Universal Life Church

… though Universal Life Church ordinations continue to climb.

A 2008 survey of the United States population identified a consistent decline in the number of ‘religious’ individuals; Americans that identify as non-religious now account for 15% of the population. When compared to past figures, these new findings appear even more dramatic: a 1990 survey found that only 7% of the US population identified as non-religious.

Meabh Fitzpatrick, 49, of Rutland, Vt., says she is upfront about becoming an atheist 10 years ago because “it’s important for us to be counted. I’m a taxpayer and a law-abiding citizen and an ethical person, and I don’t think people assume this about atheists.”

(USA T)

In addition to the rise of secularism, the number of new religions also continues to grow. Another recent survey found that 41% of people have switched religions in their lifetime. This figure is a double edged sword for many deep rooted faith organizations: on one hand, more people are exploring new forms of spirituality, though the growth of new religions is not possible without attrition from already established congregations.

Those that are faithful are staying faithful, and many Christians (currently 86% of the American population) are not worried by the statistics.

“We just look to Jesus,” [Tom Haynes] says. “That’s why I don’t pay attention to surveys. Christianity is moving totally under the radar. It’s the work of God. It can’t be measured. It happens inside of people’s souls.”

(USA T)

As an all inclusive, interfaith church, people are continually drawn to the humanitarian teachings of the ULC. Do that which is right, even to those with which you disagree.

- USA Today
- American Religious Identification Survey
- Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

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San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer, a transplant from Salt Lake City, intervened in the staging of a gay themed play at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic church in San Francisco’s Castro District, a March 9th SFWeekly.com article reported. This is the second time that the Archbishop has gained media publicity through the use of his religious authority, being remembered first for his involvement with Mormon church and their joint efforts in campaigning for Proposition 8.

The student’s play, which was pending a curtain date, had received much publicity in Catholic newsletters and blogs and had been highly anticipated by many people. The play had been adapted from Alex Sanchez’s, The God Box and follows the story of a small town boy named Paul who meets an openly gay christian his own age named Manuel; following Paul’s journey to seek truth and better understanding.

Niederauer was cited by Mormon officials as being the reason why the church became involved with the marriage-equality battle, leading to a nationwide contribution from the church of 20 million dollars to promote the measure, which is currently being reviewed for its constitutionality in court.

- Edge Boston
- SF Weekly

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Actor Bryan Cranston told all in a recent interview with the magazine Time Out New York. You may recognize him as Hal from Malcolm in the Middle, and you’ll find his name on our list of famous ULC ministers. Here he talks about his wedding ministry:

Time Out New York: I read that you were an ordained minister in college.
Bryan Cranston: In the Universal Life Church. I performed weddings.

TO: Really?
BC: I did about a dozen. I did one for a couple on a plane. I did one dressed as Elvis. I did one once in a bunny suit. The minimum wage back in 1974 was, like, $1.75. I was getting $150 per wedding, so I thought, Absolutely, sign me up!

TO: Sounds like a good way to make money for anyone getting laid off.
BC: There you go!

(TONY)

Become an ordained minister for free; the possibilities are endless.

- Time Out New York

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Prior to leaving office, the Bush Administration enacted a set of rules designed to protect the freedom of conscience for those working in the health care system. The rules allow for health care workers to refuse participation in abortions or other medical activities that contradict their religious beliefs. Passed in December, the law went into effect on January 20, the day of President Obama’s Inauguration.

The biggest controversy surrounding the rule is that applies prohibitive restrictions to health care organizations that receive government funding. Organizations that do accept taxpayer dollars will be barred from firing health professionals that refuse to perform abortions or offer referrals. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America took a firm stance against the new policy stating that, “the rule would make it hard for women to get legal services such as contraception and abortion counseling.”

The Obama administration has moved to revoke the new rule following a 30 day public comment period. The paradox we are left with is whether this will be a step forward or a step backwards for religious freedom.

- Pew Sitter
- Bloomberg.com

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On March 1st, the All Creatures Universal Life Church held their first Sunday service. They are now the only completely pet friendly church in the Detroit Metro area, and we are so glad to witness their achievement.

There are many churches that offer a day or ritual for the blessing of animals, but there are few churches that can claim to be a full spectrum animal ministry. Reverend Claudia Barber, the founder of All Creatures ULC, has created an environment in which both animals and people can worship together.

“My dogs go almost everywhere with me and I believe that pets, having such a special place in our lives, also deserve to be present at the most important time of our lives – in church,” says Barber. “Instead of just one day where pets are allowed, usually outside the actual church building, for a blessing, why not allow them to be part of every service?”

(WXYZ)

Rev. Barber has shown us that whether we are human or animal, we are all children of the same Universe.

Congratulations All Creatures ULC!

- WXYZ News Detroit
- All Creatures Universal Life Church

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To mark the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, the Vatican has sponsored a week long conference to explore a possible relationship between Catholicism and evolution. On a broader spectrum, the conference aims to examine barriers between faith and revolutionary scientific theory.

Cardinal William Levada, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the Catholic Church doesn’t stand in the way of scientific realities like evolution, saying there was a “wide spectrum of room” for belief in both the scientific basis for evolution and faith in God the creator.

(AP)

Examining past examples, the Vatican is taking a careful look at the history of Galileo’s work. The astronomer Galileo (1564 – 1642) was persecuted for his scientific theories by the Catholic Church, though he is now internationally renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries.

the Catholic Church never condemned Darwin, as it condemned and silenced Galileo…

[and in 1996] Pope John Paul II said that evolution was “more than a hypothesis”.

(BBC)

At the forefront of the conference will be the highly publicized debate between evolution and intelligent design. The church has never affirmed a position favoring one theory over the other, though they have stated that they do not regard intelligent design as a science.

To complicate the issue further, in 2005 Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, who has worked closely with Pope Benedict, publicly rejected evolution in favor of intelligent design.

In [a New York Times opinion] piece, Schoenborn seemed to reject traditional church teaching and backed instead intelligent design, the view that life is too complex to have developed through evolution alone, and that a higher power has had a hand in changes among species over time…

Vatican officials later made clear they did not believe intelligent design was science and that teaching it alongside evolutionary theory in school science classes only created confusion.

(AP)

We will look on with curiosity for the duration of this five day conference.

- Associated Press
- BBC

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