Chaplaincy Studies

 

ULC Seminary

Master of Chaplaincy Studies

Rev. Nick Federspiel

You Have Only Just Begun… from lesson 20.  No truer words; no matter when and where one is in a project, as the old saying goes this is the first day of the rest of your life,  This day a new chapter in the project has just begun.  Except that with Chaplaincy it is not just your life but others as well and “us” chaplain’s, ministers, pastors, reverends and evangelists have volunteered for this responsibility and duty.   In my opinion this course was full of simple practical information. Did it take?

{About Lesson 5 – The Chapel – Where One Ministers: Hospitals, Hospice, Nursing Homes – Part II;  I decided to call the local hospital and inquire about volunteering as a chaplain. The door was slammed shut, not interest, barriers, rules, etc. “They” said that ministers were only allowed in the hospital by INVITATION  of the PATIENT – IF - the patient specifically requested of the staff to see their minister AND the patient was a REGISTERED member of the ESTABLISHED church’s congregation!  I kid you not. WOW!   Was I deflated! I felt like I had just read a lesson and took a step towards becoming a public enemy. “They” said the rules were made by the legal department. The hospital’s lawyers are now their patients’ spiritual gate keepers and the patients and doctors answer to them.  Generally speaking, it has been my observation that few professions are as void of training in spiritual inspiration and moral discipline as are lawyers and law schools. The local hospital is a tangible case in point.

Later, on Christmas Eve, I attended a special holiday Anglican service held at the college chapel that I pastor services at on Sunday Mornings. The priest has a very active and long standing mission chaplaincy program at “correctional institutions.”  His staff were all “corrected and enlightened.”   A Long story short; he invited me to accompany him on his mission to observe and become aware of the how his program operates. He felt that in the correctional facility one meets many types of personalities, some salvageable and some not, but all were once NOT YET incarcerated and some will be repatriated and those are certainly people any chaplain or minster might meet along the path of life and mission service any time any place. There it was; the chaplaincy door slammed shut and locked tight earlier was suddenly wide open. You Have Only Just Begun.|

Chapter 9 – The Listener -  My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak… (James 1:19, NIV).  This is the hard one for me. I want to jump right in and help right now, impatient am I, and I have to restrain my offer until I fully understand the issue.  THINKING one understands the issue is simply unprofessional and inadequate. One has to be very certain one understands the issue or the person being administered to might feel even more left out and not accept any offer of assistance from the chaplain, lord, or anyone else.}

{Lesson 13 – Traps to Avoid -    When I am asked about an area that I have no training or experience in, I will be honest and say, “I’m sorry, I have no experience there. I can give you some ideas or tips from scripture that you can study but if your problem is serious like you say it is, I can refer you to a professional better equipped to…

I could not help but think of our local lawyer run hospital making care decisions by rule for the patients in an area in which they have no training or experience and worse yet appreciation for another’s profession.  Worse yet, spiritual assistance and the Holy Grace have produced spiritual medical miracles time and time again – look what they are denying their patients!  It is tantamount to torture. In our small chapel I minister prayer requests between the reverent prayer and worship service and the sermon. No private prayer requests is my policy as the power of the congregation in prayer exceeds that of only me.  Last November a new attendee with a long standing and diagnosed inoperable thus lethal brain tumor submitted to God and prayer.  Today he is up and around and feeling fine and the doctors call it a miracle.  Is that chaplaincy or ministry?  I am not sure if there is a difference really, but it shows how the Lord listens and he provides “professional” Godly services to the worthy and open minded.

Appreciating the gifts other devoted and competent people can deliver to help one’s spiritual patient is part of our duty as is bringing God closer to the bedside by bringing the patient closer to God. |

Lesson 14 – Ceremonies -   An application meeting: This is where you meet with both persons. Ask them why they want a “religious” wedding ceremony. I find this to be a wonderful time to learn more about what the couple believes and why. Often this leads to friendships long after the wedding where I mentor them spiritually. I explain my policies for weddings. If the institution has any policies (use of chapel and grounds) also provide them as well. I would also give the couple a “data collection” form that I use to review in preparation for pre-marital counseling.  …

