Free Online Ordination: August 2008

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Defining Spiritualism

In Websters II Dictionary, spiritualism is defined as a philosophy, doctrine, or religion emphasizing the spiritual rather than the material. It could also be said that spiritualism is the belief that spirit is the ultimate reality. No minister can espouse a view of the Eternal without incorporating an aspect of the spirit. How we each see and acknowledge the essence of spirit is important to how effective our ministry stays, but how we relate our own lives to this spirit is vital to our ministry.

It is far easier to talk about spirit, talk about what God wants from us and of us, if we can somehow manage to keep God at an arm’s length. That way it becomes less personal and we can wax and wane philosophical until we grow short of breath. It becomes only words. Letting the Spirit of God into our lives in a meaningful way in which we surrender our self-protecting images and desires is the hardest thing we must do. In the movie Shreck, the main character tells his sidekick, Donkey, that Ogres are like onions, full of layers. How true of ourselves if only we would admit it. We spend years growing up and adding to the layers of deceit, and half-truths, hoping that by saying something it would eventually become the truth. Some of the layers are added by experiences not of our making, and some by our own design. Regardless of how the layers became, in order to truly become what we were made to be, we must undergo our own journey into the wilderness and shed these layers, to be broken down so that God can build us in his likeness, without all the trappings we thought we needed. This cathartic experience leaves us stripped of pride, arrogance; ready to admit that we are not in control of our life let alone our universe. (It’s amazing how we make God in our image so that we think we have control over things.) But our wilderness trail, whether it takes the form in this lesson of lost in the woods, or something different, it serves the same purpose – to bring us back to our senses and back into fold of the Eternal. It is after this point, as weak as a newborn, that we begin to prepare for ministry in the way that God wants and not from our own desires. Having been through this, we can relate to others in a way that no one can, as imperfect beings trying to live according to the Master’s wishes. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." EPHESIANS 2:8-10

Rev. Ron Boucher

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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.

Religious Philosophy

What Religious Philosophy is for Me

By Rev. Sherryl Craig

As I think back to when I was a child I remember Sunday mornings in Sunday school class and those summer time vacation bible school classes. Even as young as I was I felt that there was something missing. There had to be something more to the stories I heard and what I was told in church. It felt like I wasn't getting the whole story. Lucky for me I had a wonderful teacher at home, my grandmother. My grandmother taught us, from a very early age, that we should treat everyone with respect, treat them the same and remember that we all came from the same place.

When I was six years old I decided that I wanted to attend several different churches so that I could get a better understanding of the vast differences in beliefs of other cultures. I still felt that there was a prejudice in the words. No matter what the type of church or religion, if I wasn't true to that one church I was doomed. It seemed as if that was the message in every sermon.

I could not accept it, even as young as six years old. So I stopped attending regular church and began studying independently. I felt so strongly that we were all brothers and sisters no matter what our nationality or culture. We were just given the opportunity to worship in different ways and that made us special. I hope even today that all humanity will one day grasp this outlook on life and spirituality. We are all the same. We are all different. We are all unique in our beliefs and who or what God is to us. It is the combination of sameness, difference, and uniqueness that makes up what I see as the One true religious experience. Unity and being as One.

Science in it¢s many diverse forms explains the vastness of our existence and the Universe from the chemical and atomic make up. It gives us the details of our DNA or how we are formed. But Science also gives us something else. It gives us the opportunity to explore more deeply who we are as spirit. The connection between Science and Religion being the key.

I believe our Spirit is the core of our being. Existing. It is the essence of what makes us who we are and who we become in our spiritual, emotional and psychological lives. It connects us to the universe and to God. Our Higher Power. Spirit exits in our emotions such as love, hate, compassion. To me God is a wondrous being, a higher power that exists in all of us and in all things. Through infinity. God gives us the ability to love and to be of service to others. God allows us to accomplish great things by filling us with a special gift. The gift of free will. When we open ourselves completely to the full true essence of our Higher Power we are able to bring all people, all faiths, all religions and all beliefs together as One, with a common goal to harm none. If we look at the one common denominator of all religions and belief we find that love is a constant in us all. I¢m talking of all positive religions. In doing so, we accept and understand that we all come from the same energy and source.

I know this is just my opinion but when I speak to young adults and children, to corporations and small groups I always try to remember that they each have their own faiths and beliefs and that to reach everyone I must be Universal. Religion is organized whether it be 2 or 200.

Spiritual Awareness is to me infinite.. Religious Philosophy to me is the philosophy or idea that we all worship and honor the same true Higher Power no matter what name we give him/her and we should hold true to bringing forth the positive energy and not the negative from such a mighty and exceptional power. Open your mind to the vastness of space. It is who we are.

What did I bring forth from this course. I think I brought forth the knowledge that no matter what country we live in, no matter what color our skin, or what tone our voice, no matter what name we call our Lord and Lady, we are all family and that is what I wish to teach.

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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.

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

St Paul

This is my first experience studying anyone particular St. in depth. I found the course easy to follow and understand.

Taking the time to look up each of the Bible versus outlined in each lesson was a wonderful experience for me. As I reflected back on my growing up years the lessons read at Church each Sunday took on a new meaning to me. Of course at the time I was growing up we did not dig as deeply into any Bible Study as I have been doing lately. As I prepared Messages for our Sunday Worship Services during the last twenty weeks I was able to use the Lessons sent each week from ULC Seminary to have a clearer understanding of the Epistles and then relate them to those attending our Services. I look forward to being able to continue this process throughout the rest of this year.

After completing this course I now understood why in the first lesson you would write that Paul was the ‘chief of saints’. The life St. Paul led was one devoted to living out the teachings of Christ. If we could all follow this Christian experience what a better world we would live in.

Thank you for the last few lessons particularly on What is Sin? And What is Grace?

