Progressive Spirituality - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Does Speaking to the Dead Anger God?

June 4th, 2021

One Christian group recently gave a rather creepy warning: don't try to communicate with the dead. Whether by seance or Ouija board, they say the consequences of trying to make contact with the other side could be dire. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 146 Comments »

Goodbye Jesus: Millennials Dropping Christianity for Astrology, Magic, and Tarot

June 1st, 2021

A new study shows that Christianity is losing ground in a big way with young people, as they embrace alternative ways of looking at the world. Magic, astrology, tarot - Millennials are turning to everything except God. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality | 69 Comments »

Will God Protect the Earth? Evangelicals Spar on Climate Change

April 22nd, 2021

Is manmade climate change a hoax, or science fact? Evangelicals largely don't believe that global warming is real, but some evangelical environmentalists are on a mission to get skeptics to see the light. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality, Christian | 75 Comments »

The Great Christmas Standoff: Jesus vs. Santa

December 14th, 2020

Christmas used to be a holiday solely focused on the celebration of the birth of Christ. But Jesus has been supplanted by a new figure: Santa Claus. Many religious parents struggle with how to handle this reality. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality, Christian | 55 Comments »

Written in the Stars: Can Astrology Explain Our Tumultuous Times?

June 5th, 2020

A meme going around seems to imply that our turbulent 2020 - impeachment, pandemic, racism, civil unrest - is written in the cosmos, discernable by astrologists who understand the zodiac. But is astrology actually real? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality | 41 Comments »

Crystal Healing: Does This New Age Phenomenon Actually Work?

February 26th, 2020

Chances are you've heard of crystal healing: putting different crystals on different parts of your body to cure maladies as varied as anxiety, aches or pains, or lack of libido. Does this New Age technique actually work? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Science & Technology, Progressive Spirituality | 44 Comments »

Satanic Holiday Display Returns to Illinois State Capitol

December 5th, 2019

Back by popular First Amendment demand, the great gift of satanic knowledge will be shared for the second year running at the Illinois State Capitol rotunda. And once again, some religious lawmakers are not pleased. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 50 Comments »

Move Aside Christmas, Here Comes the "War on Thanksgiving"

November 18th, 2019

You’ve heard of the "War on Christmas," but this year the battle has apparently opened up a second front. That’s right: the "War on Thanksgiving" has begun. See what kicked it off, and where we're likely to go from here. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 88 Comments »

The Curious History of All Hallows' Eve and Its Cousin, Samhain

October 18th, 2019

It’s October, which means that almost anywhere you go, you’ll see signs of Halloween. From spooky decorations around the neighborhood, to carved pumpkins adorning front porches, to giant bags of candy piled high in supermarket aisles, it’s impossible to miss the festivities which culminate on October 31st. But why do we celebrate this holiday in the first place? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Pagan & Wiccan, Progressive Spirituality | 106 Comments »

Universal Life Church Sues North Carolina Clerk to Defend Online Ordination

August 27th, 2019

On August 26, 2019, the Universal Life Church Ministries (ULCM) filed a lawsuit against the Register of Deeds for Cleveland County, North Carolina. The suit alleges that this official has unconstitutionally utilized her position to block ordained ministers of ULCM from exercising their religious right to legally solemnize a wedding ceremony. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 10 Comments »