Comparative Religion

COMPARATIVE RELIGION

By Rev. Nick Federspiel

Lesson one's introduction states:

" … A firm grounding in comparative religion allows an individual to perceive the truth that is within all traditions. We, as human beings, have a tendency to address everything from our own perspective and assume that those we talk to understand our words as we mean them.  We all have had experiences where this has backfired.  It is imperative that as ministers, we make every effort to communicate from the perspective of those we serve. …"

Lesson three states:     

Differences between various religions and philosophies need not divide and separate, but can instead enrich our lives and deepen our capacity to love.  Any minister can do their part to eliminate religious intolerance and fear by helping those they interface with to find understanding, respect, and a common ground to interact.

Most comparative religion courses I have taken including college institutions emphasize how similar religions are. But to the credit of this course there is a clear statement that religions are not the same, but they share innumerable components differentiated by doctrine, symbolism, ceremony and legacy. On occasion the course offers food for thought conclusions such as in lesson four:

" … As can be seen, cultural and religious flood stories around the world are very similar.  Because of the consistency of this story, and current scientific geological data, the idea of a worldwide flood actually happening is very likely.  …"

Fact or not, it is my observation that today we have entered an age of instant international and cultural information communication. But 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 and even 6,000 years ago this was simply not the case considering the limited literacy and embryonic language tools.  THEN when something "similar" was reported from disassociated cultures then there either is an innate philosophical and sociological underlying human need for such a "story" or the story is not a story at all but a  REPORT!  We interpret and filter and analyze as best we can today – right or wrong as the case may be. Did we need religion?   Do we still need religion?  Science has no moment zero creation solution.  It never will.  So religion is with us and deep inside us we know that.  Is a fundamental need for divinity created by divinity why religion is functional in almost all cultures worldwide?  Is that why religion is the target of errant thinking politicians, despots and tyrants?  

This course presents many facts and thus points of view.  However, be it East or West their religious doctrines teach us that throughout history the word is mightier than the sword and the meek inherit the earth.  Who has more followers: Hitler and Stalin or Jesus Christ? Who will have more respect hereafter, Ahmedinejad or Gandhi and Mother Teresa or the atheists or the devoted?  Who were the tormentors and who were the healers? What makes a better organized institutional leader – a historian, a minister or a lawyer?  What does it mean when a word leader fails to participate in his or her fundamental cultural religious practices?   Is this course for aspiring and practicing ministers or for agnostics and atheists or for leaders and well – or everyone?  Knowledge is power this easy to read course delivers both in force.

Lesson five discusses esoteric and exoteric (ex- made available to the public) components of religion – what we should all know or what only a few of us know or are informed of.  I think this is one of the failures of the Christian religion allowing too much agnosticism and atheism to invade it worldwide as we should all have access to the same core religious information.  Today this is more possible than ever. One only needs to be motivated to learn.  This course, available to any ULC Seminary participant, significantly helps mitigate the esoteric - exoteric knowledge gap.

How about some interesting theories – consider this excerpt from lesson six: 

" … The rabbis represented this aspect of the tablets (Ten Commandments)by assuming a square shape, with the ten commandments graven in normal Hebrew right to left order, but also left to right; in normal top to bottom order, but also bottom to top. Because the commandments were carved completely through the stone, they could be read both by Moses and those facing him. …    In Tiferet Yisrael, (Chapter 35, pp. 101-102 in standard editions) R. Judah Loew, the Maharal " !!!!!  I (Ed Codish) am going to suggest a way to read Jewish sacred texts, including Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, Mishna, Gemmara, Midrash, and rabbinical commentaries on these. …"

Lesson eight and nine are a mini encyclopedia of numerous religious symbols. Lesson ten is about prayer:

 " … Although meditation, contemplation and prayer are all methods used to interact with the Divine, each has nuances of discrete differences in methodology, purpose …"  

Lesson eleven discusses eschatology and the puzzle of the ages; why do bad things happen to righteous people? Does bad beget a condemned hereafter or does one recycle and is offered a second, third fourth … chance to get it right?

" … For most religions, suffering is the result of human failing or the lack of human understanding.  In monotheistic religions, suffering is wrapped up in the concept of sin and human failing.  In the Eastern religions, suffering is the result of humankind's lack of understanding, or enlightenment. … What makes a sin depends on the religion.