I performed my first wedding of mixed faith partners in December.  Neither was really committed to ‘their religion’ but the parents demanded a “church wedding.”  So the question was to decline a church wedding or make it into an opportunity? Opportunity knocks is my business.  When the lesson 14 like process above was undertaken, and the congregation chipped in to make it a better wedding than the budget allowed for, and the wedding completed – AFTERWARDS – in a chance encounter the couple was exuberant in praise and gracious and generous with appreciation.  A light had been lit - I pray it stays so.}

From lesson 1: The Need is Great - There are hurting people everywhere.  …  A chaplain can help come along side those who are hurting. This unique minister is still viewed as the “keeper of the sacred” by those who are unattached to a religious congregation. A prayer, a word of advice, a simple ritual, and a touch of a caring hand does much for people who seem alone, detached, or afraid. I am reminded of the teaching of Jesus Christ who taught the parable of the sheep and goats: (Matthew 25:34-40, New King James Version).

Matthew 10:1-18 NKJV  “Jesus the Good Shepherd”  Chaplains and ministers many times stand at the gate with the responsibility of inviting many in need IN and explaining to them, ministering to them, as to why IN is better and for them.  The Mansions of God per John 14:1-5  ( …  many mansions … and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.)   The mansions have some fine doors (gates) and it is “our” duty to help as many as we can to have a place PREPARED ready and waiting and an Inviting  Light On in the window for when that time comes. 

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Many people get ordained through the Universal Life Church as a means to become wedding officiants, but also to study through our online seminary.  If you need minister supplies or online ceremonies, we have a wide selection to choose from, as well as a place for spiritual articles and spiritual bookmarks. If you need any assistance in any area of your ministry, please feel free to contact amy@ulcseminary.org and we'll give you all the help we can.

Druidism Course through the Universal Life Church

Final Essay – Druidism
Universal Life Church

I came to Druidism for the reasons of exploring my Celtic past and finding a spirituality that truly speaks to me.  I am new to Paganism and was not sure what I would find. I am thankful for the opportunity to expand my spiritual horizons and share them with others.

The course begins with an historical overview of ancient Druidism and its social context. Druidism was a Celtic religion and interpreted the cosmos in ways that Celtic peoples could understand. The myths interpreted the cosmos and the sacred rights influenced the cosmos. We may find some of the rites, such as human sacrifice, to be repulsive, but the Celts believed that they were necessary. The course gives a balanced account of the ancient druids without modern judgment.

Included in the explanation of ancient Druidism is an exhaustive list of the Celtic deities with explanations. The list includes Irish, Welsh, Scottish and Gallic deities with cross-references and comparisons to the other deities. This was the most intriguing part of the course, because it gave real insight into the culture of the ancient Celts.

The meat of the course is the lessons on the calendar, sabbats and the Ogham alphabet. Druidism is a heart a nature religion. As such, Druidism seeks balance and harmony with nature. The identifying thread of Druidism is that nature is particularly identified with trees. The Druids named both the calendar months and the alphabet after the same set of trees. Furthermore, the sabbats, or festivals, celebrate the yearly cycle of plant growth and death, which was connected by the druids to the larger cosmological cycle of life, death and rebirth. The key to understanding Druidism both ancient and modern is in understanding the wealth of relationships that each tree represents. As a modern druid, I put most of my effort into learning this part of the course.

The remaining portions of the Druidism course are concerned with the practices of modern druids. These practices include liturgies, druid magic and geomancy. The liturgy lesson provides the basic rites of a druid. The more interesting druid magic lesson contains some very helpful links to other sources of information on druid magic. The geomancy lesson requires hands-on practice to fully understand, and I still find it a little confusing. (I suspect that divination is not my best subject.) Thus, the beginning druid has the tools needed to begin a druidic ministry and links to continue the study of druidism.

My Celtic ancestors and love of nature drew me to the path of druidism. The Masters of Druidism course has given me the foundation to be a druid minister.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years as well as starting the Seminary.

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

Comparative Religion

COMPARATIVE RELIGION ESSAY

By
John Ozanich

    The ULC Comparative Religion course is unbelievably jam packed with a huge range of critical information necessary for any religionist.  The course throughout define fundamental definition necessary in understand religious and philosophical concepts, appropriately beginning with an extensive definition of “God” to a wide range of religious faiths.

