Carl Harry Carlson

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Everything posted by Carl Harry Carlson

  1. Hello Salem, I am thinking of you and praying for you and rooting for you. The good news - bad news about your situation is, you have plenty of company in today's world. Lots of people have lives disrupted by events these days. Losing stuff is tolerable. Losing pets hurts deeply. Separation from family is difficult even when temporary, especially when you don't know how long "temporary" is. I know someone who was pregnant while she was going through a similar crisis. She chatted constantly with her unborn child, reassuring him everything would be fine. That gave her a lot of comfort. By the way, everything did indeed eventually turn out fine for her. I highly recommend chattting with Wyatt, a lot. It is probably good for both of you! Best love and good vibes to you . Carl
  2. A friend of mine who had prostate surgery recently had a hilarious comment about intelligent design. He said whoever designed the prostate is an idiot.
  3. Rev. Margaret, My estimation is that we are talking about civilizations that have been living for centuries under authoritarian control. Individualism just doesn't seem to be a part of the culture of so many people. In those societies, anyone who dares to think or act differently or who insists on creating their own path are seen as a dangerous threat to society, apparently. Punishment by death is seen as appropriate for any insult to the established way of doing things. Remember, in Afghanistan in 2006, a man was condemned to death by the government for the crime of "apostasy." That means abandoning the Muslim faith. But the criminal was given a chance to live if he went back to his Muslim faith, explained an elder, "because Islam is a religion of tolerance." Once a Muslim, alwasy a Muslim, in these societies, or else. And those are our moderate allies! We are fighting to support them instead of the Taliban! And yes it seems more than a coincidence that the stories that reach us are usually about someone who is a Christian. The man in Afghanistan had converted to Christianity. Whether there is more aggression against Christians, or the story is more newsworthy in the West if the victim is Christian, is hard to tell. Probably both. Outrages that are conducted by Muslims against another Muslim are probably not as newsworthy in the West. Billions of people never got the memo about the Magna Carta or any of the other moves away from authoritarian governance that have happened since in Western society. It will probably take centuries more for the idea of individual human rights to sink in.
  4. Thank you Rabbi O for a truly Universal blessing.
  5. I love that the radio news stations are broadcasting a replay of this, from one of the funnist movies of all time: Robert Hays: "Surely you can't be serious." Leslie Nielson: "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley."
  6. Dan, where did you get this one I wonder: Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. It's very similar to what I was once told: "Happiness is simple: Someone to love, something to do, and a dream that you look forward to"
  7. I love current Halloween practices in this here U.S. of A. It's crazy fun. It is laughing at death and evil spirits and superstition. Vampires and ghosts and goblins and evil spirits don't scare us or our kids anymore, certainly not like other eras. They are simply the things of cartoons and movies and entertainment. When my kids were little, we told them that people actually used to believe this stuff, and be afraid. It opened up discussions about death and why you don't have to be afraid to be in a cemetery. I miss those days when we helped our kids plan their costumes. We can live in a world rather free of irrational fear, if we choose to. And for those of you who are more sensitive to the spirit world, go right ahead. Treat Halloween any way you wish. What a great way to do it, we all get to choose how we observe Halloween, if we do at all. Hmmm. I think I'll go out and get a pumpkin and carve it, and put a candle in it, just for old time's sake. It scares away evil spirits, you know. Or is it an evil spirit itself? Depends on what sort of face you choose to put on it, I suppose.
  8. Well certainly. Anyway I think anyone can preach and call themselves an eveangelist. With your ULC ordination you can call yourself an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. You can legitimately use the term, "Rev." Good luck.
  9. Dear Stormy, My sincerest apologies for not noticing this thread, I just now read of the tribulations you have been going through with your daughter's ovarian cancer. I am so glad your daughter is doing so well. I have to confess the oddest thing. Prayer does make me feel better, instantly. I just said a prayer for you and your daughter. I don't know if it made you or your daughter any better, but it made me feel better! But I hope that if you and your daughter know that I and others are praying for you both, and sending our best thoughts and wishes, perhaps that will make you both feel better as well. Tell her that you have friends you've never met, and we are praying for you both. And I'm one of those people who fall toward the agnostic end of the belief scale. But as they old saying goes, there are no athiests in a foxhole. And I think it's quite all right to be angry with God. He/she/it deserves it sometimes. Best regards, Carl
  10. Hi Trip, I copied this from the state of Illinois web site. You can find the site by googling Illinois vital records - marriage laws . Then read this in Frequently Asked Questions: Who can perform a marriage? To be valid, a marriage must be performed by one of the following individuals: a judge of a court of record or a retired judge of a court of record; a judge of the Court of Claims; the county clerk in counties having 2 million or more inhabitants (Cook County); a public official whose powers include solemnizing marriages; or an officiant performing the marriage in accordance with the principles of any religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe or native group provided that when such principles require an officiant, the officiant be in good standing with his religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe or native group. More than one officiant can perform the marriage. Officiants do not have to reside in Illinois. The person solemnizing the marriage must complete the marriage certificate form and forward it to the appropriate county clerk within 10 days after the marriage is solemnized. A newly married couple is required to file the marriage certificate if more than one officiant is involved and none of the officiants have assumed that responsibility. Looks like you are good to go.
  11. Of course. Haven't you ever heard of a pet rock? If you can get a pet ordained, you can get a rock ordained. I suppose you will have to give your rock a name. How about, "Peter" ?