Does this sound familiar – from lesson eleven:

Purification through a ritualistic baptism was required of all faithful, who took part in a ceremony in which they drank wine and ate bread to symbolize the body and blood of God…".

The above commentary is of Persian mythology of Mithras! 

Lesson twelve is of ceremonies. Lesson thirteen about sacred space and lesson fourteen is about reverent and lay titles. These are great summaries and if you can download the captive pictures within the text there are excellent descriptive graphics. (With my Vista browsers integrated graphic downloading was sadly hit and miss.) Lesson fifteen is a brief on the sacred texts. Like the Prajnaparamita and Diamond Sutra(s), Isalm's Hadith, the Dasam Granth and Zen-Avesta!  When one discuses 'Holy' scripture one inevitably has to explain this:

 " … insistence on … "inerrancy" raises all sorts of practical problems for interpreters, who sometimes find themselves scrambling to explain away blatant inconsistencies in factual data such as chronology or geography. …  Some religions make written texts widely and freely available, while others hold that sacred secrets must remain hidden from all but the loyal and the initiate …" ( i.e esoteric vs. exoteric knowledge).

Lesson sixteen is about those divine messengers like angles, daevas, kachinas, hunmanits, and of course human prophets.  One has to ponder the effects one ancient religion had on another. By example this statement about Zoroastrian angels:

 " … It is believed, that the Guardian Angel takes a person in an ecstatic embrace at the moment of death. 

Zoroastrians also believe that corresponding to the Lord of Light there is also a Lord of Darkness, with complementary demons and evil spirits, and it is felt that in the battle between light and darkness the forces of light will eventually win. …"

Well, there is more, but why should I give the ending away and ruin the whole movie for everyone!  I lament the course is not YET available in printed media (thus with all the graphics!) as it deserves to be complete and on my reference shelf vs. being tucked away on my flash drive – not a fitting place for such a fine effort from the ULC Seminary catalog of courses -  this one " … created by Rev. Kythera Ann."   My congratulations!

Permission to reprint this course summary is extended to ULC Seminary – Rev. Nick Federspiel

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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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Religious Philosophy

"Developing a Personal Religious Philosophy"

A Final Essay for the Master of Religious Philosophy Course

By Daniel Moore

            Philosophy is the study of the questions of life like, "Who and I and what am I here for?"   It helps a person do make sense of life.  It considers what is ethical.  It investigates what is knowable.  It has many branches to include political philosophy, metaphysics, ethics, and religion.  Religious philosophy takes the tools of philosophy and delves into the region of religion in its various forms.

            This course does a thorough job of taking the tools and applying them not just to religion in general but moves into the various major (and some minor) religions of the world.  It also covers a reasonable span of history.  Also, the various regions of the world were also considered in evaluating religions so it was not limited to just religions/denominations but also the regional and cultural factors included.

            One of the challenges facing any philosopher is how to classify the world's religions.  I liked the instructor's three categories:

            1.  The Natural problem:  How does man get along with the world?

            2.  The Social problem:  How do we get along with each other?

            3.  The Psychological problem:  How do we understand ourselves and our spirituality (if there is one)?

            These are excellent categories.  Further, the instructor noted how regions/religions tended to help in categorizing religions into the broad categories.  And on the whole, it is a good starting point.  I do not like generalities but it is a good place to start when considering a personal religious philosophy.

            From the three questions noted above, it is important, I believe, that every student apply them to his or her faith or religious background.  Though I have a Protestant Christian background which emphasizes the first category, I see that merely as a starting point.  It does not negate the importance of the other two questions to be considered philosophically.  Personally, all people need to ask themselves those three questions.  Their religion (or personal belief system) should help them in guiding them to answer those in a way that enables them to live in this world.

            A great strength of this course was the "food for thought" questions that I found to be challenging.  It is good to strengthen one's mind and wrestle with the concepts given.  The instructor is to be commended for these questions.  He asks the tough questions that caused me to re-evaluate my belief systems.  In some instances, I actually found my personal religious philosophy strengthened.  In other instances, I had to go back and research the "why" of what I believed.  These questions are not for the faint of heart.

            This is a good course to complement the Master of Comparative Religion course for any ULC minister.  It is not enough to know the facts of the various religions in the world.  It is helpful to use the tools of religious philosophy to gain understanding to these religions as well.  As for me, I found this to be an excellent course and recommend it to all.