My prayer is that I will be able to use these lessons in helping our congregation understand these to important lessons as we move forward in our church development.

Lesson nineteen Life’s Big Question added the scripture for that perfect healthy diet, agricultural and economic policy. Thank you for those enlightening versus.

It would not be right not to comment on Lesson Twenty Spiritual Gifts. One of the requirements for an individual joining our congregation is that they complete a Spiritual Gifts Questionnaire. This questionnaire consists of 168 questions to determine what gifts an individual will bring to the congregation. This is a great help in getting a new person volunteering in the area that they are best suited for at that time.

I look forward to continuing my education through ULC Seminary,

Rev. Don Eck

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Masters of Religion

First let me say how much I enjoyed each lesson. Since this is the first course I have taken with ULC Seminary I am very much impressed with the program. I have looked forward each week to receiving a new lesson to read and study. Having been raised Catholic I found the lessons on Bible Basics, The Old and New Testaments to be very helpful since we never really studied in depth the Bible in any of my formal education.

The lesson on effective Bible Study has been very helpful when preparing my Sunday messages for our Worship Services each week. Having purchased a tab-register and gluing into my Bible has help speed up finding various parts as needed.

The lesson on Worship only confirmed that what I have started with our Church here in Salem, Oregon has been done correctly.

The next four lessons couldn’t have come at a better time as I was working with a couple on Marriage preparation and divorce issues. These lessons only supported what I had been telling this young couple and gave me great confidence in dealing with them. As it turned out I was able to find away to work with them to determine that a Christian Marriage could not be performed at this time. They were able to make that decision because of my taking this program and I am very happy that I chose this class as my first through ULC Seminary.

I found the lessons on the History of Christianity to be very informative. Actually to my surprise the second course I enrolled in was The Life of St. Paul and was timed perfectly to fit in with these lessons.

The lesson on Religious Denominations was very interesting and helped me in understanding; that when I say we are a Bible based Non-Denomination that we do not need to be affiliated with any named denomination. We are teaching and living the Bible.

I look forward to continuing my education with ULC Seminary.

Rev. Don Eck

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The Four Gospels

A Reflection on the Parable of the Good Samaritan

The power, relevance and intense meaningfulness of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10, 25-37) has particular resonance at the present time as we reflect on some of the theological controversies tearing Christians apart and distracting from the fundamental message and impact of Christ’s legacy. In particular, a virtual schism in the Anglican Communion, as events are acted out in the United Kingdom, the USA and Africa, is threatening to tear that Church apart. Many of us in the Universal Life Church with its principles of tolerance and acceptance, will surely find it well-nigh impossible to comprehend the legalistic nature of this debate which concentrates upon minute points of interpretative exegesis at the expense of those virtues of understanding, outreach and brotherhood which would seem to be the way forward if contemporary religious bodies are to provide the guidance and spiritual counsel for which this age of uncertainty and shifting moral values cries out.

As a corrective, the parable of the Samaritan could be said to encapsulate, on a number of levels, the essential meaning and timeless appeal of the Christian message and outreach which should never be forgotten however intense the theological debate may become. Initially, it may seem to be just a lesson in social responsibility that is universally applicable (and, indeed, it can be seen as such) but it is crafted in such a way as to suggest a new beginning for followers of Christ and to underline the inadequacy of the pre-existing Law. The questioner (almost an interrogator) is a religious lawyer who seems to epitomise the genre; his in-depth knowledge of all 613 points of the Torah appears to afford him authority and certainty, but it can also be seen as a barrier to a true relationship with God. Instead of allowing easy access for those who wished to approach God, the system was obsessed with regulations and caveats which made communion with God more of an obstacle course than a spiritual journey designed to weed out and reject rather than welcome the sinner.

Jesus clearly has learned how to deal with this mindset; he answers the lawyer’s initial question (verse 25) with another question (verse 26) – a typical lawyer’s ploy, some would say - and when the lawyer responds by quoting from the Law (verse 27), Jesus applauds him and agrees that that is the proper way. The lawyer, however, is not satisfied with this and asks a supplementary question, perhaps hoping to disconcert or trick Jesus and this provides the trigger for the parable.

On a superficial level, the parable is a well-chosen example designed to appeal to his audience and drawn from the contemporary context. One long section of the Jerusalem-Jericho road, was so perilous and notorious for robberies and assaults on travelers, many of whom would be priests or temple-officers traveling back and forth, that it had been named The Way of Blood. Doubtless, as in contemporary British society, plagued by knife-crime, the received wisdom was not to ‘have a go’ but to pass discreetly ‘on the other side’ so as to avoid a similar fate. The priest and the Levite do just this, but the Samaritan, regarded by the Jews as an outcast and unbeliever, not only stops to administer first aid but gives generously of his time and money to help the victim to recover fully. Asked the ‘killer’ question by Jesus, the lawyer has no choice but to say, probably reluctantly, that the Samaritan was the good neighbour. This seems to convey the underlying meaning that the standards preached by Jesus apply to all communities and ethnic groups not merely to those whom God has allegedly chosen. The parable, in its entirety, also suggests that the Samaritan really represents Jesus, whose intervention is required if such rigorous standards are ever to be met; the implication is clear: that the priests, despite all their minute regulation, their continual sacrifices and almost obsessive compulsive attitude to religion, fall woefully short in this regard. It is Jesus who will safeguard the traveler on ‘the journey’ and sustain them in times of trial or flagging spirits.

Let us pray that this simple but powerful message may remain uppermost in the minds of those who are inclined towards controversy and schism at the expense of the spiritual needs of those to whom they minister.

From: Rev. Graham Louden (UK)

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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, as well as courses in Mystical Christianity, Buddhism and Comparative Religion. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Four Gospels

Contradictions and inconsistencies are numerous in the book of John, as many statements seem to negate the major theme and strengths of previous books, which emphasize love and nonjudgmental attitude toward others. Here, in parts of the book of John these major points are somewhat negatively modified.

