Universal Life Church

Today, we celebrate the union of, Tearese Bomar and Shamera Page in Scott County, Iowa. The wedding was officiated by ULC minister, Rev. Mary Patricia Bay.

The announcement was initially published in the Quad City Times.

Tearese and Shamera have been together for three years, and have planned to wed for two and a half. When the Iowa State Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriages nearly one month ago, the couple sized their opportunity.

Shamera said she was speechless following the ceremony. As their mothers signed some of the paperwork, the couple slipped away for a quiet moment together. They laughed during the ceremony but cried tears of joy afterward.

(QCT)

Congratulations Tearese and Shamera!

- Quad City Times

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What Would Jesus Do?
A Note To Our Christian Friends In Regard to the Current ULC Monastery’s Legal Defense Campaign

“The Universal Life Church Monastery recently announced a legal defense campaign that will take action in all states that have enacted unconstitutional same-sex sacramental marriage restraints. The Universal Life Church Monastery reports that “States that deny ministers the religious right to perform the sacrament of marriage, regardless of the couple’s sexual orientation, do so in violation of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.”
April 15, 2009

This proclamation is meant for the Universal Life Church Monastery’s Christian ministers, friends & visitors. Its aim is to respectfully address a strong & respected population of peoples. It has specific hopes to answer the Christians query as to how they might reconcile their own moral values, based on their Christian beliefs, while simultaneously supporting the ULC Monastery’s recent Same-Sex Sacramental Marriage campaign. In summation, this campaign seeks to protect, on a state level, the right of ULC ministers & all ministers for that matter, to officiate over same-sex Marriages. In a way what is addressed here may be quite a daunting pill to swallow. Some will agree with the thoughts herein; while others may find themselves in strong opposition.

All have such rights.

I assert & challenge each of you to consider that Christians can and should support this cause. This Same-Sex Sacramental Marriage campaign issue is not about changing one’s believe systems or compromising Christ based moral imperatives. It is about reflecting accurately the One whom we as Christians claim to represent – Christ himself. As Christians we are required to not simply regurgitate Christ’s message of unity, complete love, & tolerance; while our lives and behaviors toward our fellow man reflect differently. Our active lives; what the scripture’s refer to as “fruit,” should be a reflection of both the word & the active ministry of Jesus Christ.

Christ himself did not agree with all things. In fact, he was the ultimate rebel. There was much that he saw in the world around him & in people themselves of which he disdained. He witnessed the meshing political marriage between Church & State and hated it. He saw through the hypocrisy of the pharisees & religious leaders of the day and spoke against it. He observed the alienation & oppression of those considered “outcasts,” and he welcomed them. He forgave prostitutes. He told a tale that anyone, regardless of what they had done, could return Home.

His supper table included all.

Does this mean that Christ approved of all – No. But one of the most daunting tenets of Christ himself was his support of the freedom of each person to choose. Some call it free will. Indeed, there were certain rights and wrongs in God’s Law. Christ did not mince words when it came to telling the people of his day about them. But have you ever noticed that Christ never forced His will or his Father’s will on anyone?

This brings us to the current ULC legal defense campaign. Christians, this is not about agreeing with same-sex marriage. It is about ensuring the equal rights, as guaranteed under the 1st Amendment & under God, of all peoples; regardless of gender, race, sexual identity and/or preference to freely practice individual lifestyles free of hate, prejudice & oppression. Further, it protects the separation between Church & State, granting ministers of ANY denomination the right to practice under the tenets & beliefs of their individual Church; free of governmental interference.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Is this contrary to our beliefs as Christians? I think not… not if we separate ourselves from our emotions or individual beliefs & think as Christ thought – on a Global, larger scale.

Our job as Christians is to ensure that individual rights & freedoms here in the United States & abroad are protected & respected. This is in fact a large part of what we were founded upon as a nation. We don’t have to agree with everyone & well we shouldn’t. We don’t have to support or agree with same-sex marriage. But we do have to agree with the right of an individual to agree with and support it; free of prejudice & hate, judgment or discrimination. Furthermore, we are required under the Law of the Land & under God to defend the constitutional God given right of individuals, working under any denomination, to perform same-sex marriage sacraments. Christ never forced his will upon anyone. And he certainly did not support the Law ruling over personal freedoms. We are to respect & obey the law, but be ruled by a higher force…

Here in the United States, regardless of an individuals beliefs or personal preferences, the State is not to be allowed to infringe on the individual. Our citizens own spiritual beliefs & actions stemming from those beliefs; is a business between them, God and the religious institution they affiliate with. Christian friends, believe it or not – this means ALL churches, ALL faiths & ALL ministers of such churches & their congregants.

