[Laminar]

I did a quick search and didn't see anything posted about this earlier. Apparently all it takes to become an ordained minister is a couple pieces of personal info. I guess I hadn't realized how simple that sort of thing was. So for those of you looking to get certified, here you go.

Universal Life Church | ULC

[Cold Warrior]

I doubt an organization with a serious theological and ordination program would recognize these guys as peers.

[Laminar]

As a newly ordained minister we offer our hands to you. We share respect, wealth, power and influence in the world through the power of heaven as you choose to believe. Your beliefs count in the ULC. We are all children of the same universe. All that we ask is for you promote the freedom of and from religion and to “Do that Which is Right.” It is up to each individual to determine what is right as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others and is within the law. The Monastery is the first, the most extensive, and the most often visited Universal Life Church Web site, worldwide.

Frankly, sometimes the law needs to be broken. There have been times when infringing upon the rights of others and the law conflict.

[Doofy]

Tax breaks, baby, tax breaks.

[subego]

Not with the ULC, but you can marry people if you fill out the paperwork with the state.

[Doofy]

Wait. So the US government is now deciding what is and what isn't a proper religion?

So much for the First.

[vmarks]

The Federal Government has been decided what is, and what is not, a proper religion for some time.

Scientology, for example, fought for years to become a proper religion in the eyes of the IRS.

That the Federal government acts out of compliance with the Constitution surprises you? Because that court decides what is and isn't Constitutional (since Congressmen are apparently unable to bother keeping their oath to uphold the Constitution) and the court seems to have not spoken on the matter, or declared that the IRS cannot proceed in the manner that it has, it is considered to be Constitutional - even when you and I can plainly see that it is not.

The correct means to correct this is to file suit against the IRS. Good luck with that, to anyone who tries - filing suit against people who take money and property with the threat of men with guns behind them isn't likely to be successful. Especially in a country where civil forfeiture (violation of the 4th amendment) is so commonly executed.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by vmarks 

That the Federal government acts out of compliance with the Constitution surprises you?

No, not at all.

I just like pointing it out at every available opportunity that Americans' treasured constitution isn't actually being followed. Maybe one day if enough people keep pointing it out then the sheeple will wake from their slumber and the USofA will become the country it was always supposed to be. You know, one where the constitution is actually followed.

(and before any American starts whining at me for pointing this sort of stuff out, yes I know my own country is the very definition of "corrupt, crappy dictatorship populated almost exclusively by worthless sheep". Yes, misanthropy is my fun new hobby.)

[design219]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Yes, misanthropy is my fun new hobby.

I used to think I liked you because of you sig, but deep down, I knew there was more to it.

[vmarks]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

(and before any American starts whining at me for pointing this sort of stuff out, yes I know my own country is the very definition of "corrupt, crappy dictatorship populated almost exclusively by worthless sheep". Yes, misanthropy is my fun new hobby.)

At least you have an excuse; you're a subject.

[olePigeon]

Hehe. A buddy of my mine was ordained by them.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Wait. So the US government is now deciding what is and what isn't a proper religion?

So much for the First.

That isn't technically a violation of the First Amendment. The Constitution just prohibits Congress from making a law supporting (or, implicitly, opposing) a religion — nobody said the government has to consider everything under the sun to be a religion.

Of course, if you want to talk about the tax breaks churches get once they are recognized as religions and the practice of government-sponsored marriage, then you might have a point.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Of course, if you want to talk about the tax breaks churches get once they are recognized as religions and the practice of government-sponsored marriage, then you might have a point.

Yeah, I hate that. If a religion wants to define marriage as only between a man and woman, fine; then don't marry gay people in your church/temple. But their religious rhetoric needs to stay out of civil rights. Two people who love each other and have been together for 30 years should be able to get married.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

That isn't technically a violation of the First Amendment. The Constitution just prohibits Congress from making a law supporting (or, implicitly, opposing) a religion — nobody said the government has to consider everything under the sun to be a religion.

If, tomorrow, a US citizen forms a religion which requires him to have 15 wives and carry a loaded M16 around with him at all times then bang, there goes your First.

Just sayin'.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Yeah, I hate that. If a religion wants to define marriage as only between a man and woman, fine; then don't marry gay people in your church/temple. But their religious rhetoric needs to stay out of civil rights. Two people who love each other and have been together for 30 years should be able to get married.

Wouldn't this require a different definition of "marriage"? Perhaps one by the government (and there's some murky waters, right there)? Or one by whatever religion it is you form which allows your required "marriage"?
I agree, of course - gay peeps should be allowed to be as miserable as the rest of us. But where's the definition coming from? And why can't it apply to polygyny?
And what's it got to do with the government anyways?

There's the main problem - governments not asking that question enough: "what's it got to do with us?".

[design219]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

And what's it got to do with the government anyways?

I'm not completely up on this issue, but I think it's the parts of marriage that the government has a say so in that is the problem. Like taxes, property rights, etc.

[smacintush]

Check my sig…

[Chongo]

Originally Posted by design219 

I used to think I liked you because of you sig, but deep down, I knew there was more to it.

[Chongo]

This must be where Owen Wilson's charecter was ordained in "Meet the Fockers"

[turtle777]

Please understand that there is no such thing as "instant online ordination." A computer cannot ordain you. Your request must be reviewed before your ordination can be done legally. You cannot be issued a credential automatically by a computer!

Become Ordained by the Universal Life Church



That's pretty darn funny, in light of them handing out ordinations to any- and everyone who wants it.

-t