Thomas J. Benton

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Religious Philosophy

Pondering the Human Need for a Religious Experience

As stated by Richard Chamberlain in the closing of the course the dictionary defines philosophy as being an “inquiry into the nature of things.” It also defines religion as “the expression of man’s belief on and reverence for a superhuman power.” For many years I have been exploring the reason for religion and the human need to have a religion or ceremonial commitment to fulfill a need in their lives. This is one of the reasons I enrolled in the class to see if I could find answers to my questions or a dialog of discussion that might give me understanding of why this seems to be a human requirement. The theories that were presented did give some answers and more questions to go forward to continue my study and thoughts on the subject.

As a mature citizen of the United States I can remember when we didn’t have religion in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag or in the schools. In this day we hear that it is a shame we are not allowed to pray in school or post the Ten Commandments. I never prayed in school and “Under God” was added to the pledge on June 14th 1954 during the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. I was sixteen years old at the time. Why did this come about? Many people join religious congregations and organizations that have a formal ritual. Is that a fundamental driving force that is inherent to the needs of humans? Is this the reason we have religious institutions?

It is said when we come to earth we are a clean slate ready to be taught and given a change to grow in spiritual knowledge. Is there as tiny seen that is also a part of us that comes into being during the learning process? Is it germinated when we attend these ceremonies, and participate in the sacraments, or read prescribed texts? Is there a timeline for all this to happen? Some come to religion early and fade away while others come late as they reach a point of understanding. Some never come to that point in their lifetime. So what is the driving force and why do some people not have the urge or need for religion to make them feel fulfilled and some require more than others? After reading the thoughts put forth in the lessons I have a new understanding of why most humans need to be a part of a congregation and practice a religion.

I grew up in a home without religion. My maternal grandfather had been raised in a very strict religious home but as an adult he practiced no religion nor did my grandmother although she was brought up in the church. My mother professed to be an atheist and my father’s family was not in the picture as he had left when I was very young. I heard some say he had wanted a religious vocation at one time before I was born but I never knew him to attend church. At the age of five or six I found a Bible and asked the person who cared for me to read me a story from the new book I had found. Lillian looked through the book and read the Twenty-third psalm to me. When I asked her what the rest of the book was about she told me it was about a man named Jesus who taught people to be good to one another. Lillian was an Orthodox Jew and at the time she was reading to me her family was being killed in Europe for practicing their faith by a man who stated God was on his side. This sweet lady asked many of our neighbors until she found a family to take me to a church so I could learn about Jesus. Her actions and kindness have been a guide for me all of my years and led me to join the ministry.

So why did a small girl need to go to church when the family did not attend? Why did she walk over a mile to attend services and Sunday School on her own? What was the spark that made this child want to find out truths and what is the spark that makes me continue to look for answers as I age? When I think of how I was drawn to religion and a need to continue searching for a fulfilling meaning to my life I remember my childhood and wonder if there is a cord of thought that pulls us home? Home being the area of our lives that compels us to believe, worship, study, and learn. I sometimes think of the little light in E.T.s chest that glowed when he was to be taken home to his planet. Do humans have a spark like that? The other thing I think of is the children’s song “This Little Light of Mine” ---- I’m going to let it shine. If we do have a light that is the spark that leads us to knowledge is it a light that shines when we are near understanding? The authors thought enough about this to write a story and song about this light that needed to shine for our understanding and to draw others to faith.

These are questions that were presented during the twenty-four weeks of the course. Each chapter of the course led to more contemplation. This course had opened the door to much more than just the weeks of study I have completed. I will continue to ponder the points that were brought up and walk the paths that were pointed out with the new directions I was given to continue my understanding and study.

This was a very exciting course and the study will continue as I am not sure there are answers to all the questions and since many great thinkers have gone before me and each has a part of the whole to reach understanding the quest for study will continue. There are just so many more possibilities to continue thinking about and ponder. Isn’t that what Religious Philosophy is about? An inquiry into things about the why of religion and why some humans have a deep seated need to practice a religion and some do not.

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.