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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.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

A Course in Miracles

Final Essay Dr. of Metaphysics
Based on A Course In Miracles

By Rev. D.E.

I finished this course several months ago and due to some changing circumstances in my life I had to put off writing this essay.  As I reviewed the course material and reflected on the past few months I was surprised at how I had been using the ideas taught in this class.  I would like to first thank Universal Life Seminary for accepting this fine course.  I would also like to thank Rev. Loretta Siani for all the work that went into putting a course like this together.

Several years ago I had a skiing accident and spent time in the emergency room being treated for a very bad dislocated shoulder.  I was given a drug that should never be given following morphine, my breathing stopped.  During this time I experienced what I now know was a death experience.  I was in a place that I can only describe as peaceful and painless.  In the distance I saw my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and a Sister that was still born.  Also there was a friend who I had been with during his death.  It was a place that I did not want to return from.  A voice called out my name and said D. it is time to go back.  I was arguing with this voice and the voice said, I have something for you to do and you must go back.  From that moment on I had an inner peace and my life was changed.  I changed careers and became an Instructor of Business classes at a local business college and now an ordained Minister and  Pastor of a small Church.

The one thing that I didn't have to do in studying this course was to have a shift in thinking to benefit from this material.  If everyone who takes this course does it with an open mind and can come away with an inner peace, they will surely benefit themselves and those that they serve in their ministry.  They will begin to create miracles when they share the love.

For the season of Advent this year I choose a four week series on "Imagine Peace."  Of course everyone in the Church thought it would be a series on peace in the world.  Yes, that is the overall purpose of this series but peace begins within.  Rev. Loretta's course offers so much material on how this peace can be achieved by putting ones self in a miraculous state of mind, as she states in the beginning of Lesson 6.

As I stated above I had some circumstances that developed as I was finishing the course and wasn't able to write the essay immediately and just now getting the essay written.  The material in this course was a great help in approaching a very difficult task.  It was only through meditation and approaching the decision through love and forgiveness that I was able to handle this situation.  Thank Rev. Loretta.

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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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Religious Philosophy

Religious Philosophy                                                                                                                  11/30/2009 Lesson 9 ~ Religious Expressions Questions: Q.1.) Consider your own religious path. What stories are told that serve to enlighten and educate? In other words, what stories are mythical? Answer: As I studied and searched the New Testament, I found this question to be very challenging in order to seek out a statement in Christ's own words that fit the question asked. In return for my effort the lord and the Holy Spirit led me to Matthew, Ch. 5. Verse 3 ~ 16; The B- attitudes, as well as the proceeding verses. (Mythical) in the since that something good comes from what may appear bad. (Mythical) is the promise that is perceived for a devotion to such an idea or perception when put into action as a life style. (Mythical) is the faith that must be endured to achieve such reward. Q.2.) Are any of these myths thought to be actual historical events? Is that important? Would it matter if it was proven that they didn't really happen? Answer:  2a. thought to be historical (Yes) many were supposedly present when Christ gave this inspirational talk. 2b. it is only important to those who hear and through faith, act on it with their whole self being. 2c. I don't feel that it would matter to the faithful, because it is such a strong moral and ethical behavior that it implies as to (how to live) one's life. Q.3.) Can you think of a non-religious myth? Perhaps political, or economic, or ethnic. What is the telling of this myth trying to convey? Answer: A political experience that had a profound religious effect and yet there are those, liken to the Holocaust, say it did not happen or that it was a conspiracy of the government. I am referring to the events of (9/11/2001) that took place in a historical content, but however, due to attitudes since the event have taken on a more self-centeredness perception of the event. The final outcome as to the actions taken will not be settled for years to come. One might even say that it is also true that it too is a day that will live infamy. Q.4.) The Yoruba religion of West Africa tells the religious myth of a fawn named Nala who goes to the water hole at night to get a drink. When she arrives, a hyena corners her and threatens to eat her. Nala points out that she is small, and would never be enough to satisfy the ravenous hyena. She then points out a large wedge of cheese floating in the waterhole that would clearly satisfy him. The hyena dives into the water to get the cheese, and Nala quickly scampers off to safety. However, the hyena quickly discovers that the "cheese" Nala pointed out turns out to be the reflection of the moon on the water. What do you believe is the ethical message that this religious myth is conveying? Answer: In a weird way of looking at this story I noticed a hidden message that would suggest that it is ok to "deceive" in order to save one's life. That it is ok to manipulate the niveness of individuals that might be gullible and or lack significant knowledge to discern a situation. However, on the other hand the message or story conveys an insight to the mental psyche to the perception of survival and the circumstances of the environment may be used to one's advantage. When I look at this story from the point of view of the "hyena", I feel that not only was the hyena possible thinking how lucky the little "fawn" was, but also how foolish he must have felt being duped to such a trick. From a Christian point of view I see the "fawn" as being a new Christian in the faith and as a meek or childlike / young individual, yet wise enough and carnal enough to pull off such a deception and that the "hyena", signifies "Satan", and how nice it would be to be able to pull one over on him and escape unharmed. Yet, the ethical message is lost here because of its deception in the way it conveys the outcome. I recon the best thing the "fawn" could have done is to be patient and wait until daylight or have other fawns go to the watering hole, because there is a general since of safety in numbers. ******************************* 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. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Chaplaincy Program