In chapter 15 Jesus takes the glory for himself with the statement no one can bear any fruit without him. It is more about following the words of Jesus than following God’s words. By doing this in the writings he creates a separateness, divisive attitude among people in fact excluding those that may have a different point of view, a different belief system in place, a path that doesn’t include Jesus being the one and the only way to God.

The stories do seem to be written bluntly and in a more direct way. It is his (Jesus’) way or the highway. There is no room for questions or misinterpretations, or discussions. Freedom for a person to reflect on the words of Jesus and show their love for God is not possible if not through Jesus. You must and can only be granted a place in heaven by being a student and believer in Jesus. This is exclusionary and judgmental of other great religions that may share messages that are valid and very similar in many areas. With this divisive language it changes the focus of previous books to now the messenger IS the message.

There are other areas of the book that I feel are positive and supportive and that enhance positive growth for the followers. Why are there injustices in the world? Why is a person born with afflictions? This section brings insight to dispel thoughts of a curse by God but rather emphasizes that the person is an instrument to bring forth lessons to others that could not have been conveyed and achieved without their affliction. To learn all the lessons one needs to learn you must and will get different perspectives based on perhaps a series of incarnations. That may include different genders, races, physical handicaps, etc. Spirit lives on and is everlasting and this is what Jesus was showing people with the resurrection.

There is however inconsistencies here in John concerning judgmental attitudes. Though he espouses that “only through me” as previously discussed, here in chapter 12 he expresses how important people’s works and deeds will judge them. “What comes around goes around”, “Judge not lest ye be judged”. And in chapter 13 when Jesus washed the feet of other students he was basically supporting the idea that all people are equal and no man is above another; a symbol of equality.

The fact that there are so many obvious contradictions and inconsistencies supports the possibility that there were not only different authors but they were written during different times and circumstances reflecting such diverse interpretations.

Rev. Denise Ostopo-Gliozzi

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Wiccan Studies

I found that the lesson on History was interesting especially since the writings of the “Malleus Malificarum” and the writings of Jean Bodin “De la Demonomanie des Sorciers”, these lead us up to the Infamous Spanish Inquisition of the times (1227-1792) and the “Burning Times” (1550-1600 C. E.

Were it not for Gerald Gardner, modern paganism would not exist. As is

pointed out, he wrote several books on the subject of Witchcraft and paganism in

general with such titles as, “High Magic’s Aid” and “The Witches’ Sabbats”.

Gerald Gardner also wrote “Witchcraft Today”,”Gardner’s Book of Shadows”,

“The Meaning of Witchcraft”, and “Goddess Arrives”.After that the “Neo Pagan”

movement began.

In Lesson 9 on Reincarnation I disagree on several points, First, I’d

like to point out that I know of certain Archangels, namely , Michael, whom I have

seen after my second wife went through her transition and was ascended to be as

she is now, an Angel by the name, ‘Barbarailu”, she is my “Twin Flame”. We were

both created out of the same mold, the “Cosmic Ovid”. Due to our joint Karma, we

were separated from the Godhead, where she began her life here on Planet Earth as

the beautiful daughter of Dioscorus, papal legate to Justinian I at Constantinople.

With the help of Origen, she was later converted to Christianity. She was beheaded by her father c. 235. Barbara was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church as St. Barbara. We will again be joined as “one” in the near future. So that you can understand, we are connected and intertwined, intermingled, so to speak, quantitatively speaking. I, myself started my life here on Planet Earth during the time of Seti I, Pharoah of Egypt and father of Ramesses II. This was during the time of Moses. Later, in another lifetime, we again were brought together as husband and wife (c.e. 1979). That is why I know of reincarnation. I remember at least three past lives. I, also was St. Gordanus. c.1190-1237) This time around I know that I must strive to balance my karma. Angel Barbarailu has already balanced most of her karma. All that is needed is 51%.

Lesson 10 on the holidays was quite interesting. I’ve discovered many things about the different holidays or Sabbats. I’ve discovered the traditional names for the Sabbats and Esbats and in lesson 12 I’ve discovered the names of the 13 moons during the course of a year. In lesson 13 on Wiccan Mythology, I discovered the chart of mythical entities. Also I discovered the Welsh Myth of Pwyll. It was quite interesting. Lesson 14 is about more Mythology.

Lesson 14 on Rituals is very interesting. There are so many rituals out there I will not attempt to write my own without plagiarism. Skipping now to lesson 18 on herbalism.

Lesson 18 - Herbalism was very interesting. I learned abot many different herbs and their uses. I recently read about another herb not mentioned here. It is one called “Ayahuesca”, a Peruvian plant that causes dreams. It is used by peruvian Shamans. This is mentioned in the book “The Eagles Quest” by Dr. Fred Alan Wolf. Here, Dr. Wolf attempts to compare Shamanism with Quantum Physics.

Skipping now to Lesson 22 on Spells. There are a lot of free spells that I can uncover, for instance, Llewellyn gives a - Spell - a - Day. I have found out that a majority of these do not work properly. One must work out each spell on their own, and if it works , then it may be recorded in your own Book of Shadows.

Lord Starwalker gives some good advice on perfecting the spells. I have gone through the consecration of the tools and took the self initiation ritual as presented be another source.

This concludes my Final Essay on the Dr. Of Wiccan Studies Course.