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Masters of Religion

Masters of Religion course Dissertation paper

By Rev. Jacob Holt

The Masters of Religion course taught me to realize that no matter what religion you practice, whether it's Muslim or Christian there is only one (1) Lord and God. The only difference is the belief system of the religion you practice. It is an ongoing battle of who's "Right" and who's "Wrong" based on the bibles interpretation. The bibles interpretation has been twisted and cut & pasted for many generations and also in today's society. The main problem is that the bible is taught opposite of its purpose. If the bible is taught the real way it was meant to be taught and transcribed stating its exact interpretation, there would be no mis-interpretation. What each book of the bible says is exactly what happened at that point in time. For example, if John the Baptist baptized Jesus, then that's what we should teach that he did. Not argue the fact that just because Jesus is the Messiah then he didn't need baptism. That just shows ignorance of the fact that Jesus was born of the flesh and was in human form for his life. He came to be among men, and not to be considered "special". Another misconception is the fact that people and society in general think that the bible has a lot of contradiction when in actuality it doesn't. To prove that point, consider answering this question if you consider the bible to contradict itself. How can the bible contradict itself if it is 66 individual books, written on three (3) continents, in three (3) languages over a period of 1500 years by more than 40 authors who have written the same material?

When you look past all the contradictions of how the bible is to be taught, we should look at what is accepted and what is not accepted in the church. When it boils down to it, the bible teaches us to love and forgive all and to love and accept all. No matter what the persons past is or the trials and tribulations they experienced. When we realize this and accept it, how do we react when and if a prostitute visits our church to worship? It is taught that God is the judge, not us. How ever long a person takes to resolve the problem of his/her life is between the person and God only. As Christians, we know that prostitution is wrong or bad. But when such a person visits the church we are not to turn them away. We are to accept them, teach them and influence them other wise they would not have visited the church, right? Then when we have saved a life or if we do, God will forgive with all his love, and we can only save a person that has come to be saved, expressed all of their sin to God and continue to realize through faith and respect for self. The same goes for all addictions of the flesh.

The final topic that I consider debated is divorce. The bible teaches of divorce of countries and only that both Jesus and Paul only recognized the "possibility" of divorce. But does not specifically describe what is to be divorced, does it? The course itself teaches divorce from marriage. Divorce can be sinful too. Although the sin lies in the months and years spent that lead to divorce. To help reconcile a mariage is to forgive the sin with the heart. On the matter of forgiveness and just before discussing divorce, Jesus said to the disciples "So also shall my heavenly Father do to you if you from your hearts forgive not men their trespasses". What that tells me is that in all we do in our daily lives we must forgive, ask for forgiveness from the heart and we shall be forgiven by God. In my completion of the course, it has opened my heart to accept all things as they are as well as to give forgiveness as well as ask for it in times of need.

Thank you so much Amy for helping me when i was having difficulties in recieving the lessons throughout the course! You have done a stupendous job with the Seminary and look forward to my completing my next courses too!

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

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

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

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A Course in Miracles

A Course in Miracles - Every Day Miracles

Final essay

Rev. William Fowler

The title for this course is easily overlooked because the eye focuses on the word ‘miracle’. I made this mistake and was disappointed when, having gone thru the course once, no flash in the sky or lotto winning miracle occurred. The truth came slowly the second time thru and was reinforced, and learned, the third time thru. The truth is that small ‘every day miracles’ promote a better Alchemical development because there is no flash in the sky. The sudden miraculous alterations tend to disrupt and disorient the mind, as opposed to a string of small successes that slowly builds ones confidence and allows a natural awakening to take place. The acceptance of this fact finally allowed me to appreciate the Carl Jung undercurrent (knowledge of God’s Way), use of Now (as described in The Power of NOW ), and references consistent with Quantum Physics , in this awakening.

Chapter one, while rather simplified, does give some instructional separation points between “conscious” mind and Spirit. The Ego, equalized in chapter 2 and villainized throughout the remainder of the course, may (or may not) be the proper title for it; however, it became clear as I progressed thru the course that there is a counter –development essence working against spiritual development. During years of Rosicrucian studies, a ‘dark night’ syndrome used to follow each initiation with an impact equal (though opposite) to the positive benefit of the initiation. These were assumed to be a phenomena (i.e., action-reaction). The course has allowed me to see these ‘dark nights’ as part of an essence that (I won’t call malevolent because I do not believe in evil) is counter to spiritual advancement. Each of the “cures” of ego effect mentioned in the course had some positive impact, but only thru constant attention and use of varied “cures” has there been peace and progress.

Chapter 3, on Nature and Creation, did not ring true for me and I apologize to the author for not being able to reach her understanding of ‘Guilt’ as an underlying cause.

Chapter 4, on Projection, was excellent and very consistent with Quantum Physics and the famous “two slit experiment”2. In truth “Projection makes Perception”, the trick is to consciously control the projector.