    The course compares the relative similarities common among many faiths in their theology, concepts and practices.  Various theologically significant storied foundational to disparate religions are presented and discussed.  Esotericism and exotericism are contrasted followed by an intriguing exploration of esoteric mysticism.  The esoteric beliefs of many faiths are explored including several of the well known esoteric organizations of the Christian religion.  The practices, philosophies and beliefs of the various groups are presented.

    The symbolism of a wide range of faiths is presented, including their meanings, influences and psychological significance.  The origin and multiple potential meanings of various symbols adopted over time are explored.  Symbolism is a powerful influence in the lives of a great many followers of all faiths and speaks of the human condition.

    The various methods of man’s attempt to communicate with the divine are presented.  A desire to communicate with the divine exists in all cultures and faiths.  These attempts materialize in different techniques ranging from song and prayer to meditation and contemplation.  The differences of these methods and their various permutations are covered as are the variances among the differing faiths.

    Perceptions and theories regarding suffering and death from the various major religions throughout the world beginning with ancient Egypt and including Mesopotamia, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam are explored.  Questions regarding suffering and death have been central to humanity and faith since the beginning of time.  Each faith has attempted to address the moral, spiritual and mechanical matters of suffering and death in their own way.  This included a notion of atonement before death due to the common belief of judgment at the time of death prevalent in most religions.

    An exploration of religious ceremony is made.  The various differing types of ceremonies are explained.  Sacraments are explained in the various religions going as far back as known history.  Sacraments involve the taking into the body of something divinely charged which unifies the individual with the divine.  Ritual is a formalized, predetermined set of symbolic actions performed at recurring interval.  They express a part of the religious or social doctrine of the individuals involved.  Rituals of various faiths from Egypt and Greece to Buddhism and Christianity are presented.  An interesting discussion of religious objects is presented with their often common meaning across various religious faiths such as bells, relics and candles plus the notion of the consecration and liturgical use of these.

    A surprisingly exhaustive presentation of sacred architecture and spaces is presented discussing everything from the significance of various physical structures to the spiritual meaning inherent in how the structures are constructed and their typical meanings.  Various architectural styles, methods and meanings are explained including common objects and structural techniques used.  Mandala, pillars, pagodas, catacombs, spires, natural formations and many others are discussed.

    An extremely important and fascinating exploration of sacred documents from various religions is presented along with oral teachings discussing dogma and doctrine.  The various forms of scriptural writing and common themes are covered.

    The total amount of information imparted by the Comparative Religion course is incredible and every bit of it intriguing and highly useful in any study of religion.

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Comparative Religion

COMPARATIVE RELIGION

The Comparative Religion Course gave me a better understanding of the various religions and beliefs practiced by many of diverse cultures in the world and now being practiced here at home In the United States.  Coming myself from a family of mixed religious backgrounds, beliefs and traditions; we lived in a kind of harmony because we each held in our hearts that there is a common thread that binds us as human beings and not just family. We respected each other's beliefs and faith never puffing one belief over the other. This course explained the commonalty that all religions and beliefs have in worship, prayer, how they view life and that all men are spiritual from ancient times to present. In addition, this course has shown that all religions of today have a common source that you will find when one looks far enough. And that each religion has borrowed from the other. I remember talking to my late cousin who was a practicing and ordained follower of Krishna. I remember saying to him “that there are many paths and each in the end leads to what all humans seek that is a union with God “he said “so true.” This course confirms this believe which I have held for long time. Now I feel that I have a working  knowledge base and the confidence that will enable me minister to those who are not of my faith when approached by them for help and through this knowledge base there will be no misunderstanding but understanding between us.

I liked the way the course was setup. Many years ago I took a course similar to this. But it was not the same. I was given a few books to read and told to write a paper and that was that. Here the instructor takes the student from what is known and then brings the student to what was not known. I liked how Rev. Kythera Ann explains the vocabulary that is part of the study of religion. The examples that she used in the discourses such as the flood showed a common thread among the religions used in one example names may have been different but the story was the same, and even the photographs and pictures helped enforce the topic at hand. I liked how each discourse built upon the other keeping with what I said before known to unknown.  The internet activities were great reinforcements to the end of each of the discourses.

