Atwater Vitki

Rev. Rattler- so then all Catholic and Anglican and priests can perform absolution, right? What about other minster types like Evangelical, Baptist or Methodist? Looking it up, I find a few varied ref's. Blessing Be,

Absolution question. I know there is a difference between Orders of priests within the Catholic Church. Those who claim a direct descendant blood line from the Apostles and those who are not of that blood line. The Council of Trent declared the right to “forgive man's sins” by the act of the resurrected Christ breathing into the Apostles the 'Holy Ghost'. Does this then mean that only those Priests of the Apostolic blood-line are able to perform absolution? Or can any priest do so? I ask because of the recent “Angel Priest” seen at the scene of the auto accident in Jefferson City, Mo. It has been found out it was a local priest, not an “angel” so that part has been figured out. Refs: absolution: http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=78

and speaking of such.... My wife and I save the "School Points" offered on many grocery products (see below) and if you do NOT save these for your family or local school, I would like to set up a "bulk save program" for us on the forum. PM me for more details, as I don't want to violate TOS by advertising here, and lets see if we can really help someone in great need of the ULC's support. Of course I will verify all records of top count and certified mailing of them to those in need. Blessings of Peace,

As I believe most of us are honored to be a part of Rev. Hensley's vision of free thinking! You're so correct Pete. I would far rather have guidance from a personal experienced individual than from something I can read for myself. I've also found this to be the case of most of us here...personal testimonials and experiences, not rehashed recitals of verses from a book. If a person requires the discipline and formula training of organized religions...great, head on, do well! But let's not confuse the doctrine, tenet or creed of one way to be the only way to enlightenment or leadership of Spiritual needs. I know that 90% of my works are in dealing with people, helping kids understand parents, parents their kids and couples each other. Having a couple rounds of marriage, two kids of my own and 56 years of Life experience and a gentle mannerism of offering them to figure out their own solutions is indeed 180º from pastoral counseling by most churches. If they desire religious counsel, I always refer them to a pastor or priest of their chosen religion. THAT is not my forte. The few "Ásatrú-folk" I've come across, I can help in a spiritual manner....but the main thing is to get the family unit on track first, then let them decide their spiritual needs. Doing it the other way around seems to deflect from the real issues. Simply being baptized and claiming "salvation" does not heal/repair the family and in many cases causes even more animosity than there needs to be. "God"/Creator/The One/The All et al, is indeed a miraculous and wondrous entity, but claiming to have the "only truth" about Him, well a bit hypocritical in my book .... and yes, of course, ..."heal" the person or "save" the person is another chicken/egg conundrum, but I firmly believe only a healthy spirit can become a "saved soul" in a manner of their choosing. I have personally witnessed a family break apart because "Mom" 'got saved' and so thoroughly begrudged the father for not doing so, she divorced ("Do not be unequally yoked") and the kids resented it until one ended up in jail and the other in foster care because they were "incorrigible delinquents". The Dad simply went back to the bottle after 17 months sobriety....but hey, she got "saved"!....Reeeeaaallly? No one on this planet has one scrap of proof regarding "God"...if they did there would be zero debate. That in itself is what gives me firm and confident belief that many paths lead to Him, not one singular road. It has to be in accordance with how a person thinks, not change their thinking to fit doctrine and dogma. Oh geesh, enough rambling, y'all know what I mean...sorry for the soap box, but it is that dang important to me that we each fill the roles our Creator has opened our eyes to...not just one, man-made, hierarchy of authority driven means....and Rev. Hensley made that all possible for so many wonderful, well meaning spirits! Blessings of Peace,

Now I really wish I had a better memory. Shortly after returning from Viet Nam I read a book, written by a self proclaimed Atheist, it recounted more than a dozen similar stories of "miracles" on the battlefield that caused the author to turn to religion. If I recall correctly he became a Methodist or Baptist minster after discharging out of the Marines. I will continue to look for the title and post if I find it. But "miracles" come in so many distinct and ordinary ways also. The religious among us may call it "miracle" while others call it "energy adjusting" or even "designed destiny"....all in all does it matter what the label is? ....does it matter if it comes from "God" or the Universe? ....even from the person afflicted themselves? I don't think label or circumstance matters...it is what it is....something we can't fully explain.........yet! Blessings of Peace,

