Comparative Religion

The main reason I took this Comparative Religion course was due to the description found at the ULC web site: "This is one of the most informative courses we offer. It is packed full of information about different religions with an emphasis on interfaith studies." This is very true. This course is loaded with information. Not only does it provide the history and background information on all of the worlds big religions, it also includes information on some of the more obscure belief systems. The presentation format makes it easy to compare the similarities of the worlds religions. This is exactly what I wanted and this course delivered.

Since North America is predominantly Christian, it is understandable that a course of this nature would include a lot of Christian information and comparisons. Personally, I would prefer more information on the North American Indian's belief systems and a little less emphasis on Christianity. This being said, it's only my preference and I'm sure most students prefer the Christian comparisons as it makes it easier for them to relate to the information as presented.

At the end of the course, Rev. Kythera Ann indicates that future parts of this course will focus on individual religions, their unique beliefs and practices. This course does include quite a bit of detail already. I would recommend that you revise this course to include a little less detail and call it "Introduction to Comparative Religion." Then, future courses could have more descriptive names to reflect what they are to focus on rather than Part 1, Part 2, etc. Some names could be: "Religions of the world - A detailed Analysis" or "Comparative Religion - From a

Christian Perspective" and "Religions of the World - Their Unique Beliefs and Practices."

This course is presented in a much more academic format that other courses I have taken from the ULC. An "introduction" type of course can be presented in a more entertaining format that would keep the interest of those who prefer not to return to a formal study format after being away from it for several years. Those of us who are not academics require a more entertaining format to enable us to better retain the information. It should also be noted that not all students of the ULC Seminary intend on pursuing a career as a minister. Some of us are pusuing a path of personal enlightenment only.

The Rev. Kythera Ann is obviously well versed in the religions of the world. For those who were raised Christian and would like to have an in-depth study of religion and comparisons of the worlds religions from a Christian point of view, I would recommend this course and the Rev. Kythera Ann. Also, anyone who is or intends on pursuing a career as a minister whether it be full time or part time, must have this information with this kind of detail. It is your responsibility to possess all the knowledge available to enable you to do the best job you can when fulfilling your duties as a Minister. Do that which is right.

As always, the course was delivered to my e-mail address, on time and in a format that was easy to use. It remains a pleasure to interact with Rev. Amy Long and the ULC Seminary.

Best Regards

Robert Pelot

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

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

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

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Master of Metaphysics

Although my Reiki training gave me much insight to my inner self, I had many more questions. Your lessons have taken me further than I could have ever imagined.

Some of your lessons such as creating and destroying roses proved to be a lot of fun and got me thru some stressful situations, for this I will be eternally thankful.

One of my biggest problems was the loss of energy. Several of your lessons such as the protection rose, bringing in the golden sun, especially in returning my energies from all places I had been each day, the grounding cord, and of course amusement have proven to me to be in my best interest. I walk now and see so much more beauty in all things which give me energy and keeps a smile on my face and in my heart. The other evening I saw an owl dip down in my yard to investigate a meal.

What beauty I saw. Why did I see this? Because I am much more alert of my surroundings. I do have much work to do in speaking in the positive. Although I think I am and have many positive thoughts, Things just didn't come out in the positive. Your Discourse # 16 finally explained to me why. My belief system. My parents were always wanting me to fit in with the statement, "What will the neighbors think?" or " We are the parents, we know best." I have come a long ways but I am not there yet. I seem to be caught between a present and a future state so there is work to be done here.

I have always been quick to help others, which seemed to be what made me feel good, but then I felt very let down. I couldn't figure out why. I now know why. I forgot to do things for my self.

It really is simple, love yourself and then love others, Heal yourself and then heal others. And above all else, Be Yourself

Thank You Rev Amy.

Love and Light

Rev Diane L. Orr

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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 hand-fasting 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

Final Exam Essay

Comparative Religion

Rev. Elizabeth King

This has been a most interesting and informative course. I have learned a great deal about so many of the world's religions, their background, their leaders, and their tenets of beliefs. When I first began the course, since I have already taken a course in the World's Religions while attending college, I didn't think I would actually learn much more than what I already thought I knew. How delightful to find out I was wrong and that Kythera Ann is very knowledgeable about a subject that would be beneficial for all people to take at some time in their lives. Her presentation of the material has a spirit and a love that I found missing from the course that I took at CCSN so many years ago.