There wasn’t anything about the course that I disliked except for the last discourse and then only one section of it. When it came to cults a lot of time was spent on the Baha’i Faith how Islam views it as cult and how Iran is persecuting it followers today. Then it goes to Mormonism with a small paragraph and one small sentence taken from Wikipedia about them, calling Mormonism a cult. The Mormons too were persecuted by main stream Christianity in its beginnings with their leader Joseph Smith being killed with many other of his followers. I am aware that she also said that it was a new religion but using Mormonism as a cult example did not follow the final statement that when the leader dies so does the cult which never happened to both the Baha’I and Mormon religion. However, I was expecting to see The Reunification Church a.k.a MOONIES, Scientology, Christian Science, and The Jehovah Witness mentioned as cults these too being out of the mainstream of recognized religion with Scientology being a newer religion of modern times. Instead The Branch Dravidians, Heaven’s Gate and Aum Shinri-kyo  were mentioned at the beginning  of section as new age cults that had made the news.

I think these discourses could be improved by using the PDF format. This may cut down on how many times a discourse been resent because of being received incomplete.  Also, it would allow for better printing of the discourses. I had one discourse which needed to be reformatted before reprinting because there were no margins in the discourse. 

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TheUniversal 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.

Spirit Quest Course

Hi Amy,

Working towards my Masters in Metaphysics has been a very rewarding journey. I have learned how something as simple as grounding can pull you through just about anything.

I lost my daughter to unexpected death a few months ago.  It has really been difficult to deal with many aspects of my life.  However this course has helped me be able to move through many of the pitfalls that come with grief and what if’s, fairly well.

Prior to this I was in a particularly stressful job, which did not bring out the best in me.  This course taught me how to ground myself, and use the roses to protect myself from and get rid of all the negative energy that was coming to me.  To let all the bad run right out of me.  It was amazing how it would instantly ease my burden and give me a new perspective.  This course also taught me how to create my own reality.  To forgive, and move on, to not let bad energy stay in my space.  

Even now, if a bad situation arises,  I catch myself coming out of my protection mode as I call it.  Others have noticed it too. And I am not angry.  I am better equipped to handle my life and all the aspects of it.  Now that I have grown spiritually, I realize that other people’s problems are not mine. Not saying that I don’t help others. I am huge in community service.  I am saying that their problems are not my cross to bear.  I cannot fix them. I am responsible for me.  If we each take care of ourselves, I feel that we will be better grounded to mother earth and able to help out in situations where people may really need a hand, ear or shoulder. 

Terrie Hawkins

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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

Spiritual Development

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I would not rate this course on the same level as some of the other courses I have or am currently taking. For example the idea of multiple universes where we exist in different worlds playing out different scenarios is good for science fiction but does not jibe with my Christian background or upbringing. How can one soul live out so many different destinies?? Basically in this scenario we are able to pick the best outcome and ignore the rest???  The other idea that we can "will" things to happen, if we think hard enough we can make things happen, picture it....and it becomes real. A lot of books have been written about this, but in my experience, life is not that easy. We are asked to pray for things and whatever is the highest good for one and all will happen. 

Sometimes what we think we want or need, is the worst thing that can happen to us, so willing it and producing it...may not be a good thing. "changing our mind...can change our reality.....I wish we had this much control of our lives.....changing our minds...can change our course in life...but my sense is..the reality stays the same.....our perception of things can change...but not the things themselves.........I try and be open to new ideas and concepts...but I find this course very simplistic and contrary to my christian beliefs and upbringing and actual experiences. The concept of "outcomes" to be is very controlling, like we have the power to change outcomes which means we can change our destiny??? If our destiny is for us to be at 'x', all the positive thinking in the world will not get us to 'y'. Yes we can influence our friends and family and coworkers with a positive attitude and mindset, but can we really change outcomes that have been set in motion?? by others....suppose we have a group of people all together, with different "outcomes" in mind for the group..which "outcome" will prevail???  the strongest desire?  the strongest will?? what happened to all the other "outcomes"? 