Chapter 5, Meditation, was good (especially with the audio tape provided) if somewhat limited. Many disciplines (i.e., Hindu , Buddhist , Tao , Bon , Sufi , Sikh , etc.) consider meditation the only tool. Catholism, usually considered a non-meditative religion also has its’ meditation adherents (St. Ignatius of Loyola ).

Chapters 6-9 (Desire, Purpose, Intention, and Attention) are for me, four arrows shot from the same bow. Four different tools used to create chapter 10, the Visualization. It is Visualization, properly created and empowered, that is the miracle.

Chapters 11-15 (releasing the past, releasing illusion, asking for help, and surrendering attachments) are good instructions on the use of powerful tools. These tools, for me, are most effective in the preparation and practice of Meditation (see chapter 5 above); therefore, I use them more to set the ‘atmosphere’ of my essence before using the focusing tools of chapters 6-9.

Chapters 16-20 (Health, Money, Work, Addictions) are very insightful examples of uses, or purposes, for this program. My work with this program is ongoing with three of these purposes, so any report on specific results will have to await a future date.

The only “error” (if it can be called that) is the reference to the past as unalterable in the future. This is an ‘apparent’ physical limitation (I use ‘apparent’ because certain blind studies have demonstrated the physical possibility), certainly not a Spiritual limitation. It could lead to unexpected results, if you assume a limitation that does not exist.

The last line (by St. Augustine) “Love, and do what you will”, is a recurring truth (see Wiccan Law, also A. Crowleys’ Book of the Law, etc.) that holds special meaning for me. It sums up the course at the same time, though lightly veiled, offers a most powerful warning. Real Love, is for me pure Spirit, is God’s Love, is Tao, is Nirvana, is Rapture (Sufi), etc. Therefore, if you create with Real Love as your motivation, then “GOOD” will be your results. Otherwise creates otherwise!

Overall, I am pleased and feel ‘bettered’ for having practiced this course. I certainly would consider another course by the same author.

Rev. William Fowler

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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

Dr. of Metaphysics, Course of Miracles

Student: Rev. Linda Francis

Final Essay: When the Student is Ready¦

I am not sure if I went in search of the Course of Miracles or it came in search of me. I attended several lectures and noted each speaker quoted from a book that I was not failure with. Each speaker called it a "life changing book'. Neither our local book store nor the library had it, so I moved on to read other recommended books.

However, quotes from the book continued to show up in magazines and other books I read and then one day just after my husband's death I pulled out his suitcase from under the bed and there was the book, Course of Miracles, along with notes that he had used to teach the class in Philadelphia before his marriage to me.

Why had he never mentioned this book to me during our 12 years of marriage? I was teaching a class in forgiveness and he had mentioned he once taught a class about it as well but gave it up when he could not forgive the professor who abused him in college. He told me I would find a success and joy he was never able to find for I truly had the ability to forgive others.

When I started reading The Course of Miracles I realized this must have been the book he was talking about. I began to read it but realized it was deep and I needed to find someone who understood it better than I could alone. I asked many in my little fundamental community and each had never head of the book nor wanted to study it with me. I begin to pray to find a person with an interest in the book, also.

Finally, I went on line and found your course and another one and enrolled in both. A few weeks ago I noted in the newspaper a speaker was discussing the book and so I attended the lecture only to run into an old friend I knew 25 years ago and she was studying this book as well, with a small group that met about 30 minutes from where I lived each Tuesday morning.

The book truly has changed my life, and this class has helped me greatly in understanding the book much more than I could have on my own. The book is much about forgiveness which I had taught in workshops and lectures for a long time, and I had worked my own personal path through this process long ago. However, it still gave me a deeper look into forgiveness as well, in seeing forgiveness must not be about pity, or judging.

However, what the class truly added to my life came in the one line, "Every act is love or a call for love." Now, as the person is acting in a hurtful matter to me I am saying to myself, "this is not love so thus it is his or her call for love," and even as he is talking I am sending him a mental energy of love.

Often that along is enough to cool his actions off and even when it is not I walk away without feeling like a victim or having a need to judge. There was a time I use to need to go into solitude and reason my way through forgiveness but now by seeing even as the person sticks out at others that he is calling for love I am not even hurt to the point I even have a need for forgiveness.

Lately, giving a lecture at a church, I was verbally attacked publicly by a lawyer known for doing this to many speakers. Suddenly, I remembered the line, "every act is love or a call for love." To this day I do not know how I pulled it off, nor does the group I was speaking to for many came up to tell me they did not understand what happened at that moment for almost like magic for the first time ever this man backed off and said he was sorry. (Perhaps soon I can teach another class from what I have learned in this class and explain how others can do just what I did.)