Rev. Dr. Gordon S. Reed

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Shamanism

The Universal Life Seminary’s Master of Shamanism on-line study course was a pleasurable, accessible and informative experience and a conformation to personal journey started many years ago. I first experienced a call to the ministry in 1974 and began formal biblical studies and ministerial training. I was ordained and pastured evangelical churches for ten years, and during that time, I’ve experienced a spiritual evolution. Leaving the pastoral ministry, I began holistic health studies, became a certified massage therapist and holistic practitioner and eventually a certified hypnotist. All the while, I was on an unconscious journey toward shamanism. Being basically self-taught, I found the Master of Shamanism course reassuring. I had read or was familiar with much of the information provided, but enjoyed the concise presentation. I have made a notebook that I am sure will be invaluable in the future.

I have learned to blend Eastern, Western and Native American philosophies, with modern and ancient practices of the healing arts often call shamanism. I ascribe to many of the teachings of Dr. Michael Harner, Ph.D. founder of The Foundation for Shamanic Studies and Dr. Roger N. Walsh, M.D., Ph.D. in his work ‘The Spirit of Shamanism’. Keeping an open mind, I question and test what I hear, am taught and learn in order to discover its truth and relevance in our contemporary world. I do not believe in the need or use of psychedelic or hallucinatory drugs, nor extreme physical feats of endurance to achieve the contemporary shaman journey.

The two segments in the Master of Shamanism studies that stand out most in my mind is one, the Jewish Shaman, and how it relates to the ministry of Jesus. It presents a logical approach to Jesus’ motivation in His earthly ministry. I have long held the belief that Jesus’ ministry was that of a shaman.

The second lesson that stands out to me was lesson 14. The group meditation and the beautiful “Healing Journey,” is a tool that I am eager to apply in my own work. I sight these to two instances, but they’re dozens of other equally valuable lessons to assimilate. I will reread over and over.

My only wish is that there be a lesson on practical application. I have developed my own practice through trial and error. When I say practice, I mean it literally. I practice shaman healing on a daily bases. I have a city business license and malpractice and liability insurance and offer my services to the public for a fee. I comply with the State of California’s Holistic Practitioners compliance and work out of the Tehachapi Healing Art Center. I had to get insurance from two different carriers, one for massage/bodywork and one for hypnosis and because I touch my clients, I also have to have a police permit. I could not find a single source of information on how to develop my practice and believe such information would be very helpful. I would be happy to offer my input if Universal Life Church Seminary would like to address this subject in the future.

My granddaughter gave me the name Paka, with a soft k, which means ‘wind’ or ‘spirit’ in the Paiute language, as in pahogunt, meaning ‘man having power’ or ‘shaman,’ in Paiute. I embrace shamanism not as a religion, but as a holistic worldview. I simply practice and share what I have learned and experienced first hand. I believe in the old adage, ‘practice what you preach.’ I am not an Old World, Asian nor Native American Shaman; I practice Holistic Wellness and what I call, ‘Contemporary American Shamanism.

By Rev. Eugene Stirm

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A Course In Miracles

This lessons that I got the most out of were the last two lessons. In Lesson #19, which is about Miracles and Your Work, I had never considered my job as something I could do or make it into holy work. Before reading Lesson #19, I would just show up to work, do my job, and then got back home. Work was just something I did to earn the money to pay my bills. I work in a grocery store where I am in contact with a lot of people in the community. When I would talk with them, I would do my best with them and offered minimal help. After reading Lesson #19, I have been trying, with some success too, that extending my hand to them as brothers and sisters has had quality to these peoples shopping experience at our store. With other co-workers, I didn’t interact with them much and showed little concern for them. Know I am extending my hand to them as brothers and sisters and have improved relationships with them. For example, an older man in the bakery department seemed to be rude and very distant from me, like he didn’t want to deal with me. After saying hello a few times and asking how he was, I seemed to have gotten through to him and know he is saying hi to me and asking how I am doing. I had never thought of trying to do something like this before. He still has some of that “don’t bother me attitude” but he seems to have lighten up some. Also, I am saying thank you and your welcome to people at work and to people, like my family, outside of work. In the beginning of the lesson, it talks about giving and getting. I was always trying to get stuff, especially my way. Now, I am giving more of myself and it has been working well.

Lesson #20 was also a really great lesson and it hit home with me about the addictions. I bought into the lies of smoking and drinking alcohol. While I continue to smoke, I have given up drinking alcohol. I used alcohol to cope with life whether it was going good or going bad. I drank alcohol as a social lubricate in social settings because I felt it made it easier to talk to females and also help me open up to other people. But looker back on that behavior, I was just buying into lies about alcohol. Alcohol and smoking also made me feel more important than other people because of these lies that are put out by the tobacco and alcohol industries. I also felt peer pressure to use both so I could be seen as socially acceptable. Fortunately, there is a Higher Power that I can surrender to and have that Higher Power can help me with these addictions. In Lesson #20, it mentions shopping as one which I had never considered before but know I now that shopping is an addiction for me because I always have to be buying things that I don’t need and in more quantities that I could ever use.

This course was very helpful and have been using things from other lessons to improve my relationship with my Higher Power and with other people. The information in this course has really helped and has improved relationships in my life.

Rev. Michael S. Barth

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Life of St. Paul

When, I first heard about St. Paul, I didn't want to know him, never mind study about him. The truth is, I felt something was not quite Kosher about the great St.Paul. I fought the idea of taking a course about him.

I do consider myself an honest and just person, so I decided that it was not fair to judge this man, simply because I didn't like the cut of his chin.

St. Paul proved to be a very strong idealist and warrior for his beliefs, even if they may be wrong.

It takes a strong man to admit, not only to himself but the world that he has made a mistake.

He got up on his high horse a "Prosecutor" and fell off, only to get up a "Protector"

Once converted, St. Paul pursued his task with vehemence and stalwart dedication. He gave his all. No holding back for any reason.

It was written, that St. Paul came to interpret Christ's teachings. At first, this really angered me. For, I felt that Christ needed no interpreter. Christ spoke plainly and in the language of the people. The fact that they did not accept His teachings or misunderstood them, was to do with their own limitations. After reading and researching St. Paul's interpretations, I understood what he was trying to do.