It may be a surprise to some that I very little experience with chaplains.  For 6 years that I was in the US Navy as a flight crew member I never saw a Chaplain.  This includes Vietnam.  They always seem to hang out with the flight officer, but never saw the enlisted.  This maybe because that the war didn't attract many into the military chaplains.  After 6 years in and 3000 flight hours, there were times in which I could have used one. I am current a Chaplain in the American Legion.  Opening and closing meeting with a prayer, doing military funerals, and counseling veterans in PTSD .  I am taking it very seriously.  I have seen them working with the Fire and Police departments, but my belief is that I have to go where God is leading me.  (I hope its first responders) By Rev. Arthur Strauss ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

A Course in Miracles

I have so loved this course and have truly hate to see these lessons come to an end.  These courses have been very life changing to me.  They have so transformed my ways of thinking in all areas of my life. I have totally loved coming to the understanding of how to judge what truth is and seeing life from the perspective of all being an illusion created by our thoughts.  This is very powerful once you grasp it,  I love how this course teaches how to manifest miracles and make them a part of daily life.  Using attention and directed focus and intensity for the desires we have in life. I have found through this course that I am more conscious of my own thoughts and desires and making sure that they are grounded and rooted in truth and love instead of being based on fear,  This course brings great awareness to these things. Through it I have been able to change the way I look at my work and my relationships, all the areas of my life. I have the book a course in miracles but I am very glad that I was able to take this course because I think that it helps to grasp these concepts before reading it. I truly also loved the way that this course changes the perception of self imposed limits and being able to move above that to clearly see that there are no limits. The things I learned in this course have built in me new aspirations and hope as well as causing me to see those around me in an entirely different light. It is not something that you can just read and put behind you, it moves you to change in all areas of your life.  I am so thankful that this course was offered here and I know that it is no coincidence that I have found it. I find myself going back to them often for reference. Rev. Cindy Roskamp ******************************* 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. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Master of Religion

 

Master of Religion Program

Final Essay

Rev. Nick Federspiel

 

     Where did our Bible come from and which is the most accurate version of scripture and who speaks for Bible based doctrine?  Lesson 2 digs right into the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, to me also known as the ten basic commitments as recorded in variant text in Exodus and Deuteronomy.  Lesson 3 discusses the textual edits made by many to resolve the emerging church's diversity in "scripture" and doctrine not to mention politics.  Lesson 4 discusses the missing books which raises the question of how really objective was the canon process. 

     Collectively, is this inerrancy at its worst or inspired God breathed text at its best?  Of all the lessons these initial few are perhaps the most disorienting to a new (and perhaps previously protected) student to the Bible's heritage and Christian history.  Today scholars write book after book discussing just what language the Books of the Bible were written in: Akkadian, Old Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek – which was first, which is the oldest, which is the most accurate?  Does anybody have a clue what is what?  Then many compound the issue and degenerate into condemning the Bible as a whole!

     One truly has to wonder.  In researching issues the course brings to the surface, I went down the following thread, web site by web site including a few books altogether summarized tosses 2 Timothy 3:16 right out the window – for that matter taking 1 Timothy 3:16 with it.  Nineteenth century Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918) in Sources of the Pentateuch claims Moses had nothing to do with the first four books (viswjk.com).  That lead to the suggestion that the four Gospels were written from a master version called the "Q."  Exodus 34, the second set of tablets, was written by "J" c 848-722 B.C.E.  (re: relgioustolerances.org.)  Deuteronomy 5 was written by "D" c 622 BCE."  The Eastern Church considers Exodus 20:2 a preamble, and on and on it goes. 