By helping us to understand the basics of these various religions, the one thing that stands out is how much more similarities than dissimilarities are to be found in the world's religions. True, they have different rituals, approaches, and cultural ideation than we in the west have, but in the areas that are most important, they basically are teaching the same things and love, acceptance, decency of behavior, and respect for the Gods and for all people as well as our home world, which shows that the Deity Creators, by whatever name we choose to call them, are of one mind, and the teachings are universal to all.

While there are some rituals that are perhaps very foreign to western minds and beliefs, such as Goddess worship or in gender related differences in religious dogma, yet we have to admit that there are certain elements that ring true for all of us. It is when man begins to exert his/her influence over the religious and spiritual tenets of the founders and the deities that inspire them that trouble rears its head in religious dogma, and this presents us with the lessons of what can happen when the beginning ideals are neglected or cast aside in favor of man-made rules and regulations.

I so enjoyed learning about all these different religious beliefs, and with that comes a new appreciation and understanding of the human species as we all strive to return to our Makers, by whatever name we call them, and to find spiritual dignity and beauty within ourselves and others. It also shows us the depths of the struggle that all people go through as they deal with figuring out their place in the scheme of the Universe and what their spiritual missions truly are. This kind of course can only help people to understand and thus to gain an appreciation and an open-mindedness to the beautiful diversity that is inherent in the human race.

I honestly cannot think how Kythera Ann could improve the course as it covers all the basics and then much more. She is thorough, and very knowledgeable of her subject. Her writing style is fascinating and contains an 'aliveness' that is very often missing from the majority of textbooks that deal with what should be a fascinating and enjoyable experience as it educates.

I would be interested in taking other courses in the future from Kythera, and I hope to see another course by her in the Seminary soon. Thanks to her, I've gained a deeper appreciation of the religious and spiritual searching that mankind has been engaged in from the very inception of the human race on this earth, and I will be able to take this information and use it to assist the many different religious beliefs I come into contact with through my own ministry, which is non-sectarian. The one area that she has helped me to gain the most compassion and sympathy with are the religions of the Near East, religious teachings that I have always had a difficult time even beginning to understand. I am thankful to her for expertise in explaining their teachings in such a easy to understand format.

I would recommend this course to all ULC ministers and ministerial students as an important part of our training as spiritual leaders, regardless of our religious preferences. It is in gaining understanding of all religious teachings that we become more compassionate and understanding of others, and thus more capable of functioning as a true embassador not so much of religious dogma, but of spiritual growth and development.

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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

My Name is Rev. Beverly F. H. Brown. I am a middle aged divorced woman with no children. Taking the Comparative Religion course was the stepping stone that helped me achieve the peace in my life I desperately needed!

I grew up in a very abusive family situation that left me confused about the rights and wrongs of life. In my dysfunctional family's view; right was wrong, and wrong was praised. This made me turn away from the church, but never, did I turn from God.

Still, I needed answers to why I was so angry all the time. I carried hatred, distrust, contempt and violent thoughts with me everywhere I went. At the same time, I was compelled to help people stuck in similar situations (abusive, hateful, ect). On top of the anger I felt from my childhood, I fought Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for 4 years. Going in and out of the hospital sometimes for months at a time.

Before I started this course, I had low self worth and battled constantly with my feelings of isolation (even in the middle of a crowd). To be openly honest, I was so angry, tired, hopeless, lost and in need of an outlet ... hurting someone else seemed like the right thing to do. Making others feel the pain that I myself was suffering from, seemed like fair play. This course showed me how wrong I was to feel that way. Rev. Kythera Ann's Comparative religion course taught me that I alone was responsible for my life. She showed me; that we are all on the same path even if we don't know it.

There is suffering and martyrdom everywhere on earth. It's what we do amidst that suffering that matters. If we reach out to help our brother in need, we too will be helped.

This course gave me the tools I needed to see clearly. I now understand that we are all "truly one." The way the course is broken-down allowed me to cross-reference several religions at once which made it easy to see the similarities. Once I saw the common goals and beliefs of so many religions from every part of the world, I knew what I had to do to find peace within myself.