We at the Universal Life Church believe in “Doing That Which Is Right.” This has been the bedrock of who we are since Reverend Hensley’s day. This does not mean that there are no moral imperatives. We recognize that there are. What are they? The rights of individuals to find God on their own terms, the rights of individuals to believe what they want & to form their own unions based on that belief regardless of whether an individual agrees or not & the right of all to seek their own slice of happiness here on earth.

The individual rights of ministers to perform same sex marriages; as well as the rights of individuals to marry someone of the same sex, is NOT a State defined issue. It is a personal issue; one which Christians themselves must protect. Christians may not agree with a particular individuals choices but they are biblically required to support & defend & love all God’s children, not just those “perfect,” “sinless” ones of us. For as Christ challenged: “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone…”

In closing, allow me to leave you with a final thought. We live in a tumultuous world, one that is far more divided then it is united. Our children are leaving the Church, and Christ because of the hypocrisy they see in us their leaders. In the United States alone approximately 70% of people do not go to church at all. Within our “Christian” family, we separate ourselves in the over 3,000 different denominations – All claiming to represent Christ. We kill each other all over the world in the name of God. Outside the very front doors of our churches we place the homeless, or deviant; while we comfortably drink our lattes and sit in the front pew. Isn’t it time we united? What does the world see of this man called Christ and the people who stand as ambassadors for him? Do they see love, unity, acceptance of free will & the individual even if they are different?

I’ll leave you to answer that….

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A judge in Iowa has decided to stop performing marriages in reaction to the recent supreme court same-sex marriage ruling. On April 3rd, the Iowa State Supreme Court upheld the ruling of a lower court, allowing same-sex couples to legally wed.

Discrimination laws in Iowa bar judges from refusing to perform only same-sex marriages. That means Third District Magistrate Francis Honrath of Larchwood will have to abstain from performing any marriages.

Iowa law allows judges and other public officials to opt out of performing all marriages but forbids them from refraining only from same-sex nuptials…

Lucky for Iowans — and all Americans — the Universal Life Church offers free, online ordination so prospective ministers can marry their friends.

(Guardian)

Go forth ministers, it is your right!

- Guardian News
- Des Moines Register

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Recently a young male elephant named Ninio was purchased for the zoo in Poznan- a city in western Poland. After keen observation by the zoo attendants it was surmised that the elephant displayed “homosexual tendencies”. Ninios’ behavior was passive and friendly towards male elephants and aggressive or indifferent towards females. The verdict according to the head of the Poznan zoo was that Ninio “will probably not procreate”. When the information was leaked to the press, Michal Grzes, a conservative Polish councilor and member of the right-wing opposition Law and Justice Party was quoted as saying, “We didn’t pay 37 million zlotys (about $1,470,000. US dollars) for the largest elephant house in Europe to have a gay elephant live there! We were supposed to have a herd, but as Ninio prefers male friends over females how will he produce offspring?”

I can almost hear the Christian fundamentalists wringing their hands and rending their garments whilst decrying “It’s Horton and Henrietta not Horton and Dumbo”, (or something to that effect) as they look plaintively towards heaven. Did Dante forget to mention that part of hell where all gay animals are burning (or barbequing) for all eternity? What a racket that would be! Little did the Christian right know what a noisy place hell will be for sinners great and small…

Joking aside, and to be fair, Ninio is still quite young (10 years old) and won’t actually be considered a sexually mature elephant till he reaches the age of 14. Perhaps little Ninio is just going through his “elephant girls have cooties” phase. And if so there’s a 50/50 chance he could actually end up being ‘straight”. And to the delight of the Poznan zoo, the father of a handsome herd of elephants. And if, you know… Ninio might actually turn out to be gay, there’s always artificial means for him to procreate (infertile straight people have been using this method for years).

Perhaps Councilor Michal Grzes lamentation stemmed more from the potential lack of procreation on the part of Ninio than from anti-gay sentiment- but his statement does bring to the forefront the concept that homosexuality does exist, and is quite common in nature. And Ninio, albeit unwittingly, has given a “gay” face to all non-straight creatures in the Animal Kingdom… Thanks Ninio- we hope you find a boyfriend!

~Martyn Valenzuela

Sources:
- http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/polish-politician-attacks-gay-elephant/seen-this/
- http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUKTRE53910G20090410

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With the advent of 18th Century enlightenment the sciences have slowly began to unravel the mysteries of our universe- and particularly that of the animal kingdom. Fast forward to the 21st Century and we can now irrevocably concur that homosexuality is a common and widespread phenomenon in the animal world.

Various scientific study groups have theorized that homosexuality probably occurs across the whole Animal Kingdom. And homosexual behavior is most common in the larger animal species where there exists distinct male and female differentiation. This male and female differentiation has made it easier for scientists to recognize homosexual behavior and document it.