Not only did he calm down, he has never attacked another speaker when I have been in his presence. To this day each time I see him, I put a bright circle of light around him and I still send him an energy of love. He even came up months later to tell me what a great lecture I made that night on the topic of fear and the thinks about it often.

However, the biggest help that came from this class was the lesson I needed to learn to get past the grief for my late husband. We had a nearly perfect marriage and after his death I found myself wondering if I could go own living without him. He came to me in a dream telling me it was not my time to go that I needed to teach others the things we learned and shared together. (Note: It was just after this dream that I went to look for my show that the dog had taken under the bed and found this suitcase with the book in it.)

After his death, I had found myself in such poor health I had to give up my job, my spiritual retreat in the mountains which I no longer could afford and it felt as if there was nothing to live for at this point, for all I loved was now missing from my life. AND THEN I read: healing comes in the present not the past or the future. And I knew I had been living since his death in the past and dreading the future without him. I was missing the moment of now all together. So since I began this class my spiritual journey has taken a new path: living in the moment and finding simple joy in simple things.

Daily, I focus on my breath deep and slow and feel the moment and then send healing energy to my body. I melt into my surroundings, the birds, trees, stranger's smiles, etc., and I am one with awesome beauty and joy for that moment. While I still miss my husband my happiness scale has returned to a 8 and often a 10 plus at moments.

Dozens of books and lectures have jumped into my path since I started taking this class and guess what … all on the same subject, and so I return to the question and I ask. Did I chose Course of Miracles or did it choose me? There is an old saying that when the students is ready the teacher will come. I was in need and ready and the teacher came.

This class has been the most useful of all the ones I am taking. I would love to see others classes offered from Course of Miracles in the future.

Rev. Francis

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

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

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

A Course In Miracles

Course: EVERY DAY MIRACLES

I gained much important knowledge through this course. And for that I am truly grateful, as it assisted me along my path and miracle-ready consciousness, as well as greatly assisting me in being of service to others. I am honored and express my gratitude. Thank You.

I must add that I found all the lessons to be informative, well written and thought provoking. Living in the Now, with more awareness of my thoughts, has truly resulted in every day miracles in my life. It's great!

The only response as to what caused me to question is as follows:

In several areas of this course there seemed to be a position that the ego is "separate" and able to think and act on its own accord.

I understand that we are really spiritual beings having a human experience. Therefore, didn't God allow this existence in physicality to manifest so that we, "Son's of God" could evolve and be one of the many forms of God's expression?

In the belief that literally everything is a part of God instead of apart from God, then that would include the ego as well as duality. To me, we are the thought of God; resulting in the powerful manifestation of God; we are here on earth in human form so that God can experience itself through us. I believe humans are here to evolve through experiences and life lessons.

I am not stating that I believe that God is a judging God, in fact that is contrary to what I am saying. Although how can God be whole without realizing duality? God had to understand duality in order to create it. Light and dark, good and bad, sickness and health, love and hate, without these perceptual states, there is no growth and evolution.

If we treat the ego as if it is something separate from us, yet living inside, and we resist acknowledging, embracing and learning from our darkness, it will back door us. Only when we understand our ego and our own darkness, and the dualities that exist, can we look at things realistically and choose differently.

Therefore all things that we acknowledge as likes and dislikes in this life are ego driven, yes even the 'likes'. Only when we can practice non-attachment to what we like as well as dislike can we ever see the truth, because then we are not placing any judgment.

Another thing that caused me to pause was in lesson three where it is written: "The world you see is an illusion of a world, God did not create it, for what He creates must be eternal"....

So, if everything is made of energy and energy can never be created or destroyed, then isn't this world of God's perfection and eternal as well? I understand the cycle of life and death, but that isn't what is happening on the energetic level. As we die, as planets and stars die, the energy still exists in another form. Shifting to a different perspective and possibly manifesting in a different dimension.

Overall, this course taught me much about the ego and the different levels of consciousness and how to work with them for the most positive outcome and manifesting Every Day Miracles in my life. I look forward to taking more courses with ULC.

Rev. Cynthia Lee Harris

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

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

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

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

WHO'S WHO AT THE UNIVERSAL LIFE CHURCH

'The ULC Experience'

ULC - Universal Life Church and Online Seminary

The Goal:

At the ULC Seminary, we seek to always be growing, with a focus on educating ULC ministers and giving them a greater sense of validation and legitimacy. This new project may go a long way towards accomplishing that.