There were many people out there saying and teaching some wild and crazy ideas and calling it Christ's teachings. St. Paul was not so much interpreting, as correcting the teachings that were being spread by others.

The other thing that bothered me, is when St. Paul spoke of the women in the church. That they should be SILENT. 1 COR 14:34-35 That if they have any questions, they should wait to ask their husbands when they have returned to their homes. That's when I almost put the book down and walked away.

But I began to think of St. Paul........

Paul = Hebrew =Hebrew upbringing = ancient times = belief women are property and not even allowed to have an education =male chauvinism at it's peak = Paul didn't know any better.

Paul, as always, used what he knew. It was what it was. The world was run this way at the time. I would hope that if St. Paul showed up now, he would have a different view.

After all, God did not knock down Joseph and take a rib from his side and create, Jesus. God chose a woman. A woman was at the center of this most sacred act. Somehow, I feel God does not think of women as such low creatures. The vessel of womanhood held the Son of God.

THE MEN OF THE WORLD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

Thank you for this course. I have learned a great deal about St. Paul and I have learned to respect him. I have also been made stronger and prouder in my own Sacred Feminism.

+Peace of Christ to all.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Paganism

This was another great course! The Master of Paganism started out with the creation of the universe. What a beautiful creation myth! I loved the spiral dance myth and can fully understand why and how the earth was considered a beautiful, magical place. Certainly, our ancestors had a great sense of creativity and romance!

It’s interesting to note that each culture had its own set of pantheons – gods and goddesses and many types of worship were popular. There are holidays, Sabbats and Esbats, and the wheel of the year (as in Wicca). The guardians of the four directions keep the universe stable and have different names depending upon the culture or branch of paganism. Their role is to guard sacred space.

There are magical beings like fairies, angels and spirit guides. Many different beliefs exist about the afterlife, also depending upon the culture. All believe there is life after death and that your actions in this life have some impact on the afterlife. It’s easy to see how some of these beliefs have influenced all modern religions, not just those of pagan origin.

In order to understand Paganism a little bit better, I bought some of the books referred to in the course. The one I found most helpful was The Spiral Dance. There are a few others that I want to check out like When God Was A Woman and The Golden Bough.

I really enjoyed studying about Paganism. It reminded me of Greek and Roman mythology that I studied in school that taught me about the different gods and goddesses and their personalities and stories in history. It was a lot of fun and gave me a good base to understand other Pagan traditions. I highly recommend this course.

Rev. Patricia Buben

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Wiccan Studies

The Introduction to Wicca is a very interesting and well-written course. I took it because I had no prior background or knowledge in Wicca. From the very first lesson it was engaging and very thorough. It was very informative and insightful and the author used humor throughout to get his points across.

All of the tools used in Wicca were discussed in detail, the reasons why they are used, and how to set up your altar properly. Lord Starwalker gave a lot of background information which I found very helpful. It not only helped me understand the position of items on the altar, but helped me be much more creative with it because I had the sense I knew what I was doing!

Information was presented on all of the Wiccan holidays, what they are, the gods and goddesses involved, the history and symbolism, the wheel of the year, and the Sabbats and Esbats. There certainly are a lot of them to keep track of! It must be fun to have these celebrations all year long. It is interesting how many parallels there are between Wiccan and Christian holidays.

Another facet of Wicca is the use of energy. We hear so much today about energy medicine for healing. Energy is something that Wiccans have always known about and used for healing and for spells. Energy healing has been around for at least hundreds if not thousands of years.

Lord Starwalker is an excellent teacher and had a great sense of humor. I enjoyed and looked forward to each lesson. I am so glad I took this course because it gave me such a great perspective on this tradition. I wanted to know more about Wicca after taking this course and have bought a couple of interesting books to further my reading and knowledge.

Rev. Patricia Buben

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Spirit Quest

First and foremost I want to thank you for your dedication and effort (s) in presenting me the opportunity to further my education and spiritual walk.

As I’ve stated on the forum previously I started this course eagerly and with much positive anticipation. The fist few lessons were confirmations to me that I was, indeed, upon my correct spiritual truth-path. Grounding, centering, were things that I was already doing and already teaching to others.

As the lessons continued I was to be found having a complete knee-joint replacement. Only by grounding, centering, using my roses, blowing them up, bringing in my suns, allowing the pain to go into the middle of the earth and be re-born as positive healing did I make it through. Did it work?

“Oh my goodness, you’re healing so fast!”, or “My, your scar looks incredible, I’ve never seen anything like this!” to “I can’t believe you’re walking so well in such a short time!” Confirmations, affirmations, whatever you want to call it…..you and Spirit Quest have helped me through a time in my life that could have been much worse on this old Crone.

More? My grandson infected with the MRSA bacteria. On the brink of losing him, I enfolded him in a blue healing rose while blowing up his infection in a black one…he’s doing just fine. Was it me? No, never me, but the combination of my learning the Spirit.

Quest techniques and believing in them; a Doctor who recognized the infection; and most importantly the Mother Goddess and Father God who allowed me to learn this technique and be able to use it with intent; I give full credit.

The next door neighbor whose cancer has returned and is in despair. A young friend who needed and is going thru a rare liver disease and transplant. Spirit Quest and what I’ve learned here has been a tremendous help with how I’ve responded to each person, how I’ve been able to counsel them, pray for them.

I am also a Shamanic Student. What I am learning there and what I’ve learned here are becoming merged as one. We are all connected; everything and everyone that has been, is now, and will be. Each turn of our Mother Earth and all upon Her is connected to us. “We are star stuff, Grammy” my grandson said to me one night as we gazed at the universe. “Why do you say that?” I asked. “Well, if God/dess made us, and the stars, then S/He’s in both”.