The author mentions "referencial" information we take in, influences our lives......that is true to a degree....but to the degree he seems to indicate.......if I inherited "high blood pressure" thru genetics...no matter what i think or do...i still have high blood pressure....if someone kills another human being in cold blood...the fact remains..they were killed....yes..it could be in self defense....protecting oneself and family members....but it is still murder...killing of someone...that is not going to change..how we deal with this situation as a society..is a different issue.....the reality remains the same...how we deal with the reality..is what changes............The concept of NLP and communicating with the unconscious is dealing with reality as if...Deity..God does not exist....if mankind was the only creation and we all were individual islands of our own...we were all individual "gods" that we could tap into our deepest most mind, unconscious mind...higher self..and change things.........again...this goes against everything the Bible has to say...we are to pray to God...for help...we are to reach out to Him...the power of prayer and Divine Guidance..the working of the Holy Spirit is more powerful than anything mankind can think of. 

Sorry to be so negative...I read all the lessons with an open mind....and I know this course is required reading for the Chaplain Program...and it did explain what the author was trying to get at....it just did not resonate with me and I basically disagree with the basic concept.

Rev. Andy

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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. 
 

Comparative Religion

Identity

In order to understand our present we must first understand our past. This is a saying that is particularly true in today's world; and more, particularly, in the world of the ancient Israelites. The ancient people's who became the Israelites were a people in search of an identity. They were disjointed groups of Semitics attempting to find their place in the world.

 

In Lesson Nine the topics of the Hyksos and Habiru were introduced . I was immediately intrigued with the etymology of the word Habiru in relation to the ancient term of Hebrew. Did the word Hebrew evolve from Habiru? Were the Habiru/Hebrews separate groups of people or one and the same? Did one of these groups evolve into the Israelites? This essay is a brief attempt to answer these questions and restore some of the Israelites history.

 

First, let us look at who the Hyksos people were (as they were also introduced in Lesson Nine). The Hyksos were Semitics who came out of Syria and Arabia in 1700b.c.e. They then proceeded to invade Egypt. Josephus, an early Jewish historian, quoting Manetho (an even earlier Egyptian historian/priest) noted that they were “cruel and destructive invaders”. (1) One important reason the Hyksos were so successful at this invasion was due to their use of horses. (2) The Egyptians began to use horses in warfare following the Hyksos invasion. The Hyksos were eventually expelled from Egypt; not just one time but twice! It has been theorized that one of these expulsions could have been the Biblical Exodus. However, that conclusion would rely upon an as yet to be proven fact; that the Hyksos were the ancient Israelites.

Another group who also meets the criteria for being the precursor to the Israelites were the people known as the Habiru's. The Habiru's were not a nation and could not describe themselves as a tribe unless necessity called for it. The Habiru's were people who lived outside of society for one reason or another (debt, escaping slavery, military deserter and so on). They would come together in loosely organized “tribes” to follow a leader as need demanded; conquest, famine, etc. They were known to sell their services in exchange for food. They entered Egypt at a time of famine and, as their custom was, sold themselves to the Egyptians as slaves in order to procure food. It's a possibility that their descendents were not able to break the cycle of poverty and thus remained as slaves in Egypt for generations. During a time of plagues and chaos they escaped.

The earliest known reference to the Habiru are from Sumer and date from the Third Dynasty of Ur; about 2000b.c.e.. The Semitic people's were expanding at that time and, in this reference written in cuneiform, the Sumerian's judicial system was having difficulty defining their legal status. Other written documents, from the 20^th through the 11^th centuries, note that the Habiru were scattered throughout the Near East in every level of society. It should be noted that the name Habiru means “wanderer.” The name Hebrew, in its root meaning, means “to go across.” A Hebrew is one who went from place to place.

 

The El Armana tablets (discovered by an Egyptian woman in 1877) refer to invaders of Palestine as 'Apiru. Lest the reader become confused, 'Apiru bears a close relationship to the terms Habiru and Hebrew. Extensive research has led many scholars to the conclusion that the term Habiru was first

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used to describe people who journey into settled areas and did not refer to a specific group but to a social caste. (3) A caste, it should be noted, that, at times, was viewed as low in worth. The term Habiru was often used as an insult. However, the word Habiru was a term that was transformed from a social designation into the ethnic word Hebrew. This would have occurred when the Habiru formed tribes and developed a unique identity. Hebrew eventually became a term used interchangeably with Israelite. Abraham is the first person in the Bible to be referred to as a Hebrew.