The Particulars:

What I'm going to do is to create a 'Who's Who' type of book for the ULC. I'm open to suggestions for a snazzy name, but we're going with 'The ULC Experience' right now. It will be a beautiful (possibly) hardbound book of ULC Ministers. Each minister will get a full page to talk about their personal spiritual journey, why they became ULC ministers, what they are doing with their ministry and what they are all about.

The cost for participation is $50. For that, you will get your full page of information and two copies of the finished book. Be aware that this is an introductory price for the first book. Also, if you refer 5 people who participate, your listing will be free.

This book will be a real published book, with an ISBN number as well as a Library of Congress number. I think this can be an amazing way to validate ourselves as a church as well as each individual minister who participates.

You can talk about your own church, your healing practice, your love of performing weddings, your outreach, your personal revelations, etc. It's entirely up to you. We will likely give each person space for one picture and the book will likely be 8.5 x 11, giving each minister plenty of room.

If you are using your ministry as a business, imagine the credibility you will gain by showing your clients this book. If you are interested and think this is something you'd like to participate in, please fill out the form below so I can get an idea of how many people are going to want to be a part of this great book.

Thanks for your attention and consideration.

Rev. Amy Long -- ULC Seminary Director

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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

First of all I would like to start off by saying this is only my second course I have taken with ULC but by all means this course was most powerful, as I started reading each lesson I found myself more and more intrigued on their way of life and the beliefs which are so similar to my own.

I feel that too many people conform to other peoples religions or their way of life because it is expected of them and people have a tendency to think within the box to which they where raised, instead of taking that much needed step outside the box and look around, no reason to give up your own beliefs on the other hand there's no reason not to expand your mind keep an open view, instead of shutting the door. I think this course really emphasizes and promotes on being able to "think out side the box" which is what I like and fully appreciate. No offense by any means to people who have Christian faiths, but I feel they are very closed-minded people, although I believe in many things they believe in, I feel that there is a larger world out there much has yet to be discovered and a lot has been forgotten about that we need to remember.

One thing (and there where several things) that I am such a strong believer in that Druids promote is "Honor Life"

Meaning our life, our gods life, natures life and family life, to treat everyone as equal. I love how Druids love nature and respect it for what it is, what it has and what it has done for man kind, and it saddens me to know how man kind has damaged and is destroying Earth, Druids have a place in my heart that keeps me knowing that there are still a few people out there that do respect and honor the lands and the animals, knowing if we destroy the lands and what they offer us we are simply destroying ourselves.

The Celtic Tree Calendar was very fascinating, I think its wonderful how each month is associated with a tree, although still being a bit confusing too me, I do understand that the tree calendar and the moons and their tree alphabet would assist them in celebrations and harvesting periods and certain rituals, it was a very efficient and unique tool for them.

Which brings me to the Ogham (Tree) Alphabet, I liked this lesson so much I took it upon myself to learn the alphabet, I understand that each letter represents a sacred tree with a meaning to the Druids and that each letter has branches or lines similar to a tree. Trees where and still are very respected by Druids; to harm a tree would have meant death.

What I understand is this alphabet was not only used for communication purposes but for divination as well.

Druids believed that certain trees had healing abilities that where inhabited by spirits, what I didn't know is the expression "knock on wood" actually came from this.

I honestly could write a lot more about the Druids there was so much covered but my space is limited.

Before taking this course I was always fascinated with Druids, and study a bit on my own, this course has open my eyes and has made me thirst for more info, if you ever offer another course on Druids or Druidism I would definitely take it.

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Christine M. Lahnala-Brandau

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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

Defining Spiritualism

Defining Spiritualism Final Essay

Rev Sharon J. Mayer

This is an extraordinary course in ministry. It has laid the groundwork for assisting others in the understanding of the complexities of belief. I enjoyed the whole course and the way it was relate to the ministry of the Universal Life Church. The author kept simple many ideas and teachings while not being overwhelming in fact or intellect. I am sorry the course has come to an end I did look forward to each lesson to gain either a way to move forward or an understanding of where I was and what needed to be learned or changed to move forward. This has been one of the more insightful classes I have taken from the seminary.

This will be a course that I will be able to use as a background to assist those I minister. Many of the people I come in contact with have a background in extreme religious Christian churches and have left this and grown away from any form of religion or spirituality. They are tired of being told they are not good enough to have love in their lives and to live life to the fullest. Because of this they are lonely and feel unworthy. This was a point brought out in Lesson 8 of the course. Unfortunately the younger people of today seem to be those that are the most affected by the thought they are not good enough. My little group has people in menial jobs, overcoming addiction, bad relationships, and despair. None of us have much formal education but we all have a desire for a better existence for ourselves and the world.