Am I on the right Spiritual path? I am. I’m happy, complete, and comfortable in my truth. Living as well as I can, learning my lessons and asking for wisdom to carry them forward to others who are on their journeys.

The most important factor in all this is that I’ve laid down my fear. All I can do is to live my life moment by moment. Not minute by minute, hour by hour nor day by day. Each moment precious, each one a gift; each a life and a death then a life again, thus the circle continues. Spirit Quest has given me the tools to become better able to do this for myself and help those who come into my world understand that they are eternal; Spiritual, Divine, part and parcel of the I AM, the WHOLE.

Spirit Quest added tools, from that confidence, in that peace.

By Rev. Sandra Josey Bishop

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Four Gospels

I have studied and/or read the Four Gospels multiple times throughout my life. I have always found them to offer wisdom and truisms that apply to ones life no matter what struggles one is dealing with. Depending on ones circumstances a verse can be interpreted differently. For my final essay, I am going to focus on Luke 9:25-26.

Luke 9:25 NIV says “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” While there are obviously many powerful statements in the Bible, this is one that thoroughly applies to those of us who are career minded individuals. As I advanced in my career that verse always reminded me that money wasn’t the most important thing in the world. God and family are.

A few weeks ago Nelson Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday. Many consider him to be a hero as he spent his life fighting apartheid. A resounding comment he made was “I also have that wish that I spent more time with my family.” Many powerful / rich men (and women) sacrifice their family life to build empires, earn awards or hold high levels of political office. I believe most took pause at this comment.

I personally toil away in my workplace 50 or more hours a week, as does my husband. Rung by rung we have climbed the career ladder and I consider both of us very successful. We live a comfortable lifestyle and have amply saved and planned for retirement. We have done our very best to find the career – family balance, and believe we have been successful as evidenced by our two adult children. Yet, this verse shames us. Not because we lost our focus on God or family, but we lost our focus on self. We lost our voice.

In the workplace we are politically correct and are careful not to “offend” others, who by their very lifestyle offend us. While co-workers (each of us is in this situation) blatantly flaunt their homosexual lifestyles, anti-Christian sentiment is rampant. It is perfectly acceptable for pamphlets supporting gay marriage or other ACLU sponsored legislation to lie about. However, neither of us would EVER place conflicting documentation in its place. Why? Are we ashamed of God? Do we question our belief structure? The answer to both of these is an emphatic NO!

Luke 9:26 NIV says “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

This study has opened my eyes to the darkness that I have shrouded myself in at work. It has opened up the discussion amongst my family as to how to better project to those around who we truly are. Do we start “bashing” non-believers? I don’t think so, as this would only increase the divide between the two. The first thing I did was strategically place “Jesus” cards in my office. These are inexpensive (.15 ea) scripture cards with “cute” sayings. “The task ahead of you is NEVER as great as the Power within you. Philippians 4.13”. I also have a frog in my office. When someone asks “what’s the frog for?” I answer “to remind me to Fully Really On God!”

Rev. Michelle Fields

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Christian Studies

In this course, I learned a lot about the different titles and how to address someone who has a certain title. I also liked the lessons on the history of the Church. I did not realize how persecuted the early Christians were and the difficulties that they faced. I know the Saint Paul had been jailed many times for what he was doing but did not realize that being Christian could result in punishment including death. I was fascinated about Constantine and how he helped to try to spread Christianity. I know that in lesson 15, that there is some question if Constantine’s about whether or not if his conversion to Christianity was genuine which I did not know. I was also interested in the Spanish Inquisition where Ferdinand and Isabella tried to unite the country with Catholicism. I had learned before that people were persecuted for their beliefs, but did not realize how deadly the Inquisition was and also did not realize that they also persecute fellow Christians who were not Catholic. I was got a lot out of the lessons about how Saul was converted from Judaism to a Christian.

I never knew before that Saul had persecuted Christians and then ended up having a conversion to Christianity himself. I also did not realize before the Saul had been present for the stoning of Stephen. I learned that Saul, now Paul, had traveled a lot to spread the Good News to people of the Jewish faith and to those of the non-Jewish faith (Gentiles). Paul must have spent quite a bit of time just traveling to places due to what transportation options he had at the time (e.g. boat, walking, horses, etc.). I was also surprised at the number of books that are left out of the Bible. I knew that the Catholic Church had more books in the Bible, but when I looked at the list, I was surprised at the number of books missing from the Bible and most of these books I had never even had heard of until I saw the list. This course was definitely worth taking and really got a lot out of it.

Rev. Michael Barth

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Paganism

The first thing that really got my attention is how much I do not know about Paganism. I think I have a lot of interest finding even more about Paganism even after taking this course. I was really interested in how Pagans worship different gods and goddesses. The first thing that really worked for me was meditating. Meditating really got me relaxed. I was unable to concentrate long enough to do the entire meditation that was suggested but was able to adapt some meditation techniques that really worked for me.

The next thing that really interested me is Section 2 and 3 of Lesson #5 about Summerland and Winterland and how some Pagans believe that the go to this paradise (Summerland) until they are reborn and that others believe in Winterland which is where the dead go. I really liked the reincarnation philosophy in Paganism as well with other religions and how it is linked to karma. Another thing that got my attention was the amount of holidays that Pagans celebrate. I know that some of them are minor holidays and others are major holidays and that some are general and some are deity specific. A lot of these holidays I had never heard of before but I am glad I got to be exposed to them.

