Progressive Spirituality - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Black Hawk Pilot Claims Religious Right to Sell LSD

May 2nd, 2025

A U.S. Army pilot charged with trafficking LSD claims he was using it as a religious sacrament. Is he facing legitimate religious persecution, or is this the trippiest legal defense ever attempted?

Progressive Spirituality 28 Comments

Psychoative Sacrament? Legal Fight Erupts in Utah Over 'Mushroom Church'

March 25th, 2025

A Utah church which consumes psychedelic mushrooms as part of a religious ritual recently had their sacrament seized by authorities. A judge just sided with them, ruling that the law must protect controversial faiths.

Political & Religious Controversy 78 Comments

Do All Dogs Go to Heaven? The Answer Might Surprise You

October 7th, 2024

Do all pets get to go to heaven? There’s actually substantial disagreement on this question. It may also depend on the religion of the person you ask – here's what different religions have to say on the subject.

Progressive Spirituality 112 Comments

Sighting of "Miraculous" White Bison Fulfills Sacred Native American Omen

June 19th, 2024

A white bison calf photographed in Yellowstone National Park is being called a sacred omen by many Native American cultures, including the Lakota people, and being compared to the resurrection of Jesus for Christians.

Progressive Spirituality 50 Comments

Was Jesus Actually a Vegetarian?

March 25th, 2024

"How would Jesus kill an animal? That's the fundamental question asked in a new documentary making the case that Jesus was in fact a vegetarian and would not have endorsed the killing and eating of animals.

Progressive Spirituality 124 Comments

Swapping Religions: Famous People Who Converted to a New Faith

March 15th, 2024

Conversions, born-agains, and secular pivots; Numerous faith leaders, politicians, and celebrities have lost and found faith over the years. Here are some of the most famous religious conversions in recent years.

Progressive Spirituality 72 Comments

Atheists in the Pews? The Rise of the Secular Church

January 29th, 2024

Across the country, secular 'churches' are sprouting up left and right, as nonreligious youth search for community. Some Christians, however, decry these new churches are cheap imitations of the real thing.

Progressive Spirituality 130 Comments

Can Magic Mushrooms Bring You Closer to God? One Church Says Yes

August 11th, 2023

The Church of Ambrosia, based out of California, consumes psychedelic mushrooms as sacrament, arguing the trip is nothing less than a spiritual experience, and they say police are infringing on their religious freedom.

Progressive Spirituality 70 Comments

"Sacred" Whale Sculpture Spawns New Religion in Utah

April 10th, 2023

A 'Sacred Whale' statue in a trendy Salt Lake City neighborhood is being credited with the recent snow in Utah. Is there a connection between the whale and the weather? The Church of the Sacred Whale says yes.

Progressive Spirituality 82 Comments

Are the Holidays Going “Woke” or Getting More Inclusive?

December 19th, 2022

From a Black Santa Claus to a commercialized Target version of Hanukkah, the holidays look a bit different this year. Are these efforts to boost representation “woke” pandering, or simply a step toward inclusivity?

Political & Religious Controversy 79 Comments

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