I learned that most religions teach "Forgiveness" similar to the way Jesus taught it. If God forgives our sins, who are we not to forgive others? Next I learned about Karma in each religion and the similarity in religious stories, ceremonies, scriptures, and principles. Then at the end she ties it altogether with a Religion Family Tree! That was great! That topped it off with the reality that we are all truly one. Coming from one Mother (God) and branching off to have children of our own (sub-religions) yet the fruit never falls far from the tree (God).

Now I am living my life as a spiritual being instead of a physical being. Physical beings are subject to ego, greed, lust, deceit and selfishness. Buddha taught, that which we give to others is returned to us tenfold, so if I wanted positive things in my life I had to first, give that which I desired to others.

Thanks to Rev. Kythera Ann I have gained a new awareness of life on this planet as a whole. I now understand my purpose in this life is the same as every person of every religion...To do Gods work. To be his eyes and ears. To learn and to teach his principles. Then, little by little, one soul at a time, we become closer to Him/Her (God)by understanding his ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course! Especially the unbiased way in which it was presented. The recommended reading and additional links were a plethora of information. My mind is now open to endless possibilities.

I only wish it went deeper into each religion with more detail and information. I guess that's in part 2 of the Comparative Religion course :)

I think that more information should be added on primary cults of today. Cults like Scientology, Seven day Adventist, Satan Worshippers, and even more on Wicca. I would like to understand these religions too.

I thank you for your knowledge and unselfishness. My life is richer because of you!

Sincerely,

Rev. Beverly F. H. Brown

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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 hand-fasting 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

Spirit-Quest Course

This has been a fantastic course. Not only the material but the way it was put together. It’s as if this course was written to me instead of for me. I was very fortunate to have a mother and grandmother. That taught me love and respect. I had a father that taught me how to work. In his teachings he taught against negativity. The word “can’t” at least in construction meant you didn’t have the tools or the knowledge. Find out how to do the job and get the tools and you will succeed.

Strangely enough this course is designed the same way. To clear ourselves to gain full potential we must remove as much negativity as possible. All would be nice but not always possible. We are given the tools and the knowledge. The grounding cord and the various methods of using it. This is one of the most exciting things in the course. To actually feel it work and my body felt free. The golden suns collecting energy, sending messages or bringing thoughts. The protective rose grounded to the center of the planet. Creating and destroying roses to remove things from your space. These are tools. You can visualize a rose or a sun or a grounding cord. But you can’t visualize your subconscious. However if you visualize something like creating a rose a sun or a grounding cord. You create a link to you subconscious or spirit. This action causes the event to happen. When you concentrate on a grounding cord. You communicate to your spirit to release negative energy. With the power of the universe that is what it does.

These tools simplify the contact with your spirit. You create a rose. Okay you have a rose. Now you emphasize to bring something or destroy something (remove it from you) Your spirit responds. Your spirit really wants to do everything to please you. You think I can’t do that. Your spirit says okay and puts all the negative block in your way. See I told you I couldn’t do that. If you say with a positive attitude. I’m going to do this. I’m going to make it work. Your spirit gets in touch with other spirits and your golden sun brings you information. I knew that DNA was living chemistry. I never read it in a book and I have hundreds of science books. In meditation I thought how does life start? A fertile cell. Two half sets of chromosomes inner mingle to make a DNA strip. It builds a whole body from this. No brain, no heart. Just a strand of DNA chemistry. How does it work? They (Scientist) call it homeostatic feedback mechanism. We call it your spirit. It takes this zygote. Divides that first cell into 43 cells. These become layers that become the different parts of the body and produce that lovely child we love and care for. Of course the spirit stimulates genetic _expression and the genetic traits tell things where to go. As this child grows up it’s spirit talks with other spirits. We talk to our spirit but not very good. The tools in this course simplify our communication with our spirit and we have unlimited resources in anything we do. This course gives us these tools and this nice lady tells us how to use them.

Ronald M. Owens Sr.

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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 hand-fasting 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

The first four Books of the New Testament are like newspaper accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ from four men who loved Him and followed Him. The arrival of Jesus signaled the beginning of the New Testament. God entered history in a personal way. God makes it clear that He is on our side and is doing everything possible to save us. It was worked out in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Salvation is the main business of Jesus.

Matthew opens the New Testament by setting the local story of Jesus in a historical context. He makes sure that as we read his account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He is writing especially to Jewish readers. His main purpose is to convince them that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Savior. He does this by showing how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.