I believe one of the most destructive concepts of church writing was the concept of predestination. This is the major thought I have to overcome with my group. Many seem to feel this is Truth so why care? I was once asked to leave a church because I taught that God loves us all just as we are. I was using the church learning tools but when someone overheard me saying “No matter what you do you can overcome it because God still loves you.” They spoke to the church council who before speaking to me asked me to leave. Some did apologize when the realized it was from the church curriculum but I never when back to the church. If they could not understand of all groups why should I want to be with them?

In view of the events at VT I am again drawn to Lesson 10 and the paragraph that reads “So try to remember and be understanding of the fact that someone completely contained in his or her conscious mind is suffering greatly. These people believe themselves to have an absolute understanding of that which cannot be absolutely understood. When life acts in ways other than their absolute understanding, it affects them greatly. They suffer depression, anger, hostility, all host of negative energy emotions because they think they know absolutely and they are proven wrong every day.” I have compassion for the families of those who lost their lives but I also have compassion for the young man who felt he had The Answer. He never saw the beauty in life.

As to what I received from the lessons I can only repeat what the instructor stated. The more I study the more I realize I know nothing. I will take the ideas and suggestions given in the closing of the course to heart and realize that I can not change what I do not own and I own nothing. Each person in the world sees with only their eyes and each life is that persons alone.

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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

Essay for the Dr. of Christian Studies – The Four Gospels Course.

Sharon J. Mayer

This is a wonderful course that has taken me on an exploration of early Christian writings, practices, and thought.

Over my sixty nine years of life I have had the gospels read to me or read them myself numerous times and each time something new has come from the reading as I have grown in understanding. This course was the best of all I have taken on the subject. I was not told this is the Truth and you must believe it. I was allowed, during the course, to explore on my own the writings and teachings that would enhance the subject and my understanding. .

We were asked to write on one point of the books, which either stumped or moved the reader, to pick a section and write an opinion. That is extremely difficult because all the books as presented sent me looking for more information, another interpretation, history of the times and place the book was written, the thoughts and powers of the day. I was so interested in continuing my studies that I did not eve realize the course had come to an end – but my studies have not ended as yet.

The parts that interested me the most were those that mentioned the Gospel of Q as a starting point of the narrative of some of the books. The ideas that the oral tradition that was passed from regional areas and understandings of what had been said and done by Jesus was well brought out during the discourse. I was familiar with Q and Thomas, as well as other books that were not included in the New Testament by formal religion. I am also familiar with other texts of some religions that are added to the Bible for use by their church members.

I have often been confused by the fact that not all books were available to read by the common person and that since the Bible was hand-copied there was no way to be sure that the text was kept complete and accurate. This is a main point that has perplexed me most of my years. I understand there are those who believe and base their faith on the fact that God gave all the words in the books to the person writing and they are absolute truth and are to be followed.

But if the Bibles were commissioned by humans and humans have free will how were the books of the bible to be kept pure as complied and handed down for centuries? If a ruler wanted to add something to enhance his kingdom and he needed to have “history” rewritten that could be done. We all know that local practices were incorporated into the church to draw more members. So what was to stop the things the ruler did not like from being excluded and things he wanted to be part of religion from being added? If a church body felt that a book for other form of writing was detrimental to their ways they would just not add that thought or practice to the Formal Church. People have died for what was written and believed from the early church on. These are the things about the Gospels that really push me to continue my learning of early Christian writing and keep me studying more about the subject.

The Gospel according to Like is an example of the history of Jesus’ birth and family.

This is brought out in the course to be written to appease the Romans that this was a spiritual person and no threat to the political situation of Rome. It also made a strong tie of Christianity being part of the Jewish religion that would be tolerated by Rome. This to me is a case in point where the writing was honed to appeal to the powers that be.

Later the books were arranged by what was to be taught because of highly placed church leaders and the thought they had about what was to be given to the common folk to continue their religious training. There seems to have been much control of what was added to the books, wheat was written, how it was presented and what text was left out. As brought out in the lesson on “The Word According to Luke, Pt 2 “There are no secrets. When you open yourself up to the light, everything is seen.”

That is what this class has done for me and I hope for others. Look into the light of knowledge and travel to wherever it takes you to find the truth.

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