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History Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Ancient Judaism Recognized Wide Variety of Genders, Scholars Say

March 22nd, 2023

Did Jews in the second century have a more nuanced and complex understanding than we do now? Religious scholars say that ancient Judaism recognized eight different genders, far more than the binary view we have today. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights | 24 Comments »

Top 10 Myths About Saint Patrick's Day, Debunked

March 8th, 2023

Saint Patrick’s Day is known for green Guinness, parades, and lots of corned beef. You might think know all there is to know about this holiday's namesake, Saint Patrick. But here’s the thing… you’re probably wrong. Continue Reading »

Posted in: ULC Minister Training & Education | 28 Comments »

Was Christmas Invented by Pagans in Ancient Rome?

December 22nd, 2022

Did you know that the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday around the 25th of December each year? It has some eery similarities to the modern celebration of Christmas, too. Is it possible the Romans invented Christmas? Continue Reading »

Posted in: ULC Minister Training & Education, Christian | 108 Comments »

The Secret Story of the Original War on Christmas

December 9th, 2022

Did you know that the first 'War on Christmas' was started by the Puritans? We may view our seasonal Christmas squabbles as a modern phenomenon, but the Puritans were trying to cancel Christmas all the way back in 1659. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Pagan & Wiccan | 19 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 | 39 Comments »

The Creepy History of Halloween Costumes

October 19th, 2022

Many might believe that the tradition of dressing up in a Halloween costume on October 31st is a modern one, but the roots of Halloween costumes run almost as deep as the roots of Halloween itself. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Pagan & Wiccan | 31 Comments »

Japanese Jesus? Inside the Obscure Legend That Christ Died in Japan at Age 106

April 21st, 2022

The small town of Shingo, Japan, has a strange local legend. They say that Jesus Christ is buried there. As the story goes, he escaped crucifixion, traveled to Japan, and died at the ripe age of 106 in northern Japan. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian | 24 Comments »

Does Getting High Bring Us Closer to God? One Pastor Thinks So

April 1st, 2022

Should Christians try marijuana? One pastor is on a quest to get Christians high, touting the spiritual side of marijuana use. He says cannabis brought him closer to God, and hopes to help others discover the same. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 66 Comments »

Violating "God's Time"? The Religious Fight Against Daylight Savings

March 15th, 2022

Are we violating "God's time" every time we observe daylight savings time? If you curse the time change, you're not alone. Many evangelical Christians were historically against springing forward and falling back. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 37 Comments »

How Shakespeare and Chaucer Helped Create Valentine's Day

February 8th, 2022

How did Valentine's Day go from a violent pagan fertility festival involving whips and sacrifices to the lovey-dovey holiday we know today? We can thank William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer for that. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Pagan & Wiccan | 52 Comments »