The Universal Life Church Blog

The Universal Life Church Monastery is the only interfaith ministry worldwide that opens its doors to all who seek to become an ordained minister or wedding officiant. We enable all faiths; Christian, Jew, Mormon, Pagan, Wiccan, Baptists, and Atheists to join our Church. We are a non-denominational congregation of children from the same universe.

Quebec Bans All Religious Symbols and Head Coverings for Public Servants

August 6th, 2019

Quebec's government passed a law banning public servants like police officers, teachers, and other government employees from wearing any kind of religious symbols or headgear. Muslim women say the law unfairly targets them, given the visibility of their hijabs in comparison to other religious headwear or accessories. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 94 Comments »

City Removes "Lord" References From Police Monument

August 2nd, 2019

“Thou shall not utter the Lord’s name in vain” is one thing, but what are the rules for erasing it entirely? That’s the question faced by a South Carolina city that’s still trying to recover from a high-profile controversy involving a memorial to fallen police officers that was installed on city property. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 31 Comments »

Presidential Hopeful Pete Buttigieg Calls Republicans Who Oppose Raising Minimum Wage 'So-Called Christians'

August 2nd, 2019

Democratic candidate for president Pete Buttigieg recently said Republicans who oppose raising the minimum wage are 'so-called Christians'. Conservatives quickly shot back, attacking the South Bend mayor for his sexuality and stance on abortion. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 28 Comments »

New Jersey Becomes Seventh State to Allow Terminally Ill Patients to Legally End Their Lives

August 1st, 2019

This week, New Jersey becomes the seventh state to allow physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. While advocates for death with dignity laws are celebrating a legislative win, the law has some notable opponents- including most religious denominations and the American Medical Association. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Life and Death | 80 Comments »

Religious Survey Says Atheists, Jews Know More About Basic Religious Beliefs Than Christians

July 26th, 2019

A new religious survey from the Pew Research Center shows that atheists and Jews are significantly more knowledgeable than Christians about basic facts about world religions. And shockingly, atheists even knew more about Christianity than Christians themselves in some cases. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 78 Comments »

Female Pastor Ousted After Allegedly Taking Fellow Ministers to Sex Shop

July 24th, 2019

A female pastor at a prominent NYC church was let go after allegedly taking some of her fellow ministers to a sex shop and purchasing sex toys as gifts for them. Her supporters insist that she was actually let go for reporting sexual misconduct by others in church leadership. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 108 Comments »

The "Billy Graham Rule" in Effect in Mississippi Gubernatorial Race

July 23rd, 2019

A Mississippi gubernatorial candidate denied a female reporter the chance to travel with him on the campaign trail, citing the "Billy Graham Rule" - which states that men should not be alone with a woman other than their wife. The denial set off a firestorm in the media, with many decrying the candidate's actions as sexist, and others wondering what the big deal is. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 98 Comments »

Muslim Group Launches Campaign for Time Off Work on Friday for Prayers

July 22nd, 2019

A Muslim group is calling for time off work every Friday afternoon for Muslim workers to partake in their mandatory prayers. That may be a hard sell in the United States, where some employers already struggle to reasonably accommodate Muslim employees' religious needs. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 40 Comments »

#FakeChristian Trends on Twitter After Pence Visits the Border

July 17th, 2019

Vice President Pence recently toured migrant detention centers at the U.S. / Mexico border. After video of Pence's border tour was made available, #FakeChristian began trending on social media, with users calling out the VP for his perceived lack of empathy. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 35 Comments »

Pastor Helping Asylum Seekers Lands on Secret Government Watchlist

July 12th, 2019

A prominent NYC pastor and long-time advocate for immigrant rights is suing the federal government after she was placed on a federal watchlist for conducting ministry work with migrants south of the border. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 106 Comments »