     The Cave 4 Qs Gospel fragments, 25% in Aramaic we are told, date 1^st century A.D.  The Qs brings to the surface the whole concept of Biblical Criticism which starts with Moses authorship of the Pentateuch being "improbable" (jewishvertuallibrary.org). 

     Given the volumes of data from Biblical Archeology and the remarkable correspondence of the Qs with today's best translations a lot of Bible critics bite the dust.  It turns out all the reported text based bickering and confusion following the emergence of Christianity, under persecution during its initial centuries, created an extraordinarily homogenous message book.  Those today that persist with atheistic views based upon "differences" in this verse and that wastes our time and do the service of Satan by turning many away many thus confused from the word of God.  Many once curious about this new religion were simply mislead and misinformed by "experts." 

     The rubric theory says one of the 'two tablets' was the law and the other the obligations.  That same logic is extend to propose that Exodus is the law and Deuteronomy includes an extension and explanation of the moral obligations introduced in Exodus in regards to the Ten Commandments – which I tend to agree with.  Why?  Well, there is a lot more depth in Deuteronomy about laws, promises, instructions, duty, demands and teaching.  Thus, to me, Deuteronomy is a forty year project review in preparation for the departure of Moses and the assumption of command of Joshua.  It states what it means; and one to one correspondence with Exodus would be, simply, redundant.

     Unless a student has his faithful feet firmly planted on Holy foundations one might sway and slip and slide off the path as one wades through volumes of diverse opinions as to the purpose, cause and effect of Biblical history which is wrought with champions, martyrs, scribes, councils, Popes, Kings, priests, lay witnesses and persecutors; all with scribal pen in the ink well.  I am not a literalist when it comes to Bible interpretation so all this is academically very interesting, but the derivative attacks I concluded long ago were about as valuable as a stock broker's options and his worthless derivatives are today.  They both lead to bankruptcy, one moral and the other ethical and financial. 

I consider scripture to be God breathed, as if it were not in no way would the net result of 3000 years of editing from 600 B.C.E. to 2009 ever have produced a reasonably coherent document with a central theme of moral obligation and commitment, monotheism based upon the obvious, a Creator God, and the sacrifices representing Salvation sought by one Jesus Christ and bound it with one covering that within for all of us who read - be it as it may be an anthology of thought – ONE BOOK - with ten easy to understand rules.

Great course……

Thanks

Rev. Nick Federspiel

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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.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Four Gospels

Four Gospels Final Essay:                                         This particular study has helped to open further my eyes as to the actual history of the Bible and perhaps the early world. This study has a lot of references of early times which elude to the life of Christ both as a Man and a Religious Figure for those that choose that particular path.  This study also has many references to modern day events such as Courts proceedings, Organizations Foundational building etc. as many of these seem to use Bible material or similar to maintain their respective orders. This has caused a bit of friction among the Minions of the World as sometimes there may be a "if you don't believe as I believe" mentality going on however it is an important building block none the less.  I suggest that the Four Gospels of which Five were actually mentioned and historical events put into place to begin to explain modern world, is a really nice way for someone to be able to understand both Old and New World History and also to be able to make sense of ones own existence.  This was and shall be a wonderful study for myself and I would Highly recommend it to others weather in the Seminary Degree program or not as it gives Great references to read.  Many different styles of writing have been used here as well from poetic to straight talk to very old world. These styles have lead us upon a path of many different genres as well. As stated before a lot of history has been discussed in these books and they are not all completely merely fictional religious books as some folks believe the Bible to be a great work of fiction, there are factual references to the world as we know it from a Geographical standpoint at the least within the pages of these works.  There is also some references to works such as belief that what you see is what you get type of stories as well as many different works of interest to many folks out there.  I suggest that one should just pick up a Bible and read as well as get the study guide of The Unvarnished Gospels then they themselves see or experience rather a neat chapter of our lives.  Thanks for reading this final Essay and I look forward to the Degree Card as well as the other courses I'm taking.  As Ever I bid you all to Please Take Care and Be Well,                                                                                  Blessings,                                                                                                   Pastor Leo Merchant ******************************* 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. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Kind Words