There was a recent comment on the ULC Facebook site where a gal said she had been told her ULC Ordination was nothing more than a "Box Top ordination". I've written a short missive regarding that..... The ULC is often looked at as being a “cereal box ordination” or “bought credentials” and it is no wonder people, who are threatened by the vision of our founder Rev. Kirby Hensley, would think so. They still buy into the authority of the organized, mainstream religious Church. In reality, there are only twelve people that ever lived that had the “authority”, directly from the Christ (Jesus/Yeshua) to minister His message. Everyone else that came after Paul, Peter, Steven, Timothy et al followed their message and self imposed authority, dogma and doctrine. When the Christ gave the call to minister he picked fishermen, publicans and even tax collectors, as well as an assortment of regular everyday people, to teach his message of Peace and Love. He then instructed them to go forth and teach after his cruel death. In less than three years he crash studied his disciples into a Universal Message, not dogma or doctrine of a corporate organization. “Love each other.” The Christ did not issue credentials or make bold claims of his disciples having spent long, labored years in seminary learning the books of scholars. He taught them His message: Mat 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. In the early days of Christ's gathering up his followers he sought the men who had otherwise little or nothing to do with conforming to the rules and pageantry of the synagogue. Eternal Life had nothing to do with the ritualistic policies of the synagogue nor the long derasha (sermon) meant to instill fear and compliance to the whims of the religious leaders' interpretation of the Torah. As a boy and young man Christ had attempted to get the rabbis to understand that, according to His understanding of the Torah, to no avail. The Christ wanted the people to know that “salvation” came from their personal walk with God, not through their alliance with doctrine and dogmatic compliance with the edicts of men. Two thousand plus years later, we are still battling this ancient institution of organized and formalized religious practices taking precedent over the true calling of the individual's heart. And from my personal beliefs, I'll recall from one of my early Works a similar reference from The Faces of Odin (Codex 8th Century AD) that: “...many good souls are drawn to the runes, few learn them aright. Knowest thou the runes and the Mysteries contained within? Then shoudst thy calling be to them.” No hint of having to agonize through years of apprenticeships, though you'd never get Gild support without it, no “must do” one thing or another, just "read them aright" (know what you're teaching). Simply if it is in your heart to master the runes, you should do so. In short then, as ULC ministers, regardless of our religious teaching or particular Spiritual Path, if we have been called, in our hearts, to minister, it is by the Will of the Universal and Supreme Power we do so, not by the will of men. Whether we follow mainstream religious theology or that of the esoteric Orders, it is our heartfelt commitment to the message that compels us so, not because of the power of organizational leadership to pass judgment on our intentions. This is where organized religion and esoteric groups do have a common ground. If you have need of joining the club, being a legitimate part of their groups or wish to have an academic reference behind your Works, yes, of course there is a standardized protocol within most disciplines. To do so you also have to bend to the standard protocol of dogma and doctrine that applies itself to your discipline. However, to spread the Good News of Christ's words or that of any philosophy or Spiritual Path, you need simple intent. It's all within the scope of what you personally wish to accomplish. As far as the ULC being a “Box top” ordination? I don't think so, the Supreme doesn't work like that. The Spiritual Authority of our hearts will always trump the dogmatic authority of man-made institutions. Let them call us what they like and disparage the Omniscient, that in itself is all the non-credible defamation I need to not hear a word they say. Blessings of Peace,

Perhaps not the "Dark Path" per se, maybe more along the lines of showing us/giving the comparison between the Light Path of Unity and Love and the Dark Path of Fear and Hatred. I totally realize everything eventually balances in the Universe. There are times when I think "it just can't get any worse here" and sure as heck it does, yet other times when I witness the revelations of love and compassion in everyday life. So no, I don't think the purpose is to "make others fearful" - rather to show us the two faces in a comparative manner so to speak. Of course all speculation on my part...ya know...those silly things that zoom through our heads when we wonder! Blessings Be,