In October of 2006 The Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo, opened the first-ever museum exhibition devoted to gay animals. The exhibit featured more than 1500 species where homosexual behavior has been observed. The museum attendees were confronted, through photos, texts, models and specimens with the little known gay life of animals- a whole colorful array of queer animal life was exposed for the scrutiny of a curious public. According to the Oslo Natural History Museum the exhibits main purpose was to display “a greater understanding of how extensive and common this behavior is among animals…At least, we hope to reject the… argument that homosexual behavior is a crime against nature”.

As “animal porn” as it may sound, the exhibition included photographs of one male giraffe mounting another, Two male shelducks, mating, various primates in the act of same sex mutual masturbation, and even two aroused male Killer whales rubbing against each other- in addition to many other eyebrow raising examples.

Other installations in the exhibit showcased incidents where male bird couples will fertilize and hatch eggs that have been “donated” via a “one night stand” by a female bird of the same species. Some “gay” bird couples known to successfully raise offspring in this manner include; swans, Geese, Penguins, ducks and seagulls. In a documented case of pink flamingos: “two males can hold a much larger territory than a male/female flamingo pair, thus more chicks can grow up”.

In the Animal Kingdom, not only do short-lived gay sexual relationships occur, but even long-lasting partnerships; partnerships that bring forth offspring, and more surprising, partnerships that last the animals lifetime. In some cases the entire species is bisexual.

So why is the argument, “homosexuality is a crime against nature” still a valid one?

The term “Crime against Nature” was first coined by the Church Council of Nablus in 1120 AD. During the Renaissance this term was incorporated into the laws of most European countries and has been used to this day in the widespread oppression of homosexuals. Truth be told, the term never originated in the bible, and based on what we know about the nature of the animal kingdom it is an outdated and ignorant argument. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good… Genesis 1:31

~Martyn Valenzuela

Sources:
- http://www.news-medical.net/?id=20718
- http://www.nhm.uio.no/besokende/skiftende-utstillinger/againstnature/index-eng.html
- http://www.nhm.uio.no/besokende/skiftende-utstillinger/againstnature/animal_human.html

BOOKS:
• Bagemihl, B. 1999. Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity. St. Martin’s Press. 752 pp.
• de Waal, F. 1997. Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape. University of California Press, Berkeley.
• de Waal, F. M. B. & R. Ren (1988): Peacemaking among Primates. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Massachusetts).
• Roughgarden, J. 2004. Evolution’s Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People. University of California Press. Berkeley CA. 474 pp
• Sommer, V & P. L Vasey (2006): Homosexual Behaviour in Animals, An Evolutionary Perspective. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

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On Saturday April 18th, Alison Elizabeth Geraghty and Andrew William Bethke were wed on Captiva Island, Florida. The wedding was officiated by ULC minister, Rev. Robert D. Mitchell.

The announcement was initially published in the New York Times.

The couple met in their senior year in high school when they studied Shakespeare in London and Paris. After a kiss in London, they dated their in their last year in high school. As they went off to college they remained good friends.

They dated other people but at “the end of the night,” even at a distance, Ms. Geraghty said, “they were always the ones they called.”

(NYT)

Congratulations Alison and Andrew!

And for the ministers out there: whether you’re officiating in New York City or Captiva Island, Florida, know that the Universal Life Church Monastery stands behind your credentials. Our ordinations are recognized nationwide.

-New York Times

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The Box Turtle Bulletin, a blog covering news associated with anti-gay rhetoric, has taken notice of our same-sex marriage defense campaign. You can read our press release here.

For the most part, the ULC has been non-political, entering into the fray only when the rights of their ministers or ministry have been challenged. But now the ULC has a cause that they believe is worth fighting for: you.

(BTB)

That’s right, we want you to be able to freely practice your religious beliefs. We have long held that as it harms none, do as though wilt. To officiate a same-sex marriage in accordance with your religious beliefs is your right. The first amendment guarantees your religious rights with the free exercise clause, and the non-establishment clause bars any government entity from abridging your rights.

We can’t tackle this issue on our own, but with the support of individuals like you, we can stop unjust and illegal government discrimination against same-sex marriage.

So I’ve been waiting for the day when a denomination would announce that they were going to court to sue for religious freedom. I just was kinda was hoping that it would be the United Methodists or the UCC rather than the church of mail-order ministers.

(BTB)

Sorry we’re not your first choice BTB, but we’re here for the long haul and ready for a fight!

-Box Turtle Bulletin

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The Universal Life Church Monastery today announced its legal defense campaign to take action in states that have enacted unconstitutional restraints against same-sex sacramental marriage. States that deny ministers their religious right to perform the sacrament of marriage, regardless of the couple’s sexual orientation, according to Universal Life Church Monastery, are doing so in violation of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) April 15, 2009 — The Universal Life Church Monastery (TheMonastery.org) has announced a legal defense campaign that will take action in all states that have enacted unconstitutional same-sex sacramental marriage restraints. The Universal Life Church Monastery reports that “States that deny ministers the religious right to perform the sacrament of marriage, regardless of the couple’s sexual orientation, do so in violation of the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.”