Appreciation for ULC Seminary Hi Amy, You have not heard from me personally since I became a minister in Dec '07, as I've been occupied with discovering what sort of minister I am. Having studied psychology through the Divinary arts, and later on I stumbled across Huna psychology, and the Secret Science Behind Miracles - By Max Freedom Long, and The Master Key System -By Charles Haanel, and then a few months later I viewed the Secret. Incidentally Huna means secret, and Kahuna (Priest) means Keeper of the Secret. And the journey continues to unfold. I've discovered that I am not attracted to Marrying people to each other, but to the different parts of themselves e.g. Conscious Mind with Subconscious Mind with High Self. Living I've discovered is all about allowing the joy to flow through your life. Realizing that it's all about you in your universe, and that everyone around you are only reflections of you ... and the more you clear your inner clutter and the more you let in the light the better it gets for you and everyone around you. The main reason I'm writing is to tell you that I think you have been doing a fantastic job, and I appreciate you and feel your energy coming through. I'm mighty proud of my church, and am so thankful that I was guided one month exactly after the passing of my grandmother, to be ordained into your church - definitely a defining moment in my life.  Amy, may you receive an overflowing of blessings in every moment, and know that you are loved and appreciated by me here in New Zealand.    Rev. Page  *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Christian Religion

Christian Religion Reflections Master of Religion Course   Lesson 5     Comments Rev. Derek Kemp I found this lesson very interesting in that it related the Bible to the world around us showing its relevance to our daily lives. Many people feel that the Bible has no relation to our present existence, feeling that it is out of touch with modern thought.  The content of this lesson proves otherwise when we see the Bible pre-empting modern occurrences. To date the Creation from the Bible, we find that it gives a date of only a few thousand years before the birth of Christ, and this makes people doubt the Bible when science, for all its faults, has proved that the world is millions of years old.  But is this really against the Bible? I believe that the story of the Creation given in the first chapter of Genesis is an attempt by the Jewish religious leaders of the day to provide a background and reason for the beginning of creation. Naturally, they did not have the knowledge that we have today so a plausible (at that time) story was made up to fit the known facts and characters of the religion. As I understand it, science claims that the world was formed by what is termed 'the Big Bang'. Could this not be God's way of creation?  The fact that it was millions of years ago to us, surely matters not to God to whom a thousand years is but as yesterday! Having created the earth, He proceeded to populate it with plants, animals, birds etc in His own good time. Eventually, He made human beings as the culmination of His work, who were in is image in that they were given intelligence and self-will to run the world as they wished.  With all the beauty and majesty of the earth around us, who can doubt the work of a master planner? By Rev. Derek Kemp ******************** 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 catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Prayer

A Prayer for the People in Texas Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God's world by accident. God doesn't make mistakes These words are the cornerstone of my belief system.  They come from my 'other' bible, the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.  These words are the inspiration for my personal recovery, both physically and spiritually.  It's difficult to apply these words to yesterday's horror in Texas, however.  I spent some time in the armed services and went through combat in Viet Nam.  I can understand the need to take lives to protect one's self and those whose lives are entrusted to you.  I can understand police activity that involves the use of deadly force in order to "protect the domestic tranquility".   I understand that this is part of the world in which we live and I trust that these actions are all part of a plan, the nature of which I do not have the need or ability to know.  What I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around this morning, is the purpose in the killings and wounding of unarmed people who were waiting in line to defend me and our country.  I'm having difficulty accepting this terror as part of a plan of my loving, benevolent God.  It all seems so senseless. It's things like this that really test my faith in God and His plan.  I have to fight off the instinct to demand explanations and insist that this horror make sense.  I truly have difficulty letting God take care of His world and my part in it.  What I have to remember is that I'm understanding exactly everything I'm supposed to at this     time.  I'm exactly where I am supposed to be right now. I'm who I am meant to be, right now.  There is a purpose. There is a plan. And there is no reason to believe that anything is not precisely as it is supposed to be in God's world.  Dear God, thank you for granting me ignorance of Your wisdom, the gift of pain and grief, and the benefit of Your love.  I trust You , absolutely.  I ask that You provide these victims and those around them only that ignorance, pain and grief, and love they are able to benefit from.  May the teaching of Jesus the Nazarene guide us through these next few days. Amen. *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Metaphysical Healing

Rev. Dr. Alexandria

Assignment: Research on Different Types of Healing Practices Utilized in Uganda

Metaphysical Healing Course

Pharmaceutical Medicine

In Uganda, pharmaceutical is the mostly commonly accepted form of treatment for healing despite the fact hat it is in a crucial need of repairing, and healing due to the shortage of medicines and quality health care services is extremely limited.  However, who can afford medical services and medicines are in great danger of suffering from the negative effects of being overmedicated. 

