Justice Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Should White Christian Parents Be Allowed to Adopt Native American Children?

November 14th, 2022

Should Native American children up for adoption be taken away from their culture and religion? That’s the question at the heart of a monumental Supreme Court case that could reshape how adoption works.

Political & Religious Controversy 102 Comments

Should Churches Pay Royalties for Slave Spirituals? One Congregation Says Yes

January 6th, 2022

Following the police murder of George Floyd in 2020, one Boston church came up with a way to uplift their community by paying 'royalties' every time their church choir or congregation sing a slave spiritual.

Christian 96 Comments

After Praying, Judge Lets Convicted Rapist Off Easy

December 2nd, 2021

Does God have a place in the legal system? A New York judge is drawing criticism for prayed over how to sentence a convicted rapist, before sentencing the young man to eight years probation instead of jailtime.

Political & Religious Controversy 58 Comments

Wrongly Convicted Salem 'Witch' Could Finally Be Exonerated

August 26th, 2021

Over 300 years ago, Elizabeth Johnson Jr. was accused of being a witch, but never officially exonerated. Now an eighth-grade civics class hopes to formally exonerate the last accused 'witch' of the Salem Witch Trials.

Pagan & Wiccan 84 Comments

Trump-Supported Drive In Churches Face Legal Opposition

April 16th, 2020

Drive-in churches are springing up everywhere in lieu of regular church service, and local governments are shutting them down just as quickly. Now the Trump DOJ is stepping in - to defend the churchgoers.

Political & Religious Controversy 30 Comments

Jeff Sessions Announces Religious Liberty Task Force

July 30th, 2018

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced the creation of the “Religious Liberty Task Force,” a new body under the Department of Justice intended to guard against violations of religious freedom. The task force will focus primarily on promoting religious liberty, but critics warn that it crosses the line between separation of church and state.

Political & Religious Controversy 112 Comments

Alaska Prison Forces Muslim Inmates to Eat Pork During Ramadan

June 4th, 2018

A prison in Alaska stands accused of knowingly serving pork to its Muslim inmates during Ramadan. Since the Koran explicitly declares pork forbidden for all Muslims, the prisoners, already fasting for the Islamic holy month, were essentially reduced to a starvation diet.

LGBTQ & Human Rights 100 Comments

"Affluenza Teen" Ethan Crouch Released from Prison

April 5th, 2018

Ethan Crouch, the Texas teen who killed four people while driving drunk back in 2013, walked free this week. His lenient sentence provoked national outrage, and the infamous “affluenza defense” was widely mocked.

Political & Religious Controversy 27 Comments

Texas Judge Insists "God Told Him" Defendant Was Innocent

January 22nd, 2018

A Texas judge is facing calls for resignation over his questionable conduct in the courtroom. Judge Jack Robison reportedly interrupted jury deliberations during a recent child sex trafficking case to insist that “God told him” the defendant was innocent.

LGBTQ & Human Rights 98 Comments

Thou Shalt Not Steal… Unless You’re a Cop

September 15th, 2017

The world’s major religions don’t agree on everything, but there is general consensus on certain core principles. Among them: thou shalt not steal. It’s a fairly straightforward concept: don’t take what’s not yours. However, police don't have to follow these rules.

Political & Religious Controversy 79 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.

Ready to share your thoughts? Click here to log in to your account. Not yet ordained? You can sign up in just minutes by filling out a free ordination application.