"And what we have to recover is our original unity." Absolutely spot on. Merton sounds like quite a fellow, thanks for bringing him to our attention! Blessings of Peace,

Yes indeed, it would be nice to be able to access that tiny point a little more often! Blessings Be,

Believe me Dan, nothing makes me more furious than child or animal abusers. Through the anger and heated exchanges of things in this world it is often difficult to remember "What Would Jesus Do?" or any other peace maker. As a matter of fact, I'd hate to think what would happen to such a person if they were caught in the act by many of our animal lovers here on the forum...I doubt if the cruelty of what happened to that poor pony would suffice to described the encounter. However, that's part of my point. Our knee-gut reaction is "dole out worse" while our Spiritual and "God/Creator" loving Nature should be to dole out justice with love and peaceful intentions. It situations like this that truly test our commitment to His Love. And yes, Pete, I totally agree pointing the blame at the wrong party is another part of this equation. As of right now, no one knows if it's a Satanic ritual or just a twisted vicar acting out. Until the the responsible party(ies) are caught all group labels should be left out of media reports. Blessings of Peace,

Really Dan? Count you out that these perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions and find peace in their minds and hearts. Really? I must say I am shocked. This is not a call for pacifism, it is a prayer that they will be brought to justice and then find the peace the Creator can give....not wipe the slate clean and they continue to do such things. Blessings be,

Bingo Pete. I've told my story on the forum how I was mistaken for a "Satanic worshiper" by members of the LDS because I had "Welcome and Peace to all who enter here!" ("Welcome and Peace to all who enter here!") painted in runes on my front stonewall when I lived in Willow Creek. Their ignorance of my beliefs nearly caused a huge upset within the community if it were not for folks who already knew the truth. Pony mutilation and ritualistic killing is a far greater issue from mere painted rocks, but the results can be even more catastrophic due to the heinous nature of this crime. I'm afraid I know folks who would act first and ask questions later if they even suspected someone of such atrocities as that. Yes, it is indeed so unsettling, not to mention how difficult it is, to ask for prayers of healing for the people involved in that terrible act of vicious cruelty towards an animal... and a pony to boot! However, if we truly believe in and respect Peace, Love and Harmony, we must start somewhere, even with such a terrible thing as this. Whether or not it will truly make a difference, I stopped what I was doing and went to my alter, lit candles and sent an earnest prayer into the Cosmos that these people will be held accountable for their actions and find peace in their minds and hearts....will my single prayer be cause for action? perhaps not. Will prayers from many? Perhaps so. Let us each do what is in our hearts, not minds, to pro-actively and creatively prevent such an egregious act of shear horrific inhumanity from ever happening again. Blessings of Peace, Blessings Be, So Be It (Goodness! This would be such a GREAT planet if it weren't for all the dang people on it!!)

Pete - You are right, disturbing, very disturbing reading. Once again fear based idiotic behavior by the few is being blamed on those we do not understand. The quote by the animal officer "witches or devil worshippers" ? or perhaps just a group of drunk policemen or maybe even a small, disturbed group of malcontented jockeys tired of losing horse races or aliens! That iT! It was the aliens using horse now instead of the cows previously mutilated in the US!....or a sick s.o.b.... or....or....or...??? The bottom line is that until the very sick person or persons involved are found and properly convicted of this cruelty, we'll never know. Perhaps we might ask that everyone, in whatever form of "prayer" they are accustom to, pray for the souls of those responsible that they will soon be held accountable for their actions and be shown the mercy of the magistrate they were unable to afford this poor animal. I agree Grateful, it's very difficult to express "mercy" and not want the same for those responsible...however...well you know what I mean. It is so terribly difficult to express love, compassion and understanding towards those that would do such an inhumane thing to any living creature...maybe our prayer should be they suffer consciousness of their conscience? That those responsible suffer the same shear terror that foal did before afforded mercy. Frankly, just coming in from the garage, it's difficult not to want to use our pruning shears for another form of "growth" and the box of canning jars not be used for another sort of "berry"....(very small "berries" if you ask me on someone able to commit such a horrific act...I think the tiny, ½ cup canning jar would suffice!) Prayers of conscious, Blessings of Peace,