African Traditional Medicine

African traditional medicine is the second most common healing practice utilized in Uganda. In African especially among those in rural areas where few clinics are available, most people utilize some form of traditional medicine as a form of healing. African traditional medicine includes treating illnesses by using medicinal plants and other materia medica.  Regular laypersons, diviners, medicine men, witch doctors, and sorcerers can administer such cures.

Ethno Medicine

 Following closely behind African Traditional Medicine and at one time ahead of both the pharmaceutical and traditional medicines was ethno-medicine or folk medicines.  This practice has diminished because of people migrating to larger city areas, away from the elders who possess such wisdom. This includes the practice of utilizing home remedies to cure diseases, based on the common knowledge of the healing properties of plants. Such information is usually passed down from generation to generation.  In ethno-medicine in particular, if there are people in communities who practice such healing forms, it may sometimes accompany mystical or magical rituals before the application of herbal therapy.

Laying-on-of-Hands

Due to the influence of colonial and post-colonial religious practices, the laying-on-of- hands in the Christian religion has become more widespread, and has contributed to the declining practice of Ethno Medicine and Traditional African medicine practices. This practice involves placing the hands of the healer upon the person to be cured with the intent of spiritual energetic healing. However, this practice exists among the non-catholic protestant Christians.

Sorcery

This practice exist to a lesser degree than the above healing modalities, due to the post-colonial practices that continue to exist among the majority population in Uganda. It consists of employing the assistance of the ancestors to employ their power to control negative spirits who are seen as the cause of the illness.  The ancestors assist the healing in gaining power over the negative spirits to bring about a cure in the patient, which is seen as exercising supernatural powers.

Reflexology

This recent healing practiced is influenced by the Chinese culture. It involves the application of acupressure on the feet, especially on the point that corresponds to the organ or body part, in distress and in need of healing.  This modality is most utilized in the larger city areas among the more affluent.

Colon Therapy

Being a more recent practice it is utilized as a healing modality to cleanse the colon from toxins that have accumulated in the body, it too existing among the more elite populous.

Assignment 1: Answering Questions Posed by Potential Client

Dear Mrs. Bonera;

We are pleased to address the concerns your have regarding the treatments we offer towards, your healing process. We hope we have addressed all your concerns and that we will be able to work together towards your recover process.

1. What is spiritual healing? Spiritual healing is the practice of utilizing mysticism, spirits, in the form of healing to heal and restore balance to the body.
2. Will the treatment ease pain and how does it work? Yes, it will ease and eliminate the pain, by dealing with the direct cause of the pain. Doctors over the years have admitted that over 70% of all illnesses are caused psychologically. This means that the brain is cause or center of the pain that is then sent out into different areas of the body. This means there is a form of negative energy that has been transmitted to the body, and it can be balance, hence erased by sending out positive energy to neutralize its painful effects.
3. Do I have to believe in God to make it work? No, faith is not a requirement on your part to make it work. What is required is for the practitioner to have the skills and ability and transfer it to you. Belief in the power of your body to heal itself will however benefit and assist the healing process.
4. Will it be lots of mumbo jumbo for the healing to work? No, it will be a simple process of transferring energy to the effected area, and to other parts of the body, in addition to you drinking water to flush the toxins out of your body.
5. Can you guarantee me a cure? We do not guarantee you a cure, however we are here to assist you and your body in healing itself.
6. Can I stop medication and chemotherapy if you are treating me? No, we do not recommend you stop taking your medication or other treatments prescribed by the doctor. We see our healing modality as a way to assist and potentially speed up the body's process towards recovery from the illness.
7. How much is this going to cost? It depends on what arrangements we can make based on your availability of resources.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to address them to us. We wish you wellness, health and prosperity.