  12. Kevin, You may want to establish your own church in Ontario, then have the church name you as the minister, authorized to perform the religious rites of the church including weddings. I did this in Michigan, not because the ULC wasn't recognized here, but because I wanted to reassure people I was indeded a minister authorized to perform weddings here in Michigan. In Michigan all I had to do was have 3 people sign and file papers for an "ecclesiastical corporation." I presume there is a similar process in Ontario. Always glad to chat with my neighbors to the south.
  13. Yes, I list them as dependents on my income tax return. And I had them get their ULC ordination. We have more clergy here than a monastery.
  14. Hi Gruffydd Mawr, My sons have Irish ancestors and their family folklore was, one of their ancestors was given ownership of the Hill of Slane, presumably for some great service in some war. The Hill of Slane is said to be where St. Patrick lit a Paschal bonfire, in defiance of a rule aganst lighting other bonfires when a Pagan celebration bonfire was burning. The Hill of Slane is in clear sight of the Hill of Tara, where the Pagan King had his bonfire. The Pagan King was said to have been so impressed that he allowed St. Patrick to continue his conversion of Irish people to Christianity. The ceiling of the Irish Parliament hall has a mural depicting St. Patrick lighting the Paschal bonfire. The Hill of Slane is the site of the remains of an abbey which was said to have been built on the ruins of a Pagan temple. Supposedly 2 large stones in the graveyard date back to the Pagan ruins. It is said that some artifacts on the Hill of Slane date back 5,000 years. Several years ago, we took the boys to Slane to see if any of this was true, and it turns out, the boys had relatives who still owned the Hill of Slane ! They were diary farmers and their cows roamed all around the ancient ruins of the abbey! Tourists who wished to visit the ruins had to step over cowpies to get to it! We became fast friends with the boys' relatives and keep in touch. The family eventually sold most of the land to the Irish government so tourists no longer have to dodge cows and their manure. You can Google the Hill of Slane and get a few more details. Happy what is it? to you too.
  15. Hi Ashennx, I recommend you (and every ULC minister before they perform their first marriage) read the state laws for your state. Of course you are a minister, but you have to make sure you 1: Are familiar with the state's requirements, and 2: You follow them. You need to be confident you are indeed within the law, and you need to have the trust and confidence of the people you are marrying. You can usually find the applicable state laws by Googling them. Best regards.
  16. Hi Goth, My dear next door neighbor is a retired Presbyterian minister. He holds several degrees including a divinity degree from Princeton. He is very kind and polite, and my good friend, but his eyes kind of cross every time I tell him I am going to perform a marriage. I have gotten so many questions about whether or not I am a "real" minister, I created and filed an ecclesiastical corporation here in Michigan (with 2 other people, my wife and a friend; in Michigan it takes 3 people to start an ecclesiatical corporation. It only takes 1 person to start a business entity here.) We signed a 1 page document naming me a minister of the corporation. So now I have a verifiable paper trail, proving my credentials, if I ever need it, in addition to what I originally received from the ULC. That reassures anyone who might hesitate to ask me to marry them because they are unsure of the law.
  17. Well Hooray, but howcome the website says the ULC was established in 1959 ? Shouldn't we have celebrated the 50th anniversary 1 year ago?
  18. Dear no, I googled "Wisconsin marriage laws and got this: 765.16 765.16 Marriage contract, how made; officiating person. Marriage may be validly solemnized and contracted in this state only after a marriage license has been issued therefor, and only by the mutual declarations of the 2 parties to be joined in marriage that they take each other as husband and wife, made before an authorized officiating person and in the presence of at least 2 competent adult witnesses other than the officiating person. The following are authorized to be officiating persons: 765.16(1) (1) Any ordained member of the clergy of any religious denomination or society who continues to be an ordained member of the clergy. So yeh, you are good to go. Be sure to include the title, "Rev." when you sign your name. Regards.
  19. Thank you, Dan. It's important to remember that both ends of the political spectrum can have idealistic objectives. In the heat of debate, it's easy to accuse the opposition of nefarious intentions. That isn't necessarily true. I wish everyone would remember that.
  20. Wow. Thank you, Hex. Thank you, Rabbi O. Count me in. Hex, if that is the definition of a True Liberal, then I really am one. That is truly beautiful.
  21. By Dan's definition of Christianity I am not a Christian. I'm fine with that. I would not care to be a Christian under Dan's definition. I am a Christian under my definition.
  22. Hmmm, I personally am of the opinion that the benefit and the healing power of the touching, and other activities such as prayer, meditation, and ceremonies, have an emotional impact on the participants and that creates a healing influence. There must be scientific studies to support this, but whether there are or not, my own life experience convinces me of it.
  23. Hello, bixpam. I love the U.S. Virgin Islands, I'd love to perform a marriage ceremony there. I clicked around on the internet and found this, from another ministry website: Virgin Islands "Clergymen or ministers of any religion, whether they reside in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the United States may perform marriages. ---Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the clerk of the municipal court which issued the license within 10 days after the marriage is performed. --- For questions see the clerk of the municipal court." I can't guarantee it's accurate, though. But if you contact some of the wedding planners in USVI that are listed on the internet, perhaps they can verify that you can perform marriage ceremonies there. The sites also tell the engaged couples how to get a marriage license. The most tricky part, in my opinion, is there is an 8 day period waiting period while the marriage license application is publicly posted, so forewarn your couple about that, they'll have to send ahead for the application if they don't want an 8 day wait. Ther's no waiting period, apparently, after they pick up the license. Also, divorced people have to provide the authorities with a copy of their divorce decree. Regards.
  24. It's hard to be scared by a horror movie about the supernatural, if you don't believe in the supernatural. I know many Catholics thought "The Exorcist" years ago was soooo scary. A lot of them believe in the stuff in the movie.