Mark wastes no time in getting down to business. An event has taken place that radically changes the way we look at and experience the world. And he can’t wait to tell us about it. The sooner we get the message, the better off we will be. The message is good. God is here and He’s on our side. Mark was not one of the twelve apostles and he presents the person and work of Jesus Christ to a primarily non-Jewish audience. His attitude may have been, just give us the facts.

Luke is the champion of the outsider. He is the only Gentile in an all Jewish cast of New Testament writers. He shows how Jesus includes those who typically were treated as outsiders by the religious establishment. As he tells the story, all of us who have found ourselves on the outside looking in on life with no hope find the doors wide open in Jesus.

John’s Gospel is different from the other Gospel’s about Jesus. John dwells upon the spiritual meaning of what Jesus said and did. John emphasizes the signs and miracles that prove Jesus is the Son of God. He presents God as speaking salvation into existence. This time God’s word takes on the human form as Jesus. Jesus speaks the word and it happens.

After reading all four Gospels I understand why there are four. Each Gospel is reaching out to different people. The story of Jesus is the same. The people that are hearing it are different. We are from all walks of life. God wants to reach all with His Good News.

One thing I question is the genealogies in both Matthew and Luke’s Gospels. They trace the descendant of Jesus not through Mary His mother but through Joseph, His stepfather. I was always taught that Jesus is the Son of God.

F. James Barker

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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 hand-fasting 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

Judas:  Sinner?  Or follower of God's will?

Having just recently completed the course portion of the "four gospels" course I took a few days to actually sit and ponder on what to write my essay or thesis on. After a few weeks of thought I decided rather then pontificate on my likes or dislikes of the text book, or trying to write something that would cover everything I would choose one area within the text and expound my thought on it.

Oddly, one might say my theory of Judas Iscariot was a good Christian is bogus but before judging it and my virtue of him, let us think things through. Did Judas betrayal his Master Jesus to the Pharisees? On the more obvious surface layer, yes of course he did. Yet that does not take in to consideration several important factors. First and foremost, Jesus was aware that he HAD to die in that manner and it was God's plan on the why, whom, and how it would happen.

Something to really analyze is this…Is doing the will of God a Sin? Most would say no. We are all aware that as humans we have freedom of choice to follow God's will and to not follow it is a Sin. Using that simple logic is following God's will a Sin if the act is a Sin? This question is a bit of a sticky point of thought. While traditionally the act would be a Sin, but it being God's will would make it NOT a Sin since you can not say God's will is a Sin, since it is God's will. A simple yet easily seen example of this is the making of war, while we are commanded to not kill, yet commends and even helps the Israelites commit the act of war, as it was God’s divine will that they so do.

Now on to poor Judas, was the betrayal a Sin under normal circumstances, yes of course. Was his betrayal of Jesus a Sin in this context, I would say no its not. Let me explain, God's will being perfect and never a Sin, is what is the root cause of Judas' betrayal. He had free will to betray or not betray Jesus. To NOT betray him would be Against God's will and divine plan as the betrayal was a necessary part of his offering of Christ for all of us. Why do I say Poor Judas, put yourself in the position of Judas, You can not betray your friend and Master, and commit the Sin of not doing God's will, or commit was is seen as a sin and do God's will. Either way he feels like he is committing a Sin. Fortunately for all of us, did follow God's will, betrayed Jesus, who was then crucified and became our Lord and Savoir.

Using the biblical text, not much is said of Judas’ calling to be an Apostle, his ministry or part in any miracles. Based on that, we can assume one of two things, either he was removed by the writers to vilify him or that is calling was that of being the betrayer. While writers do say the “Devil” entered him, that does not make sense given that God wanted Jesus to be betrayed and crucified, and it would not have been advantageous for Satan to help create the Savior of Man if we are to take Satan’s traditional role as basis of our thoughts on his actions.

Yet even in doing God’s will, Judas still felt guilty of a Sin, giving back the silver and then later committing suicide. This shows that Judas obvious had repented for his “transgressions” against Jesus regardless of the divine will of God, a trait often admired by Christians of all denominations and flavors. Based on all of this, I would have to disagree with Dante that Judas is in the inner circle of hell, but in heaven still serving his earthly and heavenly Masters. This theory is similar in overall effect, but not specific thoughts to an early Gnostic sect known as the Cainites.

Joshua D. Copeland

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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 hand-fasting 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