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Life and Death - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Report: Hate Crimes Against Jews and Muslims On the Rise

November 16th, 2023

Statistics show that both the Jewish and Muslim communities in the United States are facing increased violence, discrimination, and harassment as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in the Middle East. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Life and Death | 69 Comments »

New 3D-Printed "Suicide Pod" May Debut This Year

September 14th, 2023

Are 3D-printed suicide pods the way of the future? An Australian scientist dubbed 'Dr. Death' says his 'Sarco Pods', which kill users in minutes with the push of a button, are almost ready for their debut. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 67 Comments »

The 11th Commandment: Love Your AIs as You Love Yourselves?

March 6th, 2023

We have rules for cooperating with our fellow humans, but how does AI fit into the equation? What does living alongside robots look like? Those are the tough questions that faith leaders are grappling with. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Science & Technology, Life and Death | 72 Comments »

Ever Heard of the 'Slave Bible'? How Christians Used the Sacred Text to Support Slavery

October 22nd, 2022

Have you heard of the 'Slave Bible'? Used by Christian colonizers in the British West Indies, this controversial version of the Bible was edited to remove all references to freedom or slave liberation. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian, Life and Death | 40 Comments »

What Is the Day of the Dead and Why Is It Celebrated?

October 20th, 2022

The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday where the veil between our world and the spirit world ceases to exist, and revelers honor the dead with elaborate offerings called ofrendas. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 8 Comments »

Jewish Women Challenge Kentucky Abortion Ban, Citing Religious Beliefs

October 10th, 2022

Three Jewish women have filed a lawsuit challenging Kentucky’s sweeping abortion ban on the basis of Jewish religious teachings. The suit argues that a ban on abortions infringes on their religious rights. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Life and Death | 109 Comments »

California Legalizes Human Composting as Catholics Fume

September 26th, 2022

Californians will soon have another option to consider for their bodies after death: Composting. Gov. Gavin Newsom just legalized human composting, despite the protests of Catholics, who say it's undignified. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 160 Comments »

Pope Francis Apologizes for Catholic Atrocities Against Native Children in Canada

August 5th, 2022

Pope Francis just concluded a six day tour of Canada, where he apologized to Indigenous and First Nations people for the Catholic Church's role in the residential school system. Was his apology enough? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 56 Comments »

Is Abortion a Religious Right? Jewish Congregation Suing Florida to Find Out

June 17th, 2022

A Jewish congregation in Florida is challenging that state's new abortion law on religious freedom grounds. They say that in Judaism, women not only have the right to an abortion, sometimes it is required. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Life and Death | 265 Comments »

Pope Francis Calls for Gun Control in the U.S.

May 27th, 2022

Following the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Pope Francis is saying enough is enough when it comes to gun violence in America. He's arguing that America must institute gun reform to prevent this from happening again. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Life and Death | 219 Comments »

The Universal Life Church Ministries proudly welcomes all who feel called to get ordained, regardless of creed. We enable all faiths; Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Pagan, Wiccan, Atheist – and more – to join our growing non-denominational congregation. Underlying everything we do is a simple core belief: that we are all children of the same universe.