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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 Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Mystical Christianity

Universal Life Church

Mystical Christianity / Lesson 21:

1. The prophet Joel offers more than the promise of peace to a contrite people. He begins with the vision of classical Biblical famine where the locust is king in all of its monstrous evolutionary forms. To me (Joel was not the 1^st to use that powerful insect symbol) the prophet's imagery illustrates the spiritual development of mankind towards his mystical beginnings. When all is stripped away and men stand afraid, tottering at the brink, looking down into the void, he is now free to dream, prophecy, and is indeed ready to be saved. He (or she) will in turn be ready and willing, armed with the capabilities to save their earthly home and its godly essence. Go back to God! Take everyone and everything relevant (to you) with you even if you must stare into the nothingness which mankind without our Creator has managed to sanctify. Joel's vision of Salvation is clear. God is in you. Use His power – His creative power to heal yourselves and this earthly plane. We are all subject to different slaveries. With God's help to develop our inner strength, we can cast away our chains. Sometimes, we have the feeling that it is the chains that keep us from falling when in actuality, they keep us from FLYING. (I sure went off on a tangent with that question! I couldn't help myself.)

2. When the mystic declares that he is in the world but not a part of the world- that is the Christian's journey – strangers in a foreign land. We all have our obligations to secularism but inside of ourselves, we will discover a path of re-creation: the journey back to Paradise( but then again- perhaps it's always been there.)

3. My challenge is self-discipline. Meditation (I'm a highly distractible person) step by step (through all of my impatience) I may be able to achieve that coveted meditative state. I now live in a large, extended family- a much beloved family but privacy went by the wayside the minute we all moved in together. My adult son, his wife and children have had to put up with my rudimentary Christian studies while they pursue their varied spiritual paths. We do not argue about religion even when Asatru (heathen Germanic faith) and Jesus clash. I have learned and they have learned. I also have to try to remember what it was like to be a struggling young parent with teenagers. These experiences are good for all of us but our adjustment to each other's "everything" is on-going. Meditation? There is no closet to hide in and we are down to one family car (can't hide in there either). I laugh at the thought of finding "alone-time" in the family vehicle when teenagers, dogs and cats are probably in there trying to get away from each other and ME! It just will never happen. If I had the discipline, I would be meditating right now. It is something I look forward to. I'll try again in a few weeks when things calm down.

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Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Master of Religion

Master of Religion - Lesson 4   Lost Scriptures a)    The Jews removed a total of 16 books from the Scriptures and produced for themselves what they considered was the complete Scripture. The Lutherans removed 7 books from the Bible which now do not appear in our Bibles but are retained in the Catholic Bible. Between AD 350 and 400 the Roman Christians discarded the ones written in Greek. b)    The reasoning behind the above was in each case to support their own faith. The Jews did not want any mention of Jesus or his work and preferred to retain the rather vague prophecy of a Messiah yet to come. They also discarded some books by discrimination against some of the writers on the grounds of their status in Jewish society. In some cases rearrangements of the books has taken place and some books have even disappeared. The Lutherans removed the 7 books as they felt they were opposed to Lutheran doctrine. The Roman Christians dispensed with Greek books thus making up the Catholic Old and New Testaments as they are at present. *******************************   The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.  Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.     Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Remember the Holocaust

Subject: Fw: IRENA SENDLER IS DEAD   We must never forget . . . . .      The prize doesn't always go to the most deserving   Irena Sendler There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena. During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the WarsawGhetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an 'ulterior motive' ... She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews, (being German.) Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids..) She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted. Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize ... She was not selected.   Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming.     Powerful message, especially the "cartoon."  Let us never forget! 63 years later In  MEMORIAM  - 63 YEARS LATER Please read the little cartoon carefully, it's powerful. Then read the comments   at the end.   I'm doing my small part by forwarding this message. I hope you'll consider   doing the same. In Memoriam  It is now more  than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended This e-mail is  being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the  six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10  million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests  who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned,  starved and humiliated with the German and Russian Peoples looking the other  way!  Now, more than ever, with Iraq , Iran , and others, claiming the Holocaust to  be 'a myth,' it's imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.  This  e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide!  Join us and be a link in the  memorial chain and help us distribute it around  the world.  Please send this e-mail to people you know and ask them to continue  the memorial chain.. Try our new free toolbar at: http://ULCSeminary.OurToolbar.com/