The Universal Life Church ( ULC ) is a non-denominational religious organization founded on a simple doctrine, "Do what is right," and state that everyone has right (and responsibility answer) to determine what is right peacefully. Universal Life Church is a defender of religious freedom and offers official ordination to become a free minister. The ordination process states that anyone can become a minister by filling out a form that includes a legal name and a valid address to include in church records. The ordained priest is eligible to receive the ordination mandate which is a legal document.
Video Universal Life Church
Histori
The Church of Universal Life was established under the name "The Church of Life" in 1959 by Rev. Kirby J. Hensley, who first held services for the church outside his home garage. Disappointed with the Pentecostal church, Hensley decided to explore on his own to find his religion. After five years of studying various religions, Hensley concluded that "the right religion may be different for everyone, and everyone has the right to choose one's own religion, no one should be criticized or condemned for practicing one's beliefs." Hensley joined Universal Life Church with Co-Founder and then Vice President Lewis Ashmore in Modesto, California, on May 2, 1962. Hensley served as minister of the congregation and became President of the Board of Directors until his death on March 19, 1999. His wife Lida, was elected president of the church and held the post until his death on December 31, 2006.
On January 14, 2007, the ULC Board of Directors selected Hensley's son, Andre Hensley as President of the Church. Hensley previously held the position of Modesto Headquarters office manager.
In early 2009, ULC sent between 8,500 and 10,000 certificates of ordination each month. Between 1962 and 2008, it sent nearly 18 million worldwide.
Maps Universal Life Church
Legality
Since its inception, the Church of Universal Life has experienced legal conflicts on issues such as the validity of ordination and tax-exempt status of the organization. In 1964 the case of Universal Life Church Inc. vs. United States of America , the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California ruled that the Court will not "praise or condemn any religion, however good or implied by fanatical or senseless," as "to do so... will override Amendment guarantees First... "All subsequent cases have decided to support Universal Life Church as a legitimate and legitimate church establishment. The US military guidebook lists ULC as a recognized church.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was sued in the 1970s, arguing that ULC is not considered a religious group. The lawsuit was settled in 2000 with the church paying $ 1.5 million in tax returns. The IRS has decided in a few years, but not elsewhere, that the church is tax exempt, depending on whether the organization has filed the required annual statements in those years. Most countries recognize the church as a legal entity by extending recognition to its ministers. Not all countries recognize ULC as a non-profit organization; therefore, it is up to each minister to determine his legal standing. ULC assists its ministers who are having problems with being recognized in their state or country of origin.
In 2001, the state of Utah passed a law prohibiting ordination over the internet. Subsequently, the ULC filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of this law, and in 2002 the US District Court ruled in favor of ULC on the grounds that online ordination is no different from ordination by telephone, by fax or by direct, various ordination methods permitted under the law. this law.
According to the organization's website, a legally binding marriage headed by a ULC minister needs a declaration of intent and statement. The ULC license also allows ministers to perform baptisms and funerals as well as the option to start their own organizations legally.
Confidence
Their belief (or doctrine) is expressed as: "Do what is right." The confidence expressed by ULC is:
- Purpose: Immediate Progression.
- Purpose: A Fuller Life for Everyone.
- Slogan: For Live and Help Live.
- Maxim: "We Are One."
Everyone can associate himself with the Church and present ordination as a minister upon approval with his doctrine. The Universal Living Church does not issue ministerial certificates to individuals currently in jail, but others may be ordained ministers.
Denomination
Several other charter and denomination churches or associated with ULC.
Founded in 1977, the Universal Life Church Monument of Seattle, Washington is a branch of ULC led by president George Freeman, and is known primarily for the online ordination program, founded in 1995. The monastery has not been affiliated with ULC since 2006.
ULC Online
Based in Folsom, California, Universal Life Church Online (ULC Online) is authorized by Modesto Central Office to handle official business related to the church. The site accepts ordination applications, offers ministry supplies, organizes a prayer board, and operates a page to convey acknowledgment.
ULC Seminary
A charter church operated by each minister of ULC, "Universal Life Seminary" offers courses describing various spiritual and religious perspectives, while welcoming and affirming people from all belief systems.
Shrine of the Irish Oak
The "Shrine of the Irish Oak" is a small Pagan temple dedicated to the syncretism blend of Celtic and Roman polytheism, founded in 2004 as a church incorpated in the state of Arkansas. They officially rented under ULC Modesto in 2013, and still stated well with ULC H.Q in Modesto.
Dallas Universal Life Church
Dallas Universal Life Church is a modern, nondenominational Christian church that promotes itself as a perpetrator community rather than a speaker.
Authority to reward marriage
A large number of people looking for ULC ordination do so to be able to formally lead at weddings or perform other spiritual ceremonies. This ULC aspect has provided assistance to interreligious couples or same-sex couples who have difficulty in realizing their unity in a religious atmosphere. Some people living in remote areas also use their status as an ordained minister of ULC to meet the needs of the marriage officers of their community. So far, the only country where the highest court has acknowledged the power of a minister of the Universal Living Church to commemorate the marriage is Mississippi. Some countries allow anyone to celebrate marriage. In countries where Universal Life Church officials are not authorized to perform a marriage ceremony, a marriage marriage ceremony by a minister of the Universal Life Church (which is not authorized) may result in a questionable marital validity.
United States
In the United States, the requirement to enter marriage is determined by state law. Courts in New York, North Carolina and Virginia have ruled that, under applicable state law, ULC ministers are not authorized to adopt marriages and marriages in which a ULC minister who is serving is illegitimate. The Law of North Carolina was later amended to validate the marriages made by the ministers of the Universal Life Church before 3 July 1981, and the marriage inaugurated by a ULC minister after that date may be canceled, although fair estoppel may prevent the parties themselves from opposing marriage. Newer New York court decisions, from different court appeals, decide that it is a factual question of whether the ULC is a "church" whose ministers have authority under New York law to celebrate marriage; on the detention, the plaintiff offered no proof, and the New York Supreme Court, which in New York was a court, received evidence of the defendant that ULC conforms to the legal definition of "church" and marriage of the parties, by an official minister, is legitimate. However, the ownership does not bind other courts. A New York County court judge declared in 2014 that a marriage by ULC ministers in New York State is potentially illegal or at least in danger. The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that Mississippi has less stringent laws and admits ULC ministers can legally marry in the state. The lower courts in Pennsylvania have been divided on this issue. In the opinion of Tennessee Attorney General, people ordained by ULC do not qualify under Tennessee law to celebrate marriage.
International
In Canada, ULC ministers are not currently authorized to engage in marriage in any province or region. In countries where ULC ministers have no authority to legitimate legal marriages, ministers must meet other requirements that may include registering as notaries, peace judges or marriage commissioners.
See also
- List of pastors from Universal Life Church
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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