They ordain people as ministers, for free, over the internet. Is there any basis in any religion, or denomination? Does this ordination mean that you don't have to pay taxes if you use your home as a fellowship hall/ religious gathering location?
2007-11-14 07:36:35 · 7 answers · asked by yourdreamhaven 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In a way. They hold to universalism, which is the belief that all religions are true and equally valid. This, however, is something of a paradox.
I know some people will say, "I don't like the idea of only one religion being true". This is nonsense. Nobody really believes every religion is true. Even Universalists believe only in Universalism. Nobody can believe every religion is true. For instance, how do you reconcile Judaism, with its belief in one God, with Hinduism, with its hundreds of deities? How do you reconcile the Buddhist concept of thousands of reincarnations until nirvana with Christianity's belief of one life on earth? How do you reconcile Wicca's refusal to acknowledge the existence of Hell, with the Zoroastrian belief in a Hell? How do you reconcile Christ's teaching that He was "the way, the truth and the light" with Taoism's belief that Lao Tze's teachings are the way (the Tao)? Or how do you reconcile Islam's belief that only Islam is the way with these two?
The disbelief in any kind of absolute truth, moral standard, or spiritual authority is a common occult teaching and is found in many various occult traditions.
The church organization also awards/sells $20 "Doctor of Divinity" degrees. It requires no tests and no studying, and it isn't accredited.
2007-11-16 03:24:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Occult -
1. Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena.
2. Beyond the realm of human comprehension; inscrutable.
3. Available only to the initiate; secret: occult lore. See Synonyms at mysterious.
4. Hidden from view; concealed.
Given the definition of the word "occult" how is the Universal Life Church an occult organization? It looks more to be a bogus organization that takes your money for a piece of paper that states you are an ordained minister. You would no more trust someone ordained this way then you would trust your dentist or doctor getting his/her degree from Walmart.
2007-11-14 07:45:46 · answer #2 · answered by gjstoryteller 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought occult meant hidden. There is nothing very hidden about ULC. The basis of ULC is from Christian teaching, giving what most folks would say is a liberal interpretation, but what I believe is the true interpretation of the words and works of Jesus Christ. Your ordination gives you the priveleges that you can read in the literature that the church gives you when you choose to be ordained. You must consult an accountant or tax lawyer to be sure of having a reasonable basis for claiming exemptions, if you expect to prevail in an IRS audit. The IRS has publications that are not too difficult to decipher regarding the use of your home as a business place, but if you already employ an accountant, I would say that you should ask him/her about it.
2007-11-15 15:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anthony E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is is not "occult" since occult means hidden. It accepts all religions as being a path to Divinity by whatever name you choose to call it. Each state has their own regulations regarding tax exemptions as far as sales taxes go.
2007-11-14 07:40:40 · answer #4 · answered by Keltasia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
definite, you may want to be ordained by ability of the common existence Church. i understand because i changed into ordained by ability of ULC. Your purpose behind doing that is crucial. For over 25 years, I have studied different religions and non secular idea platforms from all over the world. I chosen to be ordained by ability of ULC after checking into it. that's valid, regardless of the actual undeniable reality that those interior the mainstream do no longer experience that that's good in that you do not ought to flow by ability of divinity college to develop into ordained. I took this plan of action very heavily. It turned right into a private and solemn celebration for me. between the justifications I grew to develop into ordained changed into to be able to officiate at weddings. I have finished this two times and characteristic yet another one planned for later this twelve months. ULC also grants classes and many different issues one needs for being a minister. advantages to you.
2016-10-24 05:52:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This wouldn't make it an occult organization, no.
2007-11-14 07:38:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What makes any organization into a cult is that people "think" it is a cult, not because it is!
2007-11-14 07:40:57 · answer #7 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean a "cult"?
2007-11-14 07:41:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