Evidence from archaeological discoveries (both cuneiform and heiroglyphic) seem to point to the conclusion that sociologically the Hebrews were the Habiru, although not all Habiru were Hebrews. (4) It could be postulated that those who became the groups called Hebrews may have shared a common heritage (Abraham) and followed a common leader (Moses).

There is much more information available concerning the Habirus, Hebrews and 'Apiru's if the reader should wish to further study this subject.

The finding of an ethnic identity and, eventually, a homeland was a central theme for the ancient Israelites; as it is for todays Israelites. To understand one's past in order to understand one's present is a continuing quest for modern day Hebrews. How this quest is interpreted can influence many the world over.

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Footnotes

1. Josephus, “Against Apion,” I, Sec. 14, p. 611.
2. Nabaataea.net: “Hyksos and Edom”, Chap. Six,”The Hyksos Horses”.
3. www.infidels.org.: “Old Testament Life and Literature (1968), Gerald A. Larue”.
4. www.ericlevy.com: “The Habiru And The Hebrews: From A Social Class To An Ethnic Group,
   by Stuart A. West”.

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Bibliography

1. Josephus, “Against Apion”, I, Sec. 14, p. 611.
2. Nabataia.net: “Hyksos and Edom, Chap. Six, The Hyksos Horses”.
3. www.infidels.org: “Old Testament Life and Literature (1968), Gerald A. Larue”.
4. www.ericlevy.com: “The Habiru And The Hebrews: From A Social Class To An Ethnic Group, by Stuart A. West”.
5. www.W.G.Waddell.mht: Manetho: “The Aegyptiaca of Manetho: Manetho's History of Egypt,” translated by W.G. Waddell.
6. www.translation.mht: Eusebius Chronicle (5).
7. www.ancienthebrew.org
8. www.unexplained-mysteries.com
9. www.imninalu.net/Habiru.htm
10. www.bibleorigins.net/Hebrewhabiruslaves.html
11. www.oldtestamentstudies.net
12. www.israel-a-history-of.com/habiru,html
13. www.mailstar.net/four-room-house-html
14. www.jewishhistory.org/hyksos-or-hebrews
15. www.orvillejenkins.com/peoples/hyksosandhebrews.html
16. www.wikipedia.org
17. www.newenglishreview.org/RobertWolfe

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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.

Religious Philosophy

Religious Philosophy – Final Essay

By Robert Nelson

               This course is a rigorous introduction to the field of Religious Philosophy.  It introduces the student to the major thinkers in the field along with the major concepts.  It begins with an overview of the great thinkers ranging from Marx and Freud to Emile Durkheim and William James.  In considers in detail such concepts as religious forms and religious classifications.  There is an important lesson on religious tolerance including the five As of awareness, acknowledgment, acceptance, appreciation, and amalgamation.  Another great lesson is the one which explores myth as a matter of religious expression.  Then there are such concepts as ecclesiasticism, eschatolgy, globalization, and the role of prosylytizing, religious functionality and social function.  The lesson which explores the relationship of religions with other religions and the various approaches to that relationships was another great lesson, as was the lesson on the relationship between the human and the divine which explores among other issues the effect of belief on the lives of religious adherents.  

               As the best teachers, classes, and books always do this course provokes more questions than it provides answers.  I am left with a curiosity – a thirst – about the origin of religion in human evolution and an interest in exploring in greater depth many of the authors mentioned in the course.  Another area which I intend to explore in greater depth is that of the relationship between science and religion – not in the old tired cliché way we have heard so often but in greater depth around such issues as what light each sheds on such things as ontology, epistemology, and the nature of consciousness.

               But for me the very best lesson (and one which raised many of the most important questions) was the one dealing with the future of religion.  We discovered in the course how even the active repression of religion has failed to destroy religion in such countries as Russia (the former Society Union), Cuba, and China.  But we are left with questions about the future role of religion in societies which are mostly secular as well as to the forms which religions may take in the future.

               Over all I found this course enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in exploring the nature and functions of religion.  It goes far beyond the simple comparisons of various religions to explore the underlying principles which underlie the form and function of religion in human culture and psychology.  It lives up to the expectations one has of a graduate level course.

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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