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Progressive Spirituality - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

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. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality | 69 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. Continue Reading »

Posted in: 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? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 79 Comments »

Muslim, Jewish Firefighters Sue Over Facial Hair Policy

December 2nd, 2022

Should Muslim and Jewish firefighters be forced to keep their faces clean, even though their faith requires they wear beards? A group of firefighters is suing over a policy they say violated their freedom of religion. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 72 Comments »

Your Pastor Has Had Enough: Clergy Members Join the Great Resignation

May 17th, 2022

Citing stress, politics, and declining church attendance, some 40% of church pastors recently reported wanting to leave the church. Is the Great Resignation going to sweep straight through church pulpits? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality | 33 Comments »

Satanism 101? Elementary School 'Satan Club' Shocks Parents

February 22nd, 2022

If God can be in schools after hours, why not Satan? Parents in Illinois were shocked when their kids brought home flyers for an after-school 'Satan Club', but The Satanic Temple says their event is perfectly legal. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 207 Comments »

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 | 78 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 | 58 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.