To investigate appropriate legal action supporting same-sex sacramental marriage, the Universal Life Church Monastery has retained two constitutional law firms, which include Arizona-based DeConcini McDonald Yetwin & Lacy, and Seattle-based Carney Badley Spellman.

As popular support for same-sex sacramental marriage continues to escalate, the Universal Life Church Monastery has observed a marked increase in its ministerial ordination requests. The Universal Life Church receives in excess of 500 ordination requests per day, attributing the increase to nationwide dissatisfaction with the intolerance of traditional religious dogma. Ministers who have joined the Universal Life Church have spoken in favor of its inclusive practices.

Reverend Aiyanna Looney of Oskaloosa, Iowa, a minister of the Universal Life Church Monastery for the past five years, explains her same-sex sacramental marriage beliefs to the Ottumwa Courier: “Starting as early as April 24 [2009, clergy members such as myself will finally be able to officiate legal marriages (religious and secular) for same-sex couples in the State of Iowa. As a Cleric with the Universal Life Church, my right to officiate the marriages of same sex couples, in accordance with my beliefs, is now a protected right by the State of Iowa.”

Looney adds, “I am a supporter of same-sex marriage, and I am willing to perform same-sex marriages because I see no difference between the racism I have experienced and the discrimination homosexuals have experienced stemming from Conservative Christian ideology. I am not white, my husband is, and I am in a mixed race marriage. I have been told [that my union [with my husband, Sam Looney, is sacrilegious and not recognized as marriage by several Conservative Christians. These people have used biblical passages such as Genesis 28:1, Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 7:3-4 to support their racist beliefs. However, I have a Certificate of Marriage [and marriage cannot be defined by racists.”

The Universal Life Church Monastery recognizes Looney’s right to perform the sacrament of marriage, and stands behind the constitutionally protected religious rights for all its ministers to perform ceremonies for any and all United States citizens.

The 20 Million strong Universal Life Church is the only denomination in the world that opens its doors to everyone, and welcomes all who ask to become an ordained minister. As a non-denominational, interfaith ministry, the Universal Life Church Monastery proclaims that God, Mother Nature or intelligent design created all beings intentionally; including gay animals and humans.

-PRweb

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Many may consider this blog to be controversial, blasphemous or misleading. Religion is controversial, but open discussion and the acknowledgment of other’s views and opinions will hopefully lead to a better understanding of one another.

Jesus was not a Christian, as most of us have found; he was a practicing Jew1. Christianity is believed to have begun several decades prior to the 4th Century AD; traced to the Eastern Mediterranean with its beginning, history shows it ultimately spread its teachings and influence throughout the region resulting in it becoming a dominant religion within the Roman Empire2. Where then, did our modern day beliefs come from and what are we to believe?

Modern day Romans, one of seven undisputed letters of St. Paul the Apostle, states that “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God3” and ensures that salvation can be found through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. History records that Paul was not “ashamed” of the said Gospel because it held power.

Romans 1:16-17

16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.

Would Jesus be a Christian based on the preceding statements and quotes and the way that his modern day followers live by and practice their faith? Jesus as depicted in the earliest writings of the gospels preached simple messages of love as the way to God and Heaven, rather than the atonement teachings that “You have to believe in Jesus to be saved. You have to repent for your sins and believe that He died on the cross for you to be saved and get into Heaven4.” Should we live our lives through atonement or rather the example set by Jesus before his death? Christian dogma must also be confronted by the fact that the Christian Bible is a “living” text whose manuscripts “reflect the distinctive beliefs of the individual Christian communities which read them5.”

Jesus proclaimed that the kingdom of God had come with His arrival, Matthew 12:28; Luke 4:21. “But you just have to read your daily newspaper to know that Jesus could not possibly have been the messiah. The kingdom of God is not here. For 2,000 years since Jesus’ coming, the genocides and rapes have not ended. Racism and poverty still flourish6.”

Final reflection: According to the 2009 American Religious Identification Survey, The percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 points in the past two decades. Much of the decline is attributed to data collected from New England which shows the biggest decline in faithful Christians. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, stated; “That really hit me hard, the Northwest was never as religious, never as congregationalized, as the Northeast, which was the foundation, the home base, of American religion. To lose New England struck me as momentous7.”

John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you8.

After all, “We’re all children of the same Universe.”

1 http://www.therefinersfire.org
2 http://en.wikipedia.org
3 http://www.biblegateway.com
4 http://www.happierabroad.com
5 http://www.bayofquinteconference.ca
6 http://www.chosunjournal.com
7 http://www.newsweek.com
8 http://www.geocities.com

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