Due to living with my parents and grandmother, I was unable to set up a permanent altar to practice a lot of the rituals used in this course. I had to set an altar each time but was worth the effort. One of the things was that I was unable to get a lot of the tools that were listed because of a really tight budget but I worked with what I found around the house which worked for me. The effect of the music had a big part in my ritual. The music really helped me relax and helped me to practice the visualization technique. I was fascinated by how different trees where viewed and how they were used. Of the trees listed, I liked what was said about Beech, Oak, and Pines. I will have to try to get some things made out of these woods when money is available or if I can find some that has been discarded. I was fascinated by how different trees where viewed and how they were used. Of the trees listed, I liked what was said about Beech, Oak, and Pines. I will have to try to get some things made out of these woods when money is available or if I can find some that has been discarded.

Some of the things I had trouble with were the grounding and centering after meditating and the manipulation of energy. I also had a hard time finding a quiet place to do my ritual and I was lacking some items to complete what I wanted at my altar. Unfortunately, my neighbors are noisy along with my family which caused some distraction during my ritual that I am still tinkering with. I had to deal without having any herbs and things like the chalice. I know of a metaphysical store in town that I will have to go to. I had trouble grasping some of the symbolism in Paganism but will continue to try to understand it.

This was a real awesome course for me to take. It really opened my mind up to trying new things and trying to find what works for me and what does not. I will have to do more exploration of Paganism

By Rev. Michael Barth

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SHAMANISM

The term “Shaman” has always held a negative connotation for me, as it is a term that has been frowned upon by my Ojibwe (Anishinabe) culture. It has always held a meaning of “western new-age people” who want to take from the Native culture and use it in a way that goes against our values. So taking this course has been very helpful to me, in regard to looking at things in another way. I do not expect that those in my culture will ever see the word “Shaman” and not think negatively, however.

The course began with much talk and discussion regarding using mind-altering and mood-altering chemicals to enhance one’s shamanic gifts. In my experience, however, those who we call “Medicine People” and “Spiritual Healers” are not people who would even consider doing this. I have always been aware of the Native American church, and the use of peyote, in the western tribal areas, and also the Lakota and Sioux tribes who might use mushrooms, etc. However, in our way, the Ojibwe manner, it would be against the values of the healer, or medicine person, to utilize chemicals in any way. There is a great sense of pride in being “sober and clean” and this would certainly be looked down upon in the community.

I have a personal belief about cannabis, marijuana. I believe all plants are from the Creator, and are here to help in some way. For example, it has been found that even poison Ivy is helpful to those with rheumatoid arthritis. But for healthy people, it is best avoided. I believe the same for marijuana: it is there for sick people, those with AIDS or cancer, and those afflicted with these illnesses who cannot keep food down. It has been found to help people with these things. It has also been seen to help with chronic pain in people. So, the Creator has a plan for this plant, but it is NOT for healthy people to use, in my beliefs. It is interesting to note how states are now looking at legalizing this plant, for medicinal purposes.

I am a psychotherapist in private practice, in Duluth, MN. I am just about done with my Ph.D. in the philosophy of Natural Health, through Clayton College of Natural Health. I use natural healing ways in my work as a therapist, and have for years now. I am a Reiki Master, and use this method of healing for many people who come to see me. I also practice meditation and hypnosis (I have been trained in both these practices). I find that they are very healing and helpful for people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, pain and trauma (PTSD). I also practice some Qi Gong and Tai Chi, and use these methods to help people as well. I consider them “healing ways”. So I was glad to see the course address these ways in the text.

As an Ojibwe (Anishinabe) grandmother who carries a pipe, I have come to see the power of prayer as a healer. Also ceremony. I facilitate a full moon ceremony on a monthly basis for women from all walks of life. Sometimes we have 3 or 4 of us, sometimes we have 10 or more women attend! Each of these ceremonies is full of music, use of smudging and the 4 main medicines in our culture, (Tobacco, Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass). We pray under Grandmother Moon, near an outdoor fire, in all kinds of Northern Wisconsin weather! We pray for ourselves, our families, those gone to the Spirit World, and all peoples of the Earth. We pray for the Earth too, and all the creatures of the Earth, including the plants and rocks. We know that women’s time is the night, and so this time of prayer is very powerful. I believe whenever women gather in a circle, there is great power.

I believe trance state and meditation are very powerful states for healing and I use these for myself regularly, and also with my clients. I have attended many doctorings by Medicine men, and have been doctored myself. I know that these ways are healing ways too, just as Reiki is. I believe we need all these healing ways to help ourselves and others in this most difficult time for our Mother Earth. She also needs healing and that is why we pray for her as well.

I agree that one does not refer to oneself as a “shaman”. It is up to the community to name those who are healers and medicine people. The truth of this will always come out, and these people will be sought after for their gifts. When I was first given my pipe, for example, I doubted that I was worthy and I doubted that anyone would call me to come and pray with them, as I was told they would. However, the spiritual people who gifted me with the pipe and gave me that message were right. I have been called often to help with those needing prayer and ministering to. I consider it a privilege and an honor to go and be with people who call. I am but the tool and the carrier of the pipe, which has a Spirit. It is that Spirit that is a healer for those who call. It is a humble thing for me.

I liked the part about all the plants still waiting to be discovered on the Earth, for healing. I have a friend who dreams of healing plants and then can find them in the woods, and use their healing powers. I do not have that gift. I respect all our plants and the medicines they have. I also know that they need to be protected from over-use by those who would take them all away. That is why many Medicine People will not share their secrets.

I also liked that the course addressed etiquette and ethics for healers. This is so important. It becomes known who one can trust in each community, I have found, but we still need to be held accountable. I also liked the message to people going for healing and how to act and behave when there. Many do not know these simple things. In our way, one always brings tobacco as a main gift. It is our way of prayer, and always goes “first”. Gifts are also given, and these can be many things.

I am glad to have taken this course, and to have been able to respond in this way with ULC and the staff there.

Rev. Michele Gordon

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Spirit Quest

With all the wonderful things I’ve learned from this course, it has been difficult to sort out favorites. I have decided to write about the ones that have made the biggest changes. I will start with the Golden Sun.

One particularly exciting incident was the removal of my energy from a previous work place. I enjoyed my job there and all the people involved. I was there much of my time as I tended to work a lot of overtime (my choice). A better paying job came along so, as much as I loved my work, I left for the money. That was in 1987. Since that time, up until I started this course, my dreams were filled with this place. It was unbelievable how often I dreamed of it and the key people who worked there. It was, to say the least, rather annoying. When I read about, and used, the small Golden Sun to go into this place and remove my energy (it took a couple of times to totally clear), this changed. I have not dreamed of this place since. It has been wonderful for me. I am finally at peace with it.

The “Competition” section has been another blessing for me. I have a co-worker that fell into this area. She couldn’t stand me and after a while I didn’t like being around her, talking to her, or listening to her talk on the phone. The tension had gotten pretty bad. She always spoke to me in a demeaning, superior manner and constantly looking for something I did incorrectly then would to my boss about it (which never got me in trouble as the were petty complaints). The “Competition” lesson came just in time. It was a job saver as I was getting ready to quit my job just to get away from all the tension as I didn’t know what the problem was. After reading the section, however, it showed me what the problem was. She and I had the same job title and she was there before me, thus the competition.

I practiced hard on the spiritual “Hello” every day for a while and let it go to see what would happen. There has not been a tremendous change in our relationship. It has taken a little while as it didn’t happen over night, but we get along quite well now. There is no more tension, we pitch in and help each other out when needed, and she will actually come into my office just to chat. Thank God this has happened. The tension is gone and the work environment is much more pleasant. Believe it or not, just the understanding of what was going on and the spiritual connection has brought about this unique change.

I have also gotten very good results from the destroying of roses. My most recent, and most important, action with putting my problems into the rose and destroying them was due to the pain, sorrow, and uncertainty of events surrounding the death of my Mother. I have recently used the roses to help me deal with this. I would put one issue at a time into the rose and destroy it and filling up with the Golden Sun. I would do this a couple of times and then create a rose and put Love into it and do the same thing. It has helped my cope with this event much better. I am still very sad, but the creation and destruction of the roses has helped heal the excruciating pain and I have found a lot of inner peace. It helped push me through the most devastating parts of the grieving process.

This course is full of so much knowledge and so many tools that I have needed in my life. There are no words that can express my gratitude for such a course. I know that as I continue using these my life will be more peaceful and prosperous.

Rev. Ruth Roberts

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Religion

First, I would like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the Master of Religion course. Over that past 20 lessons I have found myself taking a much deeper look into the King James Bible. Along with some of the alternative translations of the Bible, I came up with more than a few interesting differences in translation from ancient text to the King James version. Here is one of them from

Exodus 22:18 :

Thou shall not suffer a witch to live was changed for the King James Bible from Thou shall not suffer a prisoner to live.

It is also interesting to compare how some versions of the Bible have different versions of the same text. For example, the Roman Catholic Bible has Matthew 17: 14 quoted this way:

Roman Catholic Bible Matthew 17:14

And, when he was come to the multitude, there came to him a man falling down on his knees before him, saying: Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic and suffereth much’ for he falleth often into fire and often into water.

While the Roman Catholic Bible only has it as verse 14, the King James Bible and the New International version have it as verses 14-15. You can see the other differences by comparing the Roman Catholic version to the texts below:

The King James version, Matthew 17:14-15

And when they were come to him a certain man, kneeling down to him and saying,

15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is a lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into fire, and oft into water.

The New International version, Matthew 17:14-15

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He is an epileptic and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into water.

I found that the lost Scriptures portion of the program inspired me to take a much deeper look into other Judeo/Christian texts, such as the Apocrypha, the Book of Enoch, as well as the Nag Hammadi library, also known as the Gospel of St. Thomas. Upon completing my study of the Gospel of St.Thomas, I found myself drawn back to this verse that I feel in many ways shows that Christ is not just in churches but is in all things, if you care to look for him.

(77)(Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there.

Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

I find this verse similar to this from Luke 17:20-21

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

I also found the work of Elaine Pagels, professor of religion at Princeton and an authority on Gnosticism, who argues that St. Paul was a Gnostic, to be of great value and well worth reading for those who wish to study this alternative version of Christianity.

After reading these texts I could see that there was much more to be found outside of the traditional Judeo/Christian text.

One thing that I learned was that Jesus never mentioned starting a new religion; it seems to me more likely that he just wanted to reform Judaism, or set it on a new course. I found the books of British Jewish scholar Hyam Maccoby to be very helpful. Maccoby argued that the real Jesus was not a rebel against the Jewish law, but instead a Jewish Messianic claimant whose life and teaching were within the mainstream of first-century Judaism.

I now believe that Christianity was not so much formed by Jesus but evolved over many centuries. This new religion was founded not from any text that Jesus himself had authored but from the recollections and statements recorded by his followers, and their followers alike.

I know that some critics of the Bible feel these texts are a little disjointed but you must remember that these 66 individual books that make up the King James Bible were written on three continents, in over 3 languages, over a period of 1500 years, by more than 40 authors!

I started on this course searching for answers, and to become much more familiar with the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. I have not only learned more about the Bible but also about many alternative Judeo/ Christian texts, such as the Apocrypha, and various Gnostic texts. On completing this course, I have come to the conclusion that there are many other texts that were given on to man by God, and Christ, and that there are many other texts revealed to us by God’s Prophets. These can only enrich our lives, and help us find our way to God.

As I have stated, I started on this course searching for answers, not knowing where to begin my search. Thanks to this course, I found myself searching in new directions, with a new-found openness to alternative lines of thought. I will continue my Spiritual Quest, as I still have many more questions that I am sure will take more than a lifetime to answer.

Rev. Darrin L. Curreell

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