Universal Life Church

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by ahchem, May 19, 2001.

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  1. ahchem

    ahchem New Member

    I've read a number of posts here mentioning the Universal Life Church, I might add most of these posts were humorous in nature. I thought that for those of you who haven't heard of the ULC some of my insights might be interesting.

    The first thing you might be wondering is what interest would I have in this "less than wonderful institution". This "Church" is located about five blocks from my house. Well everytime I see ULC I just have to laugh to myself. I ride by it about four times a week when I'm out cycling and think to myself how nice it would be if it were that easy to get a real doctorate.

    Basically the way the place works is that you hand them some money (like $20) and have them type out your name on a piece of paper and just like that your a doctor of something or other. They also issue instant ordinations (which apparentely allow you to legally perform weddings in California and possibly other states). Absolutely no questions asked.

    About twenty years ago, a guy I know went over there to get his dog ordained as a minister and walked out with the appropriate papers, so I presume that the dog was able to perform marriages. They also have some really cool titles for their degrees, I have considered picking up a "Doctor of the Universe" for my dog. But that particular degree requires the reading of two books and a short test, so I'm not sure that my dog is up to it even though she is really smart. However, because there is some actual work involved in this degree the price is only $15. What a deal.

    They have been at this for a really long time and it appears that the IRS has given up on going after them for the time being. So they continue to operate.

    I actually stepped in to see what the place was like a few months ago. There were six or seven people working very hard processing forms, presumably issuing doctorates and ordinations. Considering how busy they were I wouldn't be surprised if they issued several hundred per day. You can do the math and figure out how much they are likely taking in, I am quite sure it is a great deal of money.

    The funiest part of my visit was the look of terror on their faces when I walked in with my two friends. I think they prefer to do business by mail. [​IMG] They very politely and carefully asked how they could help us, and completely waited for us to tell them what we wanted. Their words and interactions with us were extremely careful and precise, they have clearly dealt with attempts to sting them before and knew precisely what to say to keep themselves out of trouble.


    Just to be perfectly clear this is all completly true, this place operates just as I've described, even the dog ordination story is true, and I've got witnesses. [​IMG]

    Any comments or questions,

    Jeff, who earned both of his degrees and his teaching credential from RA schools, and would only purchase a doctorate for a member of his family if said member was his dog, who probably deserves a doctorate.
     
  2. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Thank you, Jeff, for sharing your experience with ULC. Indeed, ULC degrees are a joke, but what is amazing is that they are allowed to continue the practice.

    Since I serve as senior pastor of a local church, perhaps I too could begin to issue doctoral degrees from my church. Hmm, maybe the prestigous Doctor of Gullibility! [​IMG]

    Russell
     
  3. hworth

    hworth Member

    ULC's degree's may be a joke, but their ordinations are not. As a recognized church ULC clergy are regularly granted the authority to perform marriages, which can come in handy if you have non-religious friends who want a marriage ceremony outside of a courthouse. I used my ULC ordination to be registered to before legal marriages in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Missouri. I have 'performed' (signed the license) for a number of my friends who didn't want to hire a clergy-person. BTW, I got a D.D. from ULC which I only use when signing said licenses.

    Hworth
     
  4. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Russell wrote, "Since I serve as senior pastor of a local church, perhaps I too could begin to issue doctoral degrees from my church..

    This was exactly the sentiment expressed by the man who was then a dean at the University of California medical school in San Francisco, especially after reading in California magazine that Bishop Hensley, founder of ULC, was one of the 50 richest people in the state.

    This man started Mother Earth Church (aka American Fellowship Church) and made a very good living indeed. When last heard from, he was living by the ocean in Carmel. He had taken a vow of poverty, so the church owned his home, his ski cabin, his Mercedes, etc., and sent him on fact-finding missions to Cannes, Tahiti, and so forth.
     
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    And some wonder why the secular world often has little respect for organized religion.
    As in any profession (e.g., attorneys, physicians, educators, etc.) there are also some within ministry who are little more than frauds.

    But, thankfully, not all!

    Russell
     
  6. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Really?

    I went to ULC's website (5-19-01, 2:00 pm EST) and received ordination---for my dog! I'm serious guys!

    His name is Yittle, and I actually had to have him put to sleep in January. So he's been dead for four months.

    I simply went to the ULC website, typed in the requested data, and in less than 60 seconds printed off an ordination certificate stating the following:

    Universal Life Church
    Minister

    This is to certify that the bearer hereof "Reverend Yittle Morris" has been ordained this Saturday, May 19, 2001.

    Signed
    Bishop Kirby J. Hensley

    I guess in this scenario, D.D. takes on a new meaning--Dead Dog!

    Russell,
    Who post-humously had his dog ordained! [​IMG]
     
  7. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I agree with that. Back around 1970 I was living in a duplex in San Luis Obispo, and the guy in the front unit was a hippy graduate student/auto mechanic/ULC minister. He performed weddings for a number of friends of mine, the coolest, most beautiful and most spiritually-tuned weddings that I have ever seen, out at Montana de Oro state park overlooking the Pacific.

    I suppose that giving ordinations to all comers is questionable from some (many) theological perspectives, but it isn't ridiculous. Perhaps it's a comment on the idea of institutions trying to mediate between individuals and God. A statement that we are all ultimately our own spiritual directors.
     
  8. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    What's the first theological fact that every elementary-school child learns?

    Dog is God spelled backwards.

    Perhaps your departed dog's spirit is still ministering to you.
     
  9. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    Perhaps the ULC should offer Dogterates for the novelty degree customers and perhaps ordination in the Church of the Caninites.
     
  10. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Very cute! Even a little biblical humour [​IMG]

    North

    Perhaps the ULC should offer Dogterates for the novelty degree customers and perhaps ordination in the Church of the Caninites.[/B][/QUOTE]
     
  11. ahchem

    ahchem New Member


    You're absolutely correct. Their ordinations whether or not they are considered religiously legitimate, are in fact legal. I know a guy who was ordained by ULC and has performed a number of weddings. As another post mentioned similarly, these weddings were among the nicest and most spiritual I've ever attended. Go figure.
     
  12. ahchem

    ahchem New Member

    You know another amusing thing that they offer is to give you just about any title you want and a little card that says you have that title. There were maybe 150 diferrent titles on the list, like:

    Rabbi
    Bishop
    Saint
    Cardinal
    Duke/Dutchess

    Basically, any title available from any world religion, government, or kingdom. Truly amazing.
     
  13. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Recall that the "home office" of the ULC in Modesto, CA also sells franchises, so that you can (they say) operate your own church, with associated university, coming in under their legal umbrella. My sense is that some of these franchises have also grown very large in their own right, such as Progressive ULC in Sacramento.

    John Bear, who once got an
    American Fellowship Church ordination
    to perform the wedding of a friend at
    Stanford. His father, a Nobel laureate,
    and three other Nobel laureates were
    present. During our brief chats at the
    reception, they seemed incapable of
    understanding just what sort of minister
    I was. I later got Felix Bloch an ordination
    so that he might better understand, but I was told that he was